2 13 08 RSVP Budget ReportRSVP
350 North Grandview Avenue
Dubuque,towa52001-6392
563.589.26;;
sponso~•ed by Tke Fi~ilcv Hos~ita!
February 12, 2008
City Council Members
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13`~ St.
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Dear City Council Members,
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My name is Deb Bell, I am the Director of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dubuque
County. I apologize for not being here in person tonight.
Thank you considering RSVP in the city's budget for fiscal year 2009. This funding is essential for the
continued growth for our program.
RSVP is a nation wide volunteer program that invites adults age 55 and older to use their life experiences
and skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need. RSVP volunteers can be found helping out with
many community needs including; Delivering meals to the homebound, visiting residents in nursing
homes, helping in food pantries, assisting in blood centers, mediating for small claims court, and many
other worthwhile projects. Thousands of people in Dubuque County have been impacted in some way
through the help of an RSVP volunteer.
"Lots of Socks, Hats and Mittens Too" is a RSVP campaign that has been going on for 13 years in
Dubuque County. This year, 141oca1 businesses helped collect socks, hats and mittens which were
distributed to over 25 schools and agencies throughout the county, assuring warm hands and feet for
many local children.
In 2007, we had 380 volunteers contribute 52,029 hours of service to Dubuque County. According to the
Iowa Commission on Volunteerism the state's estimate of the value of a volunteer hour is $17.55. At this
rate, RSVP volunteers donated $913,109 worth of services to bur county last year alone. RSVP volunteers
are a valuable city and county resource contributing nearly one million dollars worth of service!
The RSVP program has one full-time director and one part-time assistant. Funding assistance from the
city also helps to maintain the part-time position. Without apart-time employee, sustaining and growing
this program would be very difficult. And, as our volunteers get older it is imperative that we continue to
grow and recruit younger volunteers to step up and fill that void.
Thank you for your consideration of funding the RSVP program $7,341 for the fiscal year 2009. Your
assistance with funding would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
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Deb Bell
RSVP Director
"RSVP is a natiomvide volunteer program that invites adults age 55 and older to
use their life experiences and skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need:'