The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Celebrating and recognizing impact of giving
RSVP honors volunteers with President’s Lifetime Achievement and Gold Service awards, Senior Corps of PA Legacy and New Citadel Community Hero award
with a celebration and recognition event on May 24th held at Normandy Farms Estates in Blue Bell.
Richard S. Lewis of Fleetwood, Pa. was honored with the prestigious President’s Lifetime
Taking the time to appreciate sacrifices
All over the region on Memorial Day, communities held parades and ceremonies to honor those who gave all. Joseph S. Ciccarelli of Norristown; Mary Corley of East Norriton; William W. Groff III of Jeffersonville; Paul C. Herrmann of King of Prussia; Lena Jeandell of East Norriton; Stephen R. Mistysyn. President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award recipients, recognizing 500 service hours during a one year period. Shown (L to R) Gerald Francis, Barbara Rutberg, Grace Gray, Robert Simon, Philip Schwartz and RSVP’s Michele Moll. Awardees unable to attend: Della Amoroso, Melinda Bartscherer, Judy Cressman, Ron Gawel, Richard Lewis, Barbara Makar.
Achievement Volunteer Service Award, recognizing his more than 4,000 lifetime hours of tutoring at North Montco Tech Career Center in Lansdale.
Eleven President’s Gold Volunteer Service Awards were presented to volunteers who contributed more than 500 hours of service in one year. Volunteers receiving this recognition include: Della Amoroso of Wynnewood, Melinda Bartscherer of Philadelphia, Judy Cressman of Red Hill, Gerald Francis of Bala Cynwyd, Ron Gawel of Schwenksville, Grace Gray of Pottstown, Richard S. Lewis of Fleetwood, Barbara Makar of Norristown, Barbara Rutberg of Blue Bell, Philip Schwartz of Blue Bell, Robert Simon of Blue Bell.
Thirteen volunteers were presented certificates and pins as winners of the Senior Corps of PA Legacy Award. Award winners include Mickey Abraham of Elkins Park, Mark Dallas of North Wales, Paul Eitner of Audubon, John Hoff of Collegeville, Theresa Lacianca of Eagleville, Steve Lember of Elkins Park, Sylvia Lifschitz of Springhouse, Kenneth Milner of Dresher, Nancy Morris of Horsham, Wes O’Brien of Harleysville, Debra Schaeffer of Ambler, Barbara Schneider of Collegeville, Lawrence Shaheen of Collegeville.
Three RSVP volunteers, Donald N. Robinson of Lansdale, Joan L. Robinson of Lansdale and Frederick Schuetz of Trappe have served with the Central Perkiomen Senior Meals program in Collegeville for 20 years through the Trinity Lutheran Reformed Church of Christ. RSVP recognized their extraordinary service and dedication with a 20 years of service award.
Citadel, RSVP’s Diamond Level Sponsor and Partner presented the 2nd annual Montgomery County Citadel Community Hero Award to Sam Gardy a founding member of the Hogs and Honeys Foundation for Kids. The two finalists were Sal Giannone a Plymouth Meeting barber and philanthropist and Jill Anoia the founder of Simply Positive Kids.
These winners represent the true volunteer spirit of compassion and dedication in every day acts of kindness. Sam Gardy was presented with an award and a $1,000 donation to Hogs and Honeys Foundation for Kids. Sal Giannone and Jill Anoia each accepted $100 donations to their charities.
RSVP volunteers dedicate their talents and energy to programs benefiting the community with countless hours of their time. Recognizing these remarkable volunteers is one small way to acknowledge their great and enduring impact in our communities.
RSVP would like to recognize the generous support of Normandy Farms Estate in Blue Bell for hosting the event and Citadel, People Security, Bryn Mawr Trust, RBC Wealth Management, UBS, Renewal by Anderson, CCRES, Meridian Bank, Kicks USA, Whole Foods Markets and Marpè Nutrition for their sponsorship.
An event celebrating RSVP Delaware and Chester County volunteers will be held on June 12 at Wesley Enhanced Living in Media.
For information about how you might volunteer in one of the many exciting programs at RSVP or to support our work in the community attend a free Volunteer Information session held regularly at various sites throughout our community. For meeting locations, please phone (610) 834-1040 ext. 123 or visit www.rsvpmc.org to sign up or for additional information.
RSVP is a multiservice nonprofit organization responding to community needs through volunteerism. RSVP’s Volunteer Impact Programs focus on the needs of vulnerable populations (such as disadvantaged preschool children, atrisk youth, the elderly, those with low literacy skills and veterans) and by providing support to regional nonprofit organizations. RSVP is always recruiting additional volunteers to participate in outreach programs that serve our greater community. RSVP is now serving Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties as well as educationally disadvantaged children, youth and veterans in Philadelphia.