The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is an exciting program for people 55 and above to connect with meaningful volunteer opportunities in their communities, retiring to something not just from something.

The RSVP program was created by congress in 1971 to engage people 55 and older. RSVP recruits and places volunteers in positions with organizations where they can pursue their passion, impart knowledge and build community support.

The program is sponsored by Lutheran Community Services NW, a not for profit, since 1981.

Volunteers provide support to organizations that can’t meet the goals of their programs without volunteers to help them. The benefit for the volunteer is improved social ties, daily activity and improved physical and mental health.  RSVP is undergoing several changes this year. To stay in compliance with the new guidelines from the Corporation for National Service, RSVP is streamlining its volunteer opportunities to fewer sites with higher impacts. The organization will focus on food banks, veterans and military families, gift shops that support the food banks and the hospital, Meals on Wheels, senior services, and Habitat for Humanity to name a few. The goal is to keep as many sites as possible.

If you would like to learn more about various volunteer opportunities visit RSVP at www.unitedwaykitsap.org by following the volunteer links.

The group also has a Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSVPKitsap. Those that are interested can also call 360-377-5511.