Aroostook RSVP honors volunteers for service

by Contributed
1 year ago
Greeting volunteers and other special guests to the 48th annual Aroostook RSVP Appreciation Celebration in Presque Isle were Amanda McKenzie and Brooke Gagnon of the Aroostook Agency on Aging. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – “Let’s Flamingle” was the theme for Aroostook RSVP’s 48th Volunteer  Appreciation Celebration held earlier this summer at the Framework Church in Presque Isle. It  was a chance for organizers — RSVP, AmeriCorps Seniors, and Aroostook Agency on Aging – to  honor the 364 volunteers from Amity to Allagash who in 2022 alone donated over 3,100 hours of service to their friends and neighbors with a monetary value of more than $830,000.

Attending the recent Aroostook RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration were staff and volunteers from the Gathering Place adult day service, from left, Debbie Lamont, Donna White, Jackie O’Clair, Sue Putnam and Marie St. Pierre. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

Sherry Beaulieu, who oversees voluntary services at the Agency on Aging, said the past year continued to be challenging in many ways but highly successful due to the steadfast determination that volunteers showed in serving their Aroostook County neighbors and  friends. 

Over 100 volunteers from throughout northern Maine gathered recently for the 48th annual Aroostook RSVP Appreciation Celebration in Presque Isle, sponsored by Aroostook Agency on Aging. (Courtesy of Emily Thompson)

“The time and talent you contribute helps many of our community partners and stations, to  broaden their resources, and keep their service available in The County. I am so humbled and  in such awe of the gifts you give daily through service to others before self with your incredible  servant’s hearts,” said Beaulieu. 

Assisting with the awards presentation part of the program were Judy Anderson, director of Community and Volunteer Services with the Agency on Aging, as well as Heidi O’Clair Thompson and Cathy Hewitt, volunteer coordinators. 

Caribou’s Betty Rinehart, center, received special recognition during the recent Aroostook RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration for giving 25 years of continuous service as a volunteer at the Aroostook Agency on Aging, as well as the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge at the former Loring Air Force Base. Presenting a gift and flowers are Agency on Aging finance department employees MacKenzie Berube and Clint Deschaine. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

Among those recognized with 2022 Service Awards were: Betty Rinehart of Caribou, 25 years;  and Lottie Doughty of Smyrna Mills, Elaine Malenfant of Caribou, and Jeffrey Packard of Sherman, 10 years. 

Among volunteers receiving honors for five years of service with Aroostook RSVP were, from left, Ginette Rivard of Caribou, Norman Chamberlain of Van Buren, Judy Charette of Ashland, Barbara Robertson of New Limerick, Nelson and Patricia L’Italien of Grand Isle, Rena Cyr of Madawaska, and Ruthann Weeks of Caribou. (Courtesy of Emily Thompson)

Receiving honors for five years of volunteering were Julie Allen, Nancy Ash, Hallie Baker, Jean  Bernier, Laurie Berry, Gisela Blake, Colette Bouchard, Roberta Bouchard, Randy Caron, Norman Chamberlain, Judy Charette, Rena Cyr, Diane Dionne, Pamela Dorta, Kathryn Dyer, Roger Dyer and Peggy Engroff. 

Also earning 5-year certificates were Barbara Gallagher, Harold Gould, Josephine Holmes,  Linda Hubbard, Nelson and Patricia L’Italien, Robert LaPierre, Donna Martin, Rob Meinders, Bernard Paradis, Ginette Rivard, Barbara Robertson, Wendolyn Robinson, Timothy Sides, Susan Spinney, and Ruthann Weeks. 

Named to the 2023 State of Maine Volunteer Honor Roll for devoting over 500 hours of service each were, from left, Falicia Rossignol of Washburn, Bernice Campbell of Oakfield, Patsy Delong of Presque Isle, Lois Bourgoin of Limestone, and Ruthann Weeks of Caribou. Absent for the photo was Nancy Dumond-Violette of Van Buren and Diane Allen of Caribou. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

Seven individuals were added to the Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor for over 500 hours of  service in 2022. They include Bernice Campbell of Oakfield, Patsy Delong of Presque Isle,  Nancy Dumond-Violette of Van Buren, Falicia Rossignol of Washburn, Lois Bourgoin of Limestone, and Diane Allen and Ruthann Weeks, both of Caribou. 

This year’s volunteer celebration and ice cream social was sponsored by MTK Inc. Clark Family  LLC of Garfield Plantation. 

Helping welcome and check in guests to the Framework Church in Presque Isle for the 48th annual Aroostook RSVP Volunteer Appreciation Celebration were Advisory Board members, from left, Rena Kearney, Carleen Elliott and Laureen Carlisle. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

RSVP Aroostook is funded by an AmeriCorp Seniors grant and additional support from United  Way of Aroostook. For more information on how to volunteer with Aroostook Agency on Aging,  call 764-3396 or email to info@aroostookaging.org.