By SUZANNE MOORE
PLATTSBURGH — There was no money for the annual RSVP recognition event this year, but then the Plattsburgh Breakfast Kiwanis stepped up to make sure the program's volunteers got the kudos they deserve.
"They put the event on for us," said Clinton County Retired Senior Volunteer Program Director Joyce St. Germain.
More than 100 volunteers attended the celebration at the Senior Citizens Council Senior Center, but far more pitch in to assist a broad range of nonprofits in the county.
Between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009, 254 volunteers put in 38,384 hours. Thirty-four of them were given service awards marking five, 10, 15 or 20 years. The Very Special Volunteer Award went to: Sherry Beaubriand and Bob Cheeseman, who help with Journey into Reading; Bobbie Scales, a volunteer at the Not Necessarily New Boutique in Plattsburgh that benefits Adirondack Humane Society; Meadowbrook Healthcare volunteer Yvonne Dubrey; and Joe Krupka, who assists with the Interfaith Food Shelf.
Also Very Special Award recipients were members of the RSVP Country Band: Frank and Ruth Coty, Lorraine Lafountain, Donald Peryer, Reginald Miller, Early Southmayd and Frank Vivia.
The group performs at nursing homes, nutrition sites and other locations.
New volunteers are always welcome, Germain said.
"Several organizations need help," she said.
As well, RSVP will soon offer classes to train volunteers to lead osteo-exercise classes.
For information, call 566-0944.
E-mail Suzanne Moore at: smoore@pressrepublican.com
