In the News:RSVP Volunteers & Local Nursing Home Residents
Senior Volunteer Connection of South Central Georgia
Published June 15, 2007 11:08 pm
By Dean Poling
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Leftover Christmas cards have made a local group of
nursing home residents pen-pals with soldiers in Iraq.
“In December, we were making Christmas cards for the residents to give
to family and friends,” said Beth Williams, a VISTA volunteer with Senior
Volunteer Connection of South Central Georgia. “At Heritage House, we
had so many left over I suggested we send some overseas.
“This incredibly vibrant and vocal resident immediately spoke up, ‘Oh,
yes. Our boys need to know we are thinking of them and praying for
them to come home.’”
That resident was Alice Cooper, who was 101 in December and has
since celebrated her 102nd birthday.
Cooper and several of her fellow Heritage House residents sent 200
Christmas cards to the troops. Since, the Heritage House residents have
sent additional cards: 165 at Easter and more than 300 for the Memorial
Day “A Million Thanks” drive. This past week, they were creating more
cards.
While they would like to send cards to Moody Air Force Base personnel
and local military personnel, the residents do not have access to those
overseas addresses. So, Williams collects the allowed three addresses
per day through the Internet site Anysoldier.com. And the residents send
the cards to the names and addresses she collects.
The residents occasionally hear back from one of these soldiers. Marine
Lance Corporal Victoria Kratz sent a “Greetings from Iraq” postcard to
the group.
“I would like to let you know that your support and the support of the
people you volunteer with and for is most deeply appreciated,” Kratz
writes. “I sincerely hope that you have gotten a good amount of
responses especially from my fellow Marines because I know without a
doubt that knowing there are people out there who truly care about our
well-being brings up morale. If it is possible I would like for you to relay a
message to our 101-year-old supporter and tell her thank you from the
bottom of my heart for her unhesitant willingness to support us.”
Lisa Hamilton, Volunteer Connection director, followed Kratz’s instruction
and presented Alice Cooper with a framed copy of the postcard and a
photograph recently.
By Dean Poling
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Leftover Christmas cards have made a local group of
nursing home residents pen-pals with soldiers in Iraq.
“In December, we were making Christmas cards for the residents to give
to family and friends,” said Beth Williams, a VISTA volunteer with Senior
Volunteer Connection of South Central Georgia. “At Heritage House, we
had so many left over I suggested we send some overseas.
“This incredibly vibrant and vocal resident immediately spoke up, ‘Oh,
yes. Our boys need to know we are thinking of them and praying for
them to come home.’”
That resident was Alice Cooper, who was 101 in December and has
since celebrated her 102nd birthday.
Cooper and several of her fellow Heritage House residents sent 200
Christmas cards to the troops. Since, the Heritage House residents have
sent additional cards: 165 at Easter and more than 300 for the Memorial
Day “A Million Thanks” drive. This past week, they were creating more
cards.
While they would like to send cards to Moody Air Force Base personnel
and local military personnel, the residents do not have access to those
overseas addresses. So, Williams collects the allowed three addresses
per day through the Internet site Anysoldier.com. And the residents send
the cards to the names and addresses she collects.
The residents occasionally hear back from one of these soldiers. Marine
Lance Corporal Victoria Kratz sent a “Greetings from Iraq” postcard to
the group.
“I would like to let you know that your support and the support of the
people you volunteer with and for is most deeply appreciated,” Kratz
writes. “I sincerely hope that you have gotten a good amount of
responses especially from my fellow Marines because I know without a
doubt that knowing there are people out there who truly care about our
well-being brings up morale. If it is possible I would like for you to relay a
message to our 101-year-old supporter and tell her thank you from the
bottom of my heart for her unhesitant willingness to support us.”
Lisa Hamilton, Volunteer Connection director, followed Kratz’s instruction
and presented Alice Cooper with a framed copy of the postcard and a
photograph recently.
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Seniors send cards to troops
Eula Wright, right, a Retired Seniors
Volunteer Program member, assists
102-year-old Heritage Home resident
Alice Cooper in making cards for the
troops in Iraq. Heritage Home residents
have made cards for troops on several
occasions.
/ The Valdosta Daily Times
Volunteer Program member, assists
102-year-old Heritage Home resident
Alice Cooper in making cards for the
troops in Iraq. Heritage Home residents
have made cards for troops on several
occasions.
/ The Valdosta Daily Times
Ms. Cooper with the plaque presented
to her by Lisa Hamilton and our nursing
home RSVP's.
to her by Lisa Hamilton and our nursing
home RSVP's.
“Them’s our boys,” the 102-year-old said. “We need to do what we can, but I wish they’d let them all come home.”
Through Volunteer Connection, the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program seeks volunteers who are at retirement age
or older to work throughout the community. Some RSVP members work with children while some work in various
locations, including volunteering in retirement homes.
RSVP visits local nursing homes an average of three Tuesdays per month. Some Tuesdays are spent playing bingo
or in other activities and some are spent making cards for the troops overseas.
Flora Passmore, Olivia Nelson, Eula Wright and Eula Godfrey are four RSVP volunteers helping Heritage House
residents prepare cards. Wright has been an RSVP volunteer for 26 years. In helping the residents send cards
overseas, these volunteers are helping the people whom they volunteer to help serve as volunteers to help others.
“It’s a good thing making the cards for the soldiers,” says Heritage House resident Willie Ratliff. “A good thing.”
More from the Archives section
Copyright © 2005 South Georgia Media Group. All Rights Reserved. 201 N. Troup St., Valdosta GA 31601 - phone:
229.244.1880
Click to email us comments and suggestions.
Through Volunteer Connection, the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program seeks volunteers who are at retirement age
or older to work throughout the community. Some RSVP members work with children while some work in various
locations, including volunteering in retirement homes.
RSVP visits local nursing homes an average of three Tuesdays per month. Some Tuesdays are spent playing bingo
or in other activities and some are spent making cards for the troops overseas.
Flora Passmore, Olivia Nelson, Eula Wright and Eula Godfrey are four RSVP volunteers helping Heritage House
residents prepare cards. Wright has been an RSVP volunteer for 26 years. In helping the residents send cards
overseas, these volunteers are helping the people whom they volunteer to help serve as volunteers to help others.
“It’s a good thing making the cards for the soldiers,” says Heritage House resident Willie Ratliff. “A good thing.”
More from the Archives section
Copyright © 2005 South Georgia Media Group. All Rights Reserved. 201 N. Troup St., Valdosta GA 31601 - phone:
229.244.1880
Click to email us comments and suggestions.
Any individuals or organizations interested in helping
support our seniors and our troops please contact:
Beth Williams at 211vista@bellsouth.net , We are
always in need of more volunteers, supplies to make
cards and postage. We would love to work with other
organizations or help you get started.
support our seniors and our troops please contact:
Beth Williams at 211vista@bellsouth.net , We are
always in need of more volunteers, supplies to make
cards and postage. We would love to work with other
organizations or help you get started.
In the News
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