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Dear Volunteers,
Season’s Greetings!!! In this season of hustle and bustle, thank you for remaining commited to your volunteer tasks. During the holidays, when the emphasis is on “giving,” you all have embraced that message by “giving” of yourselves through service.
RSVP gets numerous calls during Thanksgiving and Christmas from people who would like to know where they can help serve a meal. While this is a thoughtful gesture, those eager to help someone should remember that the need to help others doesn’t go away on December 26th! The gift that keeps giving is volunteering a few hours a week all year long. I know I am “preaching to the choir” when I say this, but please remind your family and friends that giving has no expiration date, no fees attached, and the “gift” you receive is the knowledge that you are helping others and thus contributing to the greater good. Thanks!
Now, on the other hand, I have mixed news for you in regard to the 2017 rankings of volunteer participation by state. In 2016, New York was ranked 49th (second to last) with only Nevada ranked the lowest at 50. This year our state comes in at 47 (fourth to last)!!!!! The state coming in with the greatest volunteer participation is Utah. So let’s collectively resolve in 2019 to “talk up” volunteering to all those around us who might not know about RSVP and have some extra time on their hands. If each of us could move someone to give of themselves, what a gigantic step for humanity!
Stay warm and good wishes for a very happy and healthy 2019!
Best,
Pegi Orsino
Executive Director
"Pickles"
