Attending the meeting and accepting the proclamation on behalf of area service agencies were employees and volunteers of local agencies such as Blueprints and its Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging.
The proclamation states that service agencies address the most pressing challenges facing communities and educate students for jobs, fight the opioid epidemic, respond to natural disasters and support veterans and military families, to name just a few of their many responsibilities.
“Service participants demonstrate commitment, dedication and patriotism by making an intensive commitment to service, a commitment that remains with them in their future endeavors,” the proclamation states.
The proclamation coincides with the nationwide initiative to recognize April 2 as National Service Recognition Day. This initiative is led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs that engage millions of citizens in service each year.
CNCS works hand-in-hand with counties, nonprofits, and other local partners to support high-impact national service at more than 50,000 sites across the country.
Commissioners recognize that CNCS “shares a priority with local leaders nationwide to engage citizens and strengthen communities, and is joining with the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, Cities of Service and local leaders across the country for National Service Recognition Day.”
The proclamation also states that “national service expands economic opportunity by creating more sustainable, resilient communities and providing education, career skills and leadership abilities for those who serve.”
Finally, the proclamation recognizes that national service participants “increase the impact of the organizations they serve, both through their direct service and by managing millions of additional volunteers … national service represents a unique public-private partnership that invests in community solutions and leverages non-federal resources to strengthen community impact and increase the return on taxpayer dollars.”
While presenting the proclamation, Commissioner Blair Zimmerman commended the representatives and volunteers for their efforts in providing services to Greene County residents.
“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners Dave Coder and Archie Trader, we applaud service participants here in our county as well as those across our nation who strive to help others,” Zimmerman said. “It is an honor for us to issue this proclamation and recognize the men and women who are committed to assisting others in need.”
In attendance were Stacy Stroman, Blueprints Director; Bridget Dennison, Blueprints Center Services Manager; Jill Peth, Blueprints RSVP Coordinator; Nancy Riggle, SWPA Area Agency on Aging Greene County Supervisor; Nancy Church, Helene Wilson and Paul Carlson, RSVP volunteers; and Tara Smith, Blueprints VISTA Project Communication Coordinator.
Peth thanked the Commissioners and said that by issuing the proclamation they “highlight the importance of citizen involvement, recognize the dedication of national service members, and inspire more residents to play a part in their communities.”
Peth said Blueprints was awarded the Senior Corps’ RSVP grant in 2017, and since then, 89 RSVP volunteers have enrolled to serve in Greene County, providing support to residents and improving their quality of life. RSVP volunteers are serving as telephone reassurance callers, home delivered meals drivers, and food pantry workers to name a few.
Riggle explained that the Greene County office of SWPA Area Agency on Aging partners with Blueprints to offer programs and services that addresses the needs of area seniors.
“We are thrilled to be working with Blueprints in identifying the needs of our seniors and then initiating programs that address those needs,” Riggle said. “We always try to come up with ways to better serve our seniors … this is truly a successful partnership.”
Peth said there is currently a need for volunteers to assist with the Home Delivered Meals program, which Peth said provides nearly 57,000 meals per year to area seniors.
For more information about senior services and program, or to find out how to become a volunteer, call Blueprints at 724-852-2893 or SWPA AAA Greene County at 724-852-1510.
IN THE PHOTO:
Pictured (l. to r.): Commissioner Dave Coder and Archie Trader; Jill Peth, Blueprints RSVP Coordinator; Tara Smith, Blueprints VISTA Project Communication Coordinator; Helene Wilson, RSVP volunteer; Stacy Stroman, Blueprints Director; Paul Carlson and Nancy Church, RSVP volunteers; Commissioner Blair Zimmerman; Bridget Dennison, Blueprints Center Services Manager; and Nancy Riggle, SWPA Area Agency on Aging Greene County Supervisor.