RSVP

United Way of Wyandotte County

434 Minnesota Avenue

P.O. Box 17-1042

Kansas City, KS 66117

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 388

KANSAS CITY, KS

RSVP 101 Training

Thursday, October 27th

RSVP will be hosting an orientation training on

Thursday, October 27th from 10:30am-Noon

United Way of Wyandotte County

434 Minnesota Ave., KCK 66101

RSVP 101 will cover details of the RSVP program, benefits of volunteering, and

ways to maximize your volunteer experience. We’ll also answer questions and

discuss ideas for future events. Join us to learn more about RSVP and meet

other members. This will be a fun training and is open to both new and

current members. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today by contacting

Chrissy at 913-371-3674, ext. 1321 or ccarver@unitedway-wyco.org

RSVP News Fall 2016

Respond to the Call and Lead With Experience!

Volunteer Spotlight: Richard Vogel Richard has been volunteering for a long time, but

when his wife passed away in 2014 he focused

his energies on helping others at Cancer Action.

He volunteers his time providing a friendly face,

kind words, and safe rides for people to

appointments and to pick up supplies 2 days a

week. He has this to say about his volunteer

experience; “I saw the need for keeping busy and

helping people with rides. It’s been a real

pleasure meeting and helping people however I

can. People are so appreciative because they

otherwise do not have a way to get to their

treatments.” Richard has been a big help for Cancer Action and

people who utilize their services. Cancer Action has recently

moved to a new location in KCK at 3730 Metropolitan Ave. and

could use more volunteer drivers like Richard. If you can help, call Shirley Gibson at (913) 642-

8885. Be sure to check inside this newsletters for more ways to get involved in the community.

RSVP volunteer, Richard Vogel shares his care for

others by giving the gifts of kindness and transportation.

Nearly 200 volunteers helped during 3 days to set up, assemble backpacks,

and assist with the Back To School Fair event the beginning of August.

A big THANK YOU to all the RSVP

volunteers who participated in the

annual Back To School Fair! Your

helping hands truly made this year’s

event a success. With your assistance,

3,000 backpacks of school supplies

were available for kids, numerous sports

physicals and immunizations were

given, and 75 students received free

haircuts. Thank you for making it

possible for kids in the community to

start the school year off right!

Beginning in 2002, family members who lost loved ones in the 9/11

attacks began to seek a forward-looking way to honor the sacrifice of

those lost and pay tribute to those who rose up in service. Their efforts

inspired a tradition of engaging in charitable service on 9/11. Millions of

Americans have since volunteered on the anniversary of 9/11 as a productive and respectful way

to commemorate the tragedy and provide compassion and

action to help in the community and spread good will.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and also

coincides with Grandparents Day. RSVP encourages you

to participate in the September 11th National Day of

Service and Remembrance & Grandparents Day with your

family and grandchildren. You can contribute in many

different ways from visiting or calling a neighbor, helping

collect food for a local pantry, baking cookies for a church

event, or making a small repair in your neighborhood. The ways you can help are endless! If you’d

like more ideas on how you can help, call 913-371-3674 ext. 1321.

Have you heard of a “selfie”? Selfies refer to

turning the camera on yourself and taking a picture.

Selfies also have a cousin called “HELPIE.” A

HELPIE is turning the camera on yourself and

taking a picture while you are helping volunteer.

RSVP is asking you to join the fun and take a photo

while you are volunteering. You can take the pictures or ask someone else to take a

photo of you in action. Grab your phone or

camera and start snapping your HELPIE

pictures. Remember to get creative and have fun

with posing! Send in your photos by e-mail to

ccarver@unitedway-wyco.org by October 20th.

We will share any HELPIES we receive in our

next newsletter.

A Day of Remembrance & Doing Good Deeds

Join the “Helpie” Movement!

KCK Farmers Market: Sundays—4020 Rainbow Blvd, KCK (10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Tuesdays—2220 Central Ave, KCK (7:30 a.m. to sellout) Wednesdays—6th & Barnett, KCK (7:30 a.m. to sellout)

Thursdays—Campus Blvd & Argentine Lane, KCK (7:30 a.m. to sellout)

This fall enjoy fresh food at local farmers markets. Most farmers markets will be open until the end of September or October.

Adventures in Learning:

September 16th at Grace Lutheran Church—3333 Wood Ave, KCK

Adventures in Learning is a monthly learning series sponsored by Shepherd’s

Center of KCK and held the third Friday of every month at Grace Lutheran Church.

In September, RSVP will be one of the featured topics for the day. This is a great

opportunity for you to come and hear about the latest volunteer needs in the area,

or to bring a friend to learn more about RSVP. For more information and to register

for this event, please contact the Shepherd's Center of Kansas City Kansas at

(913) 281-8908.

Brownbag Lunch Series:

September 28th at Landon Center—3599 Rainbow Blvd, Rm 200, KCK

The Brownbag Lunch Series is sponsored by the Landon Center on Aging and is a

lunch and learn on topics relating to seniors. On September 28th, RSVP & Foster

Grandparents will present on the topic “Insider Tips on Volunteering.” Just bring

your own lunch and enjoy a fun presentation about volunteering from noon-1:30

p.m. Space is limited, call Matt Chandler at (913) 588-3094 to reserve your space

now.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Program:

Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 1-2 p.m. beginning Sept. 27—Wyandotte United

Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave, KCK

The goal of the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Program is to provide safe, structured

and effective exercise to target strength, balance and flexibility for older adults. The

program is 8-weeks long and meets twice a week for 1-hour classes. Classes include

warm up, strengthening exercises, and cool down. The program is sponsored by the

K-State Research and Extension Office in Wyandotte County along with the

Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City Kansas. For more information and to register,

call (913) 299-9300.

Keep your mind &

body active with

upcoming

community events!

10 Volunteers Kansas City Kansas School District has identified 2

elementary schools that need extra help this school year. They are:

Douglass Elementary (1310 N. 9th St, KCK) and New Chelsea Elementary

(2500 Wood, KCK). Duties include helping in the classroom, being a

lunch buddy, or assisting students with school work. Times & days vary.

Contact: Tina Richardson (913) 627-2631

10 Volunteers to help lead civic lessons Junior Achievement of

Greater KC is looking to fill more classrooms in Wyandotte County with

volunteers. Volunteers will guide lessons on financial literacy,

entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. Time commitment average

1 hour a week for 6-8 weeks during the school year.

Contact: Cait Sojka (816) 561-3558 Ext.18

3 Volunteers for thrift store assistance Vaughn Trent’s Hidden

Treasures Thrift Store is looking for a few helping hands to run the

cash register and price and sort donated items. Shifts are flexible during

the week between 10 a.m.—5 p.m. and can be tailored around a

volunteer’s availability. Contact: Rachael Nickerson (913) 441-0461

2-4 Volunteers Heartland 180, Inc. is looking for a facilitator and

several support volunteers for their afternoon programs during the school

year. Programs teach middle and high school students character building

and life skills and take place at Northwest Middle School (2400 N. 18th St,

KCK) between 3 p.m.—6:30 p.m. Contact: Max Mendoza (913) 293-8371

Call RSVP When:

Your address, phone number, or volunteer status has changed

You have questions about volunteer opportunities

You have stories to share about your volunteer experience

You belong to a club or group that would like us to speak about RSVP

Reminder: Timesheets for July-September

are Due Oct.10th!

(913) 371-3674 ext. 1321

Our partner stations are looking for volunteers to fill needs in

their organizations all the time. Below are just a few of the

current volunteer positions that need to be filled. Take a

moment to look over and consider helping today. You may call the number listed or the

RSVP office at 913-371-3674 ext. 1321 for more details.

3 Volunteers to read to kids Bonner Springs Elementary is looking

to fill 3 more positions helping their 2nd grade students with reading and

sight words on Tuesdays from 9-10 a.m.

Contact: Gretchen Peirsol (913) 441-1777

2 Volunteers for office help Cancer Action has a new location and is

looking to fill 2 positions helping in their office. Coverage on Thursdays is

their greatest need. Duties include answering the phone, looking up names

on the computer, and greeting clients. Flexible shifts available on Thursdays

between 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m. Contact: Shirley Gibson (913) 642-8885

2 Volunteers for office help The Unified Government is looking for a

few friendly faces to assist with greeting and welcoming clients & answering

phones in one of their departments. Shifts are flexible during the week and

can be tailored around a volunteer’s availability.

Contact: Courtney Sachen (913) 573-5664

10 Volunteers to help elderly Shepherd’s Center of KCK & Catholic

Charities of Northeast Kansas are both looking to expand their programs

assisting homebound seniors with transportation, visits, and friendly check

up calls. Time commitments vary depending on how you can help.

Contact: Melissa Bynum at Shepherd’s Center (913) 281-8908 or

Betsy Holzworth at Catholic Charities (913) 433-2000

5 Volunteers to tutor kids The Learning Club of KCK is looking for

several people to assist kids with their reading and homework after school.

Times are in the afternoons during the week at various locations.

Contact: Brad Grabs (913) 244-5838

More ways to help on the next page!