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What is a Virtual Volunteer?

A Virtual Volunteer is anyone, anywhere who wants to help you from afar via the internet, telephone and USPS mail.

Virtual Volunteers can do many wonderful things. RSVP works with Virtual Volunteers in a variety of situations. Some Virtual Volunteers build and maintain websites. Others transcribe oral history interviews. RSVP is currently working to develop Virtual Volunteers to research the Idaho Falls WWII POW camp. We are very thankful for an excited about working with our great Virtual Volunteers. They add a whole new dimension to our volunteer program.

Corvington Comments

The potential new CEO of the CNCS was born in Haiti and grew up in Africa. He immigrated to the USA when he was a teenager. Patrick A. Corvington clearly has a life "backstory" waiting in the wings!

He earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his M.A. in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, where he received the National Minority Leadership Fellowship from the Kellogg Foundation. His online resume also lists the Rabat American School.

Following his formal education, Corvington rolled up his sleeves and dived into some tough duty. He began his career traveling the East Coast migrant stream as a case manager working with migrant workers. He has also served as an advocate for adjudicated youth as Interim Director at the Sykesville Group Shelter Home and has worked as a patient advocate in a community-based HIV/AIDS clinic; and has volunteered his time working in an infirmary of a shelter for homeless persons. On his own linkedin profile, Corvington states he "has devoted his life to serving and empowering communities." His profile further states he "is a recognized expert on non-profit sector leadership and capacity issues, new and emerging philanthropy, and volunteerism."

The last sentence above was apparently lifted right out of the linkedin profile to become the first sentence in the White House Press Release!

We turned up quite a few links on Patrick during our preliminary Google Search. Right now, Corvington's linkedin profile has only 200 connections. How much do you want to bet that number increases dramatically within the next 24 hours?

We will continue to revisit this blog post, adding various material as we find it.

One thing of note, Obama's first nominee for the CNCS CEO had to withdraw for personal reasons. We've heard that Obama was looking for someone to shake up the CNCS. He hope he had found a suitable "shaker-upper" in Corvington. And, if so, we hope the nominee can survive the often grueling confirmation process. Meanwhile, here's a thought: the first nominee's was in charge of helping disadvantaged young girls worldwide. Corvington's current employer's website tagline is that they are "dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children." It would certainly seem that Obama has identified disadvantaged youth as a priority for the new head of CNCS.

As you know by now, Corvington currently serves at the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a Senior Associate responsible for guiding the foundation's grantees on issues related to leadership development, next generation leadership, and capacity building. He also acts as Senior Advisor to the Foundation's Executive Vice President, Ralph Smith, who is the Chair of the Council on Foundations. The Annie E. Casey Foundation certainly has an interesting pedigree. It was basically started by the founder of UPS! As near as we can tell, it has assets about $2.392-billion. A year earlier it was $3.442 billion. Looking at their financial statement, it looks like they lost over a billion dollars on their investments between 2007-2008! According to their website, they are distributing about $225-million a year.

Lunch At South Lemhi Senior Center

It's always a pleasure to visit the South Lemhi Senior Center on Hayden Creek alongside the Lewis & Clark Trail 20 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. The folks at the Center are gracious hosts and they make us feel like long lost friends. It's a genuine step back in time there as the building is about 100 years old. The imposing two story wood structure was once the gov't Indian school back in the days when the Lemhi Shoshones lived here.

South Lemhi enjoys a faithful following of folks who come to lunch every Tuesday and Thursday like clockwork. Barbara and Alden have been volunteering there for at least 30 years, probably a lot more but they aren't counting. Other volunteers have been helping for 15 or 20 years. You can feel the kinship at South Lemhi when you drive up in the front lawn. It's a special place, that's for sure. RSVP will be conducting a VRE (Volunteer Recognition Event) for those dedicated helpers on July 18.

We took a few photos June 11 and May 14. They are online in Picasa web albums located at the Center's webpage: http://idahovolunteer.org/southlemhi

Marie Doll: "Beary Special Angel!"

At 95, Marie Doll just might be at the "top of her game." That's right, Marie is more determined than the Energizer Bunny to keep chugging along rehabilitating teddy bears. She's incredible. We're featuring Marie today because she received some well-deserved publicity in the Idaho Falls Post-Register (P-R) newspaper. Marie is "above the fold" on the front page of "The West" section.

The P-R Reporter, Laura Zuckerman once again skillfully wove words to tell Marie's touching story. THANKS, Laura! Laura's story is succinct yet conveys a real feeling for the "how & why" of what Marie does. Ilona McCarty's photo reflects Marie's quiet peace and dignity. With more than 2,000 "rehabbed" teddy bears under her belt, Marie is a genuine inspiration to all who know and cherish her.

Marie's work is spread far and wide across Eastern Idaho. It would be impossible to even estimate how lives her work has touched. Marie's "rehabbed" bears go directly into the hands of people who are hurting in one way or another, whether in an accident or after medical procedures in a hospital. Marie's special bears are also on patrol with police officers and sheriff's deputies, ready to spring into action in the arms of people facing tough situations. Marie's bears are a direct extension of the hands, heart and spirit of this kind and gracious woman. God Bless You, Marie!

If you are interested in helping to get one or more teddy bears delivered to Marie's little home alongside the famous Salmon River, please contact us. Marie could also use help in obtaining the cleaning chemicals and other materials necessary to "rehab" a teddy bear into right and proper shape for their upcoming special assignments. Our email is embedded in a photo at the bottom of this blog. Our distant blog readers can mail bears or other support to RSVP @ 357 Constitution Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Volunteers help brighten Idaho Falls

Dina O. and Susun McC., two of RSVP's many versatile, hard working volunteers, were at it again May 29. Dina and Susun planted the flower bed beneath the Rotary Kiosk on the Idaho Fall Greenbelt eastside pathway. They spent 2.5 hours selecting flowers at the city's greenhouse and carefully putting them into place at the kiosk. There are many awesome flower beds and planters throughout the city. The Rotary Kiosk bed is noticed by a lot of visitors and residents alike.

Next week, Dina, Susun and several other RSVP volunteers will be planting the large Hilda McClure Garden in front of the Red Lion Inn at the city's signature waterfalls. The Mayor's Office is an RSVP Volunteer Station that utilizes many RSVP volunteers in various city functions.

There are few volunteer opportunities more fun that planting flowers!

Doris Olsen: A Happy Volunteer

Doris Olsen seems to be smiling all the time. The more she volunteers, the more she smiles. Doris loves to volunteer. RSVP's records show she has volunteered in at least 16 different Idaho Falls organizations. She has written a 200+ page history of her church and currently volunteers each Friday morning at the Museum of Idaho's Titanic Exhibit. She doesn't know how to slow down!

Doris was born in April 1917 and remembers her first real stint of volunteering with the Campfire Girls back in the late 1920's. After WWII, Doris became a school librarian and devoted her life to helping people share her love of books. Doris hasn't slowed down in her retirement years. She believes volunteering is a great way to stay active and meet new people and make new friends. Doris loves people and it shows. She's perpetually happy. One of her most favorite things to do is to read to children. She has a spark and flame of passion for books that shines forever in her spirit!

Doris serves on our RSVP Advisory Council and her input is always a delight. She doesn't mince words when it's time to give a pointed opinion. Doris always tells it like it is. Debby and I took Doris to lunch yesterday and a fine time was had by all. Afterall, Doris is the life of the party!