Senior Volunteers Honored
Annual RSVP Recognition Brunch Celebrates Volunteerism

By Jim Evans

The 10th Annual Recognition Brunch for the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and its auxiliary organization the Retired & Senior Volunteer Patrol attracted almost 700 seniors — including several from Ramona — on June 16 at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center to recognize the most outstanding senior volunteers for 2004. Almost two dozen exhibitors also participated this year.

Presenting sponsors of this year’s event were ACS State & Local Solutions and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E); supporting sponsors were the Barona Band of Mission Indians and California Department of Corporations (SAIF); and the presenting sponsor was Viejas Enterprises.

RSVP Manager Sandy Lawrensen’s opening comments set the stage for this spectacular event, and Assistant RSVP Manager Bob Maass — the original “Mr. Nice Guy” — once again served as the popular and personable master of ceremonies.

Henry Coronado of Lutheran Social Services and Caring Neighbors was honored as Volunteer of the Year; Mike Sole of the Chula Vista Police Department’s Senior Volunteer Patrol received the Public Safety Award; Ross Davis of the San Diego Aerospace Museum accepted the Leadership Award; and C. Renell Nailon received the Advisory Council Award. Accepting the Station Award for the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum was Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Switzer.

The top 25 senior volunteers were honored for the number of hours they contributed in 2004. Topping the list for the second year in a row was Aurora Ortiz with a remarkable 5,077 hours (all verifiable) — the equivalent of 98 volunteer hours a week! But even more remarkable than the number of her volunteer hours is that Ortiz is totally blind — truly an inspiration to everyone.

Yours truly (yes, that’s me) was the guest speaker at this year’s brunch preceded earlier by an inspirational message from Director of Aging & Independence Services, Pam Smith.

This year’s entertainment was provided by the ever-popular Parasol Strutters, the extraordinary Moonlight Seranade Orchestra playing big band music of the 40s and 50s, the talented San Pasqual Academy Comedy Improv Team, remarkable child singer and performer Keilani Joy Spahn, and organ maestro Howard McCullough of Howard’s Keyboard Gallery.

It was an occasion to be remembered recognizing the more than 2,000 senior volunteers in San Diego County for their service and commitment during the past year — volunteers who dedicated more than 450,000 hours to nearly 200 local organizations! RSVP volunteers enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference, building stronger and safer neighborhoods, and getting back even more than they give. This was their day in the sun.

For information about becoming an RSVP volunteer, call (858) 505-6399.

Clockwise are Jim Turnbull, Sam Tellison, Bill Lawler, Bill Hicks, Bob Runyon, “Dave” Davis, Emily Macon and Don Sweet.

Photo Courtesy of Bob Taylor