Retirees Can Still Make a Difference – Sept. 2014

Senior Hub’s 10th Annual Community Yard/Craft Sale Sept. 13 at Water World 8am-4pm. The sales spaces are (3 adjacent parking spaces) and rent for $35 ($50 after Sept. 5). Call today 303-426-4408.

SWAT (Schools Where All Thrive Tutor/Mentor Program): Only 2 hours per week are required, but you can make a huge difference in the success or failure of young students. Teams of volunteers work with 2nd or 3rd grade students behind in reading in school districts Adams 1, 12, 50 and Brighton 27J. We need an additional 30 volunteers this school year. Please help us! We’re currently planning training sessions for new volunteers. Call Ron Ausmus at 303-426-4408 or rausmus@seniorhub.org today.

Military Veterans Health and Help Squads: A program for older (55 or older) military veterans and/or their spouses. Squads of 4-5 vets/vet spouses share short weekly phone visits with the members of their squad and let them know someone cares and is thinking about them. They could also meet to help with activities, share a meal or attend an event together. To be placed on a squad, you complete an RSVP enrollment form to help us assign you and tally your monthly hours as a squad member (requirement of our federal RSVP grant). We ask for an “enlistment period” of 3-6 months so squad members will have time to build friendships. We’ll provide conversation tips. Tell your other vet friends so they can join your squad with you. Also tell veterans groups you know. To join a Health and Help Squad call (303)426-4408 and ask for Tom.

Volunteer for the Adams 12 Totes of Hope Program-The program helps to alleviate child hunger by providing nutritional support over the weekend and during school holidays to children who are either homeless or from low-income families facing food insecurity. They get a 9-10 lb. backpack which typically includes: breakfast items, fruit, vegetables, entrees and healthy snacks. Food Bank of the Rockies generously donates food for the backpacks. Approximately 1,000 children at a number of Adams 12 schools serving homeless children and children from low-income families will be helped. Volunteers will meet twice a month on Wednesday mornings between 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 10 to pack the backpacks. Location: Adams 12 Education Support Center at 1500 E. 128th Ave. in Thornton. At least 30 volunteers are needed. RSVP is helping to coordinate volunteers. For information and to volunteer contact Tom Rapp at 303-426-4408. Call today!

Disaster Preparedness Team: Team members tell the public and especially senior citizens how to prepare in advance for natural or other disasters, and discuss steps to take after they happen. We need several more helpers, and we also need groups and places that want this information. Call RSVP for details.

Other needs: (Call for a list.) General volunteers in schools besides the SWAT Program mentioned above; Senior Hub Meals on Wheels, Aurora MOW and Brighton MOW drivers are needed. Senior Hub needs a Food Pantry Assistant 4 hours twice a week. Senior Hub Adult Day service needs helpers at mealtimes and to help with activities during the day. Additional needs: Community garden helpers; in-home/respite care; helping at food banks; serving congregate meals; serving in hospitals; helping in senior centers; serving on boards and agency committees. Call us to discuss these and many other volunteer opportunities. Find us on Volunteer Match as well.

Yarn Needed: Donate 4-ply non-wool yarn so our volunteers can make lap robes for nursing homes etc.

By Tom Rapp, Director Adams/E. Arapahoe RSVP at Senior Hub, Inc.
Adams/E. Arapahoe RSVP places volunteers 55 and older in locations across Adams County and Arapahoe County (east of I-25). Call 303-426-4408, or e-mail trapp@seniorhub.org for information.