We are proud to announce that Linn Hogg has been selected as Volunteer Coordinator for Volunteer Connections. In this position, Linn will be working with volunteers from school age children to college students to young adults, in fact, anyone under the age of 55. Linn brings great enthusiasm as well as wonderful experience working with the Relay for Life, Barton Community Concerts and other community volunteer efforts. All of us at RSVP are looking forward to this expansion into a full volunteer center and to working with Linn.
The Barton County Historical Museum and Village will conduct an Orientation Meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at the Village south of the river bridge on Highway 281. The meeting is for anyone in Barton County and will help volunteers, new or returning, to learn about the new happenings and displays at the museum. Refreshments will be served. Summer hours begin Tuesday, April 9 and continue through Friday, Nov. 1. Volunteers are needed from 1 – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed on Monday.
Everyone interested in becoming a volunteer or in learning more about the Village is invited to attend the orientation without obligation. For more information, call the Historical Village office at 793-5125 or Karen Naylor, Volunteer Coordinator, at 793-6394.
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is looking for a few special people to assist with an after-school meeting at Riley school once a week.  Leaders will provide the program and the assistants will just help with refreshments and whatever else the leaders need. If you are interested, please call Donna at 792-1614 for more information.
The RSVP Medical Transportation is looking for volunteers that like to drive and have a reliable vehicle. You will use your personal vehicle to transport Barton County residents to necessary medical appointments and can decide to do local trips or long distance trips, such as to Hays, Hutchinson or Wichita. Volunteers are also needed to drive the wheelchair accessible van; you must be willing to undergo a check of your driving record to be able to drive the van. Call Donna or Carol at 792-1614.
After all the snow we’ve had, it probably seems too early to think about spring cleaning or garage sales but I just wanted to throw this out for your consideration. The RSVP Thrift Shop in Hoisington depends on contributions from the community for merchandise to sell. All the money from the thrift shop sales goes to support RSVP projects in Barton and Pawnee Counties. Donations are tax deductible and pick-up can be arranged if needed. Call 792-1614 or take your gently used items to 105 S. Main in Hoisington.
Volunteers in Action will have recycled flowers for sale at 1025 Main #D114 in Great Bend and at the thrift shop, 105 S. Main in Hoisington beginning April. These flowers have been fluffed by RSVP volunteers and will be sold at bargain basement prices; most of the flowers will be $5 down to $1. They are just as good as flowers you can buy retail but at a substantial savings. You owe it to yourself to check it out.
Proceeds from the sale of the Memorial Day flowers will be used to fund a recognition event for RSVP volunteers. In 2012, 450 individuals contributed close to 50,000 volunteer hours working to improve the quality of life in our communities. That is an amazingly wonderful gift, especially if you attach a dollar amount to those hours. Help us to give our volunteers a much-deserved “Thank you” by purchasing Memorial Flowers this year!