RSVP Responds To
Needs Of Older Volunteers
BY DOUG RUTTER
For the past eight years, Lctha
Mae Trear has been working about
six hours a day, five days a week at
the Shallotte Senior Citizens Center.
She doesn't mind that she hasn't
received one penny for her efforts.
She's just pleased that she can vol
unteer her time and services and in
return, get the satisfaction that she
has helped others her own age.
A 67-year old resident of Shal
lotle, Mrs. Trear is one of 50 Bruns
wick Countians involved in RSVP,
a federally-funded volunteer pro
gram for senior citizens.
The Retired Senior Volunteer
Program is designed to organize
STAff PHOTOS BY DOUG HUTTM
IJLTHA MAE TREAR sets up for lunch at the Shallotte Senior
Citizens Center.
volunteers and meet the basic hu
man needs of people 60 years and
older, said Kathryn Wray, RSVF di
rector for Brunswick, Columbus
and Pender counties.
"The program lets people over 60
know that they are wanted and
needed and it gives them a feeling
of self- worth," said Mrs. Wray.
"That's the basic purpose of the
program. Through the coordinating
of volunteers, we achieve that."
Mrs. Trear helps set up tables for
meals at the local senior citizens
center and boxes meals that are de
livered to homcbound residents in
the county.
"I enjoy being with a crowd, and
I enjoy doing things for people who
can't do it for themselves," said
Mrs. Trear.
Volunteering also gives her a
chance to get out of her own home
and be with her friends at the center.
"We're just like one big happy fam
ily in here."
Besides volunteering at the center
weekdays, Mrs. Trear said she occa
sionally invites seniors to her home
on Sunday. "I think I keep my life
pretty well filled up," she said.
Mrs. Wray said that's one of the
main goals of RSVP ? to let seniors
know they can still make a contri
bution to society through volunteer
ing. People as old as 90 are in
volved in the program.
In Brunswick County, RSVP vol
unteers work with Hospice, Red
Cross and in nursing homes as well
as in the county's four senior citi
zens centers. Volunteers also help
transport seniors to the centers and
deliver meais to the homcbound.
The hot meals mean survival to
homebound people, but Mrs. Wray
said the human contact with the vol
unteer delivering the mea! is just as
welcome.
"They are more excited about
having someone come into their
home and having someone to speak
to," she said. 'That sometimes is
more important than the meal it
self."
Mrs. Wray, RSVP director since
July 1988, works out of an office at
Southeastern Community College in
Whiteville. She visits Brunswick
County the first and third Tuesday
of each month.
While the program is much more
established in Columbus County
than the other two counties served,
the program has been operating lo
cally since 1983.
Last year. 304 volunteers worked
approximately 33,000 hours in the
three-county area. Ceremonies are
held twice a year to recognize the
volunteers.
To reflect reccnt growth of the
program in Brunswick County, Mrs.
Wray said December marked the
first time a recognition program was
held in Shallotte. In the past, cere
monies have always been held in
Columbus County.
To recruit more volunteers, Mrs.
Wray said she attends meetings of
civic organizations where she
spreads the word about RSVP.
Most volunteers, however, hear
about the program from a friend.
"My volunteers do recruiting just by
being a part of RSVP and talking
about it," she said.
In addition to federal funds, Mrs.
Wray said the program also receives
money from Columbus County. She
said she hopes to reccivc financial
support from Brunswick County
Commissioners in the future. As
funds become available, there are
also plans to hire a staff person to
coordinate the program in Bruns
wick County.
Although the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program serves mainly
retired people, Mrs. Wray said there
are several volunteers in the pro
gram who are employed.
Edmae Jones of Ash has been
volunteering at the Shallotte Senior
Citizens Center for nearly two
years. Every weekday for the past
four months, she's delivered meals
to the homebound in the Bolivia
area.
"I enjoy it myself," she said. "If I
have time, I slop and visit for a
while. The people are just so happy
to have somebody to talk to."
For more information on RSVP,
call Mrs. Wray at 642-7141.
MARY SMITH, nutrition site manager at the Shallotte Senior
Citizens Center, prepares meals for homebound residents of
Brunswick County.
Lueracy Council Holds Opsn Houso
The Brunswick County Literacy
Council joined with state govern
ment this week in honoring VISTA
Volunteers statewide.
Gov. James Martin proclaimed
Wednesday, Jan. 31, as VISTA Vol
unteer Recognition Day. VISTA, a
federally-funded program in its 25th
year, stands for Volunteers In Ser
vice To America.
There are 65 VISTA volunteers
in the state, including four who
work with the Brunswick County
Literacy Council at Supply. The
countywidc organization supports
volunteer tutors who help adults
leam to read in free, onc-on-one lCS
SOnS.
The council had scheduled an
open house from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, in honor of the
day. The council office is located in
the rear of the former BCC continu
ing education building just north of
the N.C. 211 traffic light. The build
ing now houses several county
agcncies in addition to the council.
In addition to the open house, the
local VISTAs were also scheduled
to visit the county's three high
schools and Brunswick Community
College Wednesday to provide in
formation on the literacy council.
RpirnnH a Shadow
Of A Doubt...
The very best homes are found at,..
i I
a
W4
CHQ8CENTER
HOMES BY ANN
Hwy. 17 N? Shallotte, 754-5147
BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
North Carolina Community College System's
Small Business Center Network
Small Business Seminars
Present
"Bottom Line Management"
Tues., Feb. 6, 6:30-9:30 PM
Free to Participants
(provided by a state grant)
Managing tor results requires much more than sitting at
a desk. There are certain management tasks that are
critical to getting to the bottomiine results. So, for the
busy, serious small business owner, the office manager
who wears dozens of hats, the experienced supervisor,
or anyone who wants some substantial managerial "food
for thought," this is the course.
You will learn:
?The seven most critical management tasks.
?How to answer the questions that determine what
direction your department needs to take.
?An 8-step problem solving process that involves
your people.
At the BCC Main Campus in Supply
457-6329 ? 754-6961 ? 343-0203
To register or for more information,
call BCC Small Business Center.
Co-Sponsors: South Brunswick Islands Chamber of
Commerce and Southport/Oak Island Chamber of Commerce
ToolsOf I h
I ?
I hn l^rln
t m w: :.
Recognize these tcxils? Each one is unique
to a particular business. Vet only one ot these
is being utilized by hundreds of different
businesses to save thousands of dollars, turning
driving time into productive time.
It's the Cellular One mobile phone antenna.
One of these on your vehicle shows that you
recognize the time savings and convenience
of a Cellular One phone. It's a sure
sign of success, because Cellular
One always keeps your customers
and your suppliers at your
fingertips.
But a Cellular One phone
doesn't mean a lot of expense.
In fact, you can have one
today tor as little as $495,
completely installed. And
Cellular One offers a variety
of airtime plans, with one
guaranteed to suit your needs.
Sooner or later, you're going to own a
Cellular One phone. Why not do it today...
it's the most powerful tool you'll ever own.
CELLULAR
nf Cnrnlim
Communication OnThe Move.
320 Van Dyke Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
540-5000