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!

Warren Mitchell: Recycling Pioneer

Warren Mitchell is a modest man. Praise makes him blush a little bit. He does what he does because he simply loves to do what he does. Warren Mitchell is a Recycling Pioneer. He has been recycling aluminum cans for the better part of a generation. He started way back in the late 1980's. At the time, Warren was recovering from major surgery. He decided to help his rehab by walking alongside Highway 33 in Mud Lake, Idaho. Soon he saw a discarded can and he picked it up. The rest is history, as they say.

Before long Warren was collecting bags and then piles of cans. And pretty soon, Warren's neighbors and local organizations began bringing cans to Warren's place. Twice each year since 1988, Warren has headed down south to Pacific Recycling in Idaho Falls. As the years went by, each of these semi-annual trips became bigger and biger and BIGGER! What began as a few dollars turned into some real cash flow.
All of the proceeds from Warren's huge efforts have gone to benefit the West Jefferson Senior Center in Mud Lake--more than $20,000 in 20 years!

In April 2008, Warren was honored in front of a packed house with a certificate and a long, loud heartfelt standing ovation from his friends, neighbors and people far, near and dear. Warren loves to volunteer. He can't stop. He's almost always the last person leaving the twice weekly Senior Center lunch. He cleans tables and helps any way he can.

Warren always sports an impish smile and his twinkling eyes tell you he loves life to the fullest, just as he is loved by his small, rural farm community.

Warren will turn 89 years young on June 20! He is an inspiration to all of those who are blessed to know him. We were happy to see Warren again May 27 when we went to West Jeff to honor their World Famous Roast Beef. We asked him if we could take his photo and he graciously consented.

Thank You, Warren, for giving us the gift of your spirit and the happiness of your heart!

Voluntourism Here in Idaho Falls!

I have been reading a lot lately about Voluntourism. It's a growing phenomena on the internet and on the ground. Perhaps 98% of the stories about voluntourism involve some exotic location that costs a bundle to go to.

Rarely do you see any mention of voluntourism possibilities here in the Good Ol' US of A. Yes, you can be engage in voluntourism right there in Idaho Falls, Idaho, or most anywhere else in Idaho, for that matter.

We can connect you and your family with all sorts of truly exciting stuff from tending exotic animals in a world class zoo to spending time near a thundering waterfall and much, much more. You don't have to go overseas to be a voluntourist and engage in voluntourism, you can come to Idaho and enjoy a vacation to nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, too!

Several of RSVP's partners in our 9 county (19,300 sq. mi) service area also have worthy voluntourism opportunities. The Sacajawea Center in Salmon, Idaho, is a truly classic voluntourism destination. The Clayton Area Historical Association offers great voluntourism potential as well. We can custom design a voluntourism opportunity for you tailored to your time, skills, interests and more.

We applaud the concept and practice of voluntourism. It's a wonderful development in the "world of volunteerism." We hope that you take a look at the official Idaho tourism website. They have a most excellent section on voluntourism opportunities all over the Gem State. They also maintain a great Twitter account. We feel they are in the forefront of voluntourism in America.

http://twitter.com/voluntouridaho
http://www.visitidaho.org/voluntourism/

Our email is embedded in a photo down below at the end of this blog page. Type the address into your email program and send us a voluntourism inquiry. We will reply back to you ASAP with all sorts of fun stuff suitable and appealing to YOU and YOUR Family! Whether you have a few hours, a day, week or longer, we can connect you to some awesome voluuntourism opportunities. We are here to help you make it happen.