[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM [RSVP] OF WATERLOO, 
                                   IA

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program [RSVP] in 
Waterloo, IA. This program is celebrating 25 years in their community, 
this year of 1997. In the last 25 years, over two million volunteer 
hours have been donated to the communities it serves. Among the 
recipients of these hours have been children, teachers, elderly, 
handicapped and a variety of service and community agencies. Some of 
the many community needs RSVP is assisting with are mentoring, 
assisting teachers, clerical, carpentry, transportation for the frail 
and elderly, mediation, respite care, tax preparation assistance, bulk 
mailings, money management, etc. The needs are as diverse as the 
volunteers themselves.
  This RSVP program started out as a clearinghouse for volunteers and 
now includes sponsoring several programs of its own: a mediation 
program that assists with the small claims courts; a school volunteer 
program that provides mentors and other volunteers to assist with 
student needs; a money management program that helps individuals remain 
independent in their own homes; a respite program that provides relief 
to care givers; and a tax assistance program that provides tax 
preparation assistance to the low income and elderly.
  RSVP provides challenging volunteer opportunities to those 55 and 
older. At the same time meeting many community needs through the 
dedication of their unselfish volunteers, who have proven to be a 
valuable asset to the communities they serve.

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