PRESQUE ISLE, Maine –– With the holiday season shifting into high gear, the staff and volunteers of Aroostook RSVP have launched one of their most important fundraisers – the Warm Hand & Feet Knitted Goods Sale. A colorful assortment of items is set up now at the Aroostook Agency on Aging office on Main Street and plans are to kick off the month-long drive with an open house during Presque Isle’s First Friday Art Walk.
On Friday, Dec. 1 from 4-8 p.m., several members of the Aroostook RSVP advisory committee and a few of the knitters who donate their talents and skills to the project, will be on hand with a large display and variety of their creations in the 260 Main St. Artists for Aging gallery. All proceeds will support Aroostook RSVP and its important work throughout northern Maine.
Halina Herzog, manager of volunteer services at the Agency on Aging, said the fall fundraiser is critical to the mission of RSVP whose volunteers serve throughout Aroostook in many capacities. In 2022, more than 360 persons donated over 31,000 hours of time in a variety of ways – from stocking and staffing food pantries, to helping older persons schedule online vaccination and booster appointments or update Medicare coverage. Their gift of time and talents, she added, represents a monetary value of more than $830,000.
“Aroostook RSVP is a proud volunteer-based workforce program that provides and creates volunteer opportunities for older persons wanting to discover ways for doing purposeful work while giving back and making a difference. These volunteers provide a much-needed service to many of our community non-profit service partners like United Way and Meals on Wheels as well as the Agency on Aging,” Herzog said.
The program, she added, is substantially supported financially through AmeriCorps Seniors. “In order for the Aroostook RSVP program to thrive and to continue receiving the AmeriCorps grant, we are required to raise local matching dollars. People who purchase these sought-after items during our Warm Hands and Feet sale can feel really good that their money is going to a meaningful and worthwhile cause,” Herzog said.
Visitors will also be able to learn more about volunteering opportunities in their community and how volunteering enriches the lives of not only those they serve, but also their own feeling of wellness and ability. Members of Aroostook RSVP Advisory Council include Chairperson Carleen Elliott, Vice Chairperson Betty Rinehart, Rob Meinders, Ginny Joles, Rena Kearney, Dottie Wheeler and Keary Johnston.
In addition to the knitted items sale, there is another way to support Aroostook RSVP through an online RADA Kitchen Cutlery Sale (visit https://radafundraising.com?rfsn=3346394.e723ef).
The Aroostook RSVP fundraiser will continue beyond the Dec. 1 Art Walk and through the holiday season. The public is welcome to visit and shop during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Herzog at 207-764-3396 or email to info@aroostookaging.org.
