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tion on disaster prepared-
ness. Of these, 85% in-
stalled at least 1 fire
alarm in their home and
36% indicated they es-
tablished a “go kit” in the
event of a disaster.
Because of you, 49 stu-
dents received tutoring or
mentoring during the
school year. Of these,
82% of the students im-
proved academic perfor-
mance and 65% were
promoted to the next
grade level.
Because of you, Colum-
bus County is a great
place to live!
W e are excited about
the accomplish-
ments in 2014!
This program year, 364
volunteers reported 79,903
hours of volunteer service!
That told us you are com-
mitted to volunteer service
and supporting our non-
profits and public schools.
At the recognition event
in May, we tried to rein-
force the fact that what you
do each day makes a tre-
mendous difference to
those around you. Because
of you, 62 economically
disadvantaged individuals
received handicapped
ramps. Due to this addition,
the senior citizens and
their families were able
to safely enter the home.
Because of you, 3,166
participants were served
at congregate meal sites.
Due to this service, 99%
of the seniors were able
to remain safely in their
homes.
Because of you, four
sites around Lake
Waccamaw and two
sites along the 16.6 mile
stretch of the River in
Columbus County were
monitored.
Because of you, 138
individuals received
comprehensive instruc-
VOLUNTEERS, THE OF RSVP
WHAT’S NEW?!
We won the national competition to continue to host RSVP in Columbus County! As we mentioned in last year’s annual report, beginning in April 2015, you will see a few exciting changes in RSVP. Our focus for 2015 will be on our children and senior adults.
Did you know that just 45
minutes, twice a week, listening to a child practice their reading increased their reading comprehension?
Did you know that checking in with a homebound senior citizen, whether with a visit or a phone call, resulted in them living longer and safer in their own home?
Did you know that Lake Waccamaw is one of the
COLUMBUS COUNTY RSVP
ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 1, 2014 ~ MARCH 31, 2015
RSVP STAFF
Dr. Melody Prevatte Volunteer Services
Director
Mrs. Sue Bell Program Assistant
Ms. Elizabeth Chase Recruiter
INSIDE
RSVP
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2
SPECIAL MOMENTS 2
PARTNERSHIPS 3
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
3
TO HELP
EXPLAIN . . .
4
RSVP M ISSION &
CONTACT INFO
4
most unique bodies of water in the world, has species of animals found nowhere else on the planet, rare plants and endangered animals. To keep this treasure healthy, residents need to become involved in protecting this valuable water source and to educate others.
We are looking for more volunteers to help in these specific initiatives. Please help.
2015 Recognition Luncheon theme: Volunteers, the Heart
of RSVP
PAGE 2 ANNUAL REPORT SPECIAL MOMENTS
Some of these terrific photos of RSVP volunteers were taken by Herb Harp. To see more of his work, go to http://www.herbharpphotography.com
Herb Harp passed away in January and is sincerely missed!
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES … WE NEED YOU!
Many of our children are not
succeeding in reading and math.
Data from ncreportcards.org re-
flects our public school children
are not demonstrating adequate
student performance. For grades
3-8, only 32.4% of County
School children, 42.2% of White-
ville City Schools children are
demonstrating success in reading
as compared to 43.9% statewide.
Reading Buddies are needed.
Kindergarten through sixth grade
will be targeted for a reading
buddy. You can serve at school,
in after-school activities, and as
positive role models. Math tutors
are also needed.
Due to the lack of affordable
public transportation, some are
unable to access social services,
medical facilities, congregate
meal sites and food banks. Sen-
iors age 60+ represent 23% of
Columbus Co. population. Pov-
erty rates have climbed to an
alarming 23% (compare to na-
tion’s 14.3% and state’s 16.1%).
The poverty rate in the county
has been above 20% for the last
four consecutive census periods.
Homebound seniors need help with
activities of daily living: compan-
ionship to fight off loneliness and
isolation, understanding Medicare,
safety checks to identify/prevent
elder abuse, home repair, and
transportation assistance. These
activities greatly improve the
chances that a person can remain
living independently in their own
home.
To help citizens better under-
stand local water quality in their
watershed, to establish trends and
to identify pollutants that may be
impacting these local waters, vol-
unteers are needed to assess water
quality conditions and track
changes over time and space. We
have a pressing need for volunteers
to serve at Babson’s Landing and
Pireway.
Columbus Co. residents are woe-
fully unprepared or do not know
how to respond in the event of a
disaster. Volunteer trainers and
training participants are needed
for this life-saving initiative.
APRIL 1 , 2014 ~ MARCH 31 , 2015
Partnerships continue to
be the foundation for
RSVP programs and
initiatives.
In addition to 364
volunteers and 80
volunteer stations, we
have strong relationships
with the following
partners. Please thank
them and support them
throughout the year.
PAGE 3
Herb Harp Photography
All of these areas have been
identified through research as
needed and necessary for the
residents of Columbus County.
RSVP will be tracking the en-
hancement of the quality of life
for the senior citizens served,
the children that are tutored,
water quality in and along the
Waccamaw River, and partici-
pation in disaster preparedness
training and activities. To meet
these challenges, we need your
help. You can help by actual
participation in one or more of
these activities and by recruit-
ing friends and family mem-
bers you know would enjoy
this type of service.
The RSVP staff is looking
forward to sharing with you the
positive and measureable im-
pact that you are having with
our citizens and our environ-
ment. Look for these results in
next year’s annual report!
Trinity Baptist Church, Whiteville
TO HELP EXPLAIN . . .
Southeastern Community College 4564 Chadbourn Hwy
P.O. Box 151 Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 642-7141, ext. 294 Fax: (910) 641-3962
Email: Melody.Prevatte@sccnc.edu
Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid
Whiteville, NC 28472 Permit No. 53
An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution
375 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $225.
Columbus County
The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides opportunities for people aged 55 and over to make a difference in their community through volunteer service at non-profit organizations, public agencies, and public schools.
Every minute you volunteer is extremely important. Please continue to fill out and send in your volunteer time sheet each month.
Columbus County RSVP is proud to be sponsored by Southeastern Community College, the Columbus County
Board of Commissioners, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
...the changes in RSVP that began in April 2015, the RSVP Staff will be hosting a series of lunch and learn sessions. At these sessions, the chang-es will be discussed, why the changes were made, how it was determined to address the community needs that are being addressed, and how you are needed in this process of change and growth.
The lunch and learn series is appro-priate for all RSVP volunteers and our community partners.
Our goal is for this time together to
be informative, encouraging, and an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers.
To make these sessions successful, we will need you to call and reserve lunch. There is no cost to partici-pate.
One session each month will be held at Southeastern Community College during July, August and September .
Interested? Call the RSVP Office and reserve your seat today!
How the RSVP Program is
viewed?
Volunteer station managers
reported 100 percent of the
RSVP volunteers have the
knowledge, skills, work/life
experiences to perform their
volunteer service.
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