NEWS RELEASE

For additional information, contact:

Jeff Paterson, APR

Director of Communication and Advancement

Office:     716-285-8224, ext. 234

Cell:       716-990-6178

Email:      paterson@hanci.com

RSVP welcomes new volunteers during National Volunteer Week

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., April 11, 2011 – President Barack Obama has declared this week as National Volunteer Week. RSVP, a volunteer program that includes more than 700 older adults across Niagara County, is inviting people to celebrate the week by getting involved in volunteer service.

“Today, as many Americans face hardship, we need volunteers more than ever,” said President Obama last week as he declared April 10 – 16 as National Volunteer Week.

In response to the president’s proclamation, the RSVP program is inviting people age 55 and older to make contact and learn about the many volunteer opportunities available in Niagara County. RSVP volunteers currently help at schools, food pantries, museums, home-delivered meal programs, Habitat for Humanity, and many other places. RSVP offers partial mileage reimbursement, recognition events and liability insurance to its volunteers. Volunteers can offer as many or as few hours as they want to, and no long-term commitment is required.

Anyone interested in serving through RSVP should contact the program at 285-8224, ext. 216, or volunteercenter@hanci.com.

“Some of our RSVP volunteers serve here and there on short-term projects when their schedules allow,” said Michele Long, director of the Volunteer Center at HANCI. “Other RSVP volunteers keep a regular schedule. It’s all up to the volunteer. The important thing is to get out and make a difference in the community.”

Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, RSVP is sponsored locally by the Health Association of Niagara County, Inc. RSVP receives additional funding from the New York State Office for the Aging and the United Way.

#     #     #