The RSVP volunteer recognition banquet was held at Barton Community College on Aug. 8. 165 attendees enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by Great Western Dining. The nominees for 2013 Volunteer of the Year were recognized with thank you certificates. Nominated this year for the award were: Arleen Branson; Ray Butler; Bill King; Chris and Rosalie Leiker; Bill Popp; Arlene Schamaun; The Hoisington Friendship Gentlemen’s Dish-washing Team (Ed Merlau, Larry Ruble, Ed Ruble, Herb Sellens, Alan Ochs, and James Leewright); The Two Marilyns from Ellinwood (Marilyn Frydendall and Marilyn Sauber); Dave Tinkler; Delores Westfall; and Teddy Williamson. These volunteers work in many different non-profits in many different capacities but they all have a couple of things in common. They are dedicated and extremely generous with their time and talents. A judging panel from Hoisington, Ellinwood and Great Bend ranked the nominees and the scores were averaged to determine the top score. All of the judges said it was so hard to rank these volunteers as they all deserved the award. .
The Two Marilyns (Frydendall and Sauber) were selected for the 2013 Volunteer of the Year award. These two dedicated volunteers have been involved with the Ellinwood Commission on Aging from the beginning of the organization. Frydendall is the volunteer supervisor for Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels and Sauber is the volunteer supervisor for the local transportation in Ellinwood. It is particularly appropriate that they were nominated together because they have worked as partners to ensure quality services for Ellinwood seniors, filling in for each other as needed for many years. Congratulations, ladies! You definitely deserve the recognition.
Medicare beneficiaries should be aware that open enrollment for Medicare Part D is coming up. Beginning Oc.t 15  through Dec. 7, you have the opportunity to examine options available with the private insurance companies that offer prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D for 2014. If you have a computer, there is a great tool on the Medicare website to help. All you do is click on “Find Health & Drug Plans” and follow the instructions. You need to have all your prescriptions to enter as your drugs do make a difference. You will select a pharmacy and the tool will sort through all the plans in this area. You will be provided a list of the plans appropriate for you beginning with the most cost effective in descending order. Because this insurance is regulated by Medicare, you can shop for price.
If you would like assistance with the online tool or just want someone to discuss your options with, RSVP can help you. RSVP volunteers have been trained to assist with this process. We will be accepting appointments effective Oct. 1,  so mark your calendars. Call us to make an appointment to determine if your plan is still the best, most cost effective plan for you. Of the people that we assisted last year, we were able to save money for 60-70 percent of them; the most we saved any one individual was $2,300 per year. Even if you are satisfied with your current plan, you owe it to yourself to make sure it is still the best one. It only takes a few minutes. Call Donna at 792-1614 for more information.
The second annual Great Bend Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Oct. 5, at the Barton County Courthouse Square. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the walk will begin at 2 p.m. You can walk as much or as little as you like. This is an important fund-raiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, go to www..alz.org.
Donna Baugh, director of Volunteers In Action/RSVP, can be reached at 620-792-1614 or baughd@bartonccc.edu.