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Denton, Texas (November 5, 2009): One in 8 Americans is age 65 or older, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates also indicate that the total number of Americans age 65 or older will increase from 35 million in 2000 to 71 million in 2030.*

As the number of older Americans continues to grow, the services of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, are more valuable than ever. RSVP was created with the central belief that senior volunteers are valuable resources whose talent, wisdom and experience can be utilized to create safer, healthier and stronger communities. The agency, which has been active in Denton County for more than 30 years, has around 1,100 volunteers serving at over 200 agencies throughout the county.
 
Diana Corona, RSVP executive director, believes that both the community and the volunteer benefit from utilizing the knowledge and expertise of area seniors and retired persons, making it a “win-win situation” for all.

“As you age, you start losing your siblings, family members, best friends, and colleagues from work,” Corona said. “You start to notice that you’re alone. RSVP allows our volunteers to get out of their homes, puts them out into the community and gives them that purpose in life.”

RSVP volunteers have been vital to the success of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is a collaborative initiative designed to promote financial stability among low-to-moderate income families and individuals in Denton County. VITA sites offer free income tax assistance and promotion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In 2007, RSVP volunteers assisted with 26 tax returns, and in 2008, that number jumped to 193 tax returns. The total EITC refund in 2007 was $2,544, compared with a total refund amount in 2008 of $61,021.

“RSVP has a very strong commitment to the VITA sites, and I feel that if it weren’t for our volunteers, it wouldn’t have happened,” Corona said. “We were brought into the financial stability partnership with United Way from the very beginning and our volunteers were recognized for their capacity to help with that. It is so important to recognize the talent of older adult volunteers and to put them in leadership positions.”

In addition to contributing heavily to the success of the VITA sites, RSVP volunteers participate in programs such as Seniors for Childhood Immunizations, which utilizes RSVP volunteers to increase awareness of the importance of childhood immunizations through hospital room visits and immunization reminders; Rockin’ Readers, in which volunteers read to kindergarten and first grade classes on a regular basis; and the West Nile Virus education program, which utilizes a trained task force in disseminating information about West Nile virus prevention.

Contributions to United Way of Denton County help support the work of RSVP and 25 other partner agencies that directly serve the community. Donations made through workplace campaigns are then allocated directly to the agencies by United Way volunteers. Payroll deduction is an easy way to demonstrate your support of agencies like RSVP and the work it does in the community.

“When you give to United Way, you are sending a message that you value an older adult and you value their contribution to the community,” Corona said. “Especially given our close involvement over the past three years with the VITA sites, I have felt a really strong partnership with United Way because of what we have to offer. It goes beyond giving dollars. It is a validation of what our volunteers are doing for the community.”

For more information on United Way of Denton County, its 26 partner agencies, and how you can get involved in an employee campaign, call 940-566-5851 or visit www.unitedwaydenton.org.

*U.S. Census Bureau. International database. Table 094. Available at http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/natdet-D1A.html.

United Way of Denton County is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good life. Through the work of our partner agencies, it is our goal to: help families have financial stability, build healthy communities and help children and youth achieve their potential.