The 34th Annual RSVP Awards Luncheon was held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, 18 April 2008. As usual, it was a grand affair and, it seemed to me, even bigger than ever. This certainly gives proof that the volunteer effort in the South Bay is alive and well.

The sign-in area was well underway by the time I arrived, and everyone was amazed at the wonderful array of raffle prizes that were on display outside the Marriott Main Ballroom.

As our volunteers assembled prior to the doors being opened, they were entertained by the singing of a Barber Shop Quartet.

The event got underway as our volunteers started seating themselves at one of the many tables provided by the Luncheon Sponsors.

We all rose for The Pledge of Allegiance and, following an Inspirational Message from Senior Pastor Dean Maeda , our Executive Director, Thomas White, welcomed all in attendance as follows:

"In 2005, I became the Executive Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of South Bay (RSVP) with some awareness of the enormous contributions that older adults can and have made to communities across the United States. As the Executive Director, I continue to gain inspiration from RSVP Volunteers, The devotion, energy, and enthusiasm of our volunteers gives me confidence that their tradition of caring is a great benefit to the South Bay community. Volunteers can be proud that the hours they spend are productive and often critical to helping agencies meet a variety of health, educational, public safety, environmental, and other community needs. Because they care, RSVP has effectively carried out its primary mission of improving lives and strengthening communities through service and volunteerism. As we host our 34th Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, I am reminded once again of the accomplishments of our many volunteers and their commitment to our community: they help teach children to read; work with law enforcement officers to keep our community safe; comfort individuals in their final moments with the guidance of hospice professionals : they help feed the hungry; knit caps for children with cancer, and help out where ever they can to make the South Bay a better place to live. They also teach us to care about each other and how to reconnect with our community."

Torrance Mayor, Frank Scotto, then gave a short speech of appreciation for all that RSVP does in the community.
At the conclusion of our meal, the Keynote Speaker, Helen Dennis, gave a moving and amusing speech on the subject of aging.

Helen, a nationally recognized specialist on issues of aging, employment and retirement, has received awards for her university teaching at USC's Andrus Gerontology Center and for her contributions to the field of aging. Editor of two books, frequent speaker and weekly columnist for the Daily Breeze, she assisted over 10,000 employees to prepare for the non-financial aspects of their retirement. Her research on employment and retirement issues has been conducted for The Conference Board, AARP, UC Berkeley and the U.S. Administration on Aging. She serves as current board chairperson of H E.L P (Healthcare and Elder Law Programs) and as national chair of the American Society on Aging's Business Forum on Aging, She also is past president of three non-profit organizations. Her more recent book, co-authored with Bernice Bratter, is Project Renewment: The First Retirement Model for Career Women (Scribner 2008).

This year's Honorees included Samuel S. Rifman, who has donated 335 volunteer hours in the field of education; Jo Ann Goldensen, with 844 Hours in Human Needs and Services, working with UCLA Medical Center, America Reads and Mad Hatters ; Michael Russell, with 702 Hours in Health and Nutrition at Kaiser Hospital; Karen Hill, 853 Hours in the field of Community and Economic Development at LAX Travellers Aid; Christa Poole, with 844 Hours as a VIP Volunteer at the Redondo Beach Police Department; Charles "Chuck" Lobb, with 506 volunteer hours in Homeland Security with the Torrance Amateur Radio Association; and Ellen Peterson. with 306 Hours working at the Madrona Marsh. These Honorees were all presented with awards and certificates in recognition of their achievments, and a group photograph was taken with the attending dignitaries.

OUR VOLUNTEERS Each year we honor all those folks That give their time for free. They’re happy being volunteers. It’s what they want to be. They give their time so freely, Through each and every day. They always think of others, No matter what they say. They say that times are bad today. Just take a look around. There’s many a folk who need a hand. As R.S.V.P.’s found.	Our volunteers are spread so wide. There’s nowhere they can’t go. They’re there to give a helping hand, To every Jane and Joe. They keep so very busy. It’s what they want to do. Just helping out their neighbors, And other people too. Each year we honor special feats, And tasks that they have done. Throughout our wide community They work while having fun.	They volunteer their minutes. They volunteer their hours. The things that they accomplish, Spread the happiness like flowers. We all rejoice for what they’ve done, And try to do the same. Their efforts help so many, But they never ask for fame. So we give thanks for all they’ve done, They make us feel so proud. For all that they’ve accomplished, We applaud them all out loud!
DIGNITARIES RSVP Executive Director, Thomas White; Melisa Ramoso (Representing Ted Liu); Primitivo Castro (Representing Senator Jenny Oropeza ; Councilwoman, Hope Witkowski; David Cline (Representing Jane Harmon); Mayor, Frank Scotto; Senior Pastor, Dean Maeda. HONOREES Front Row: Jo Ann Goldensen, Samuel R. Rifman, Ellen Peterson, "Chuck" Lobb Back Row: Christa Poole, Michael Russell, Karen Hill

The luncheon concluded with a raffle drawing for the many prizes donated by our generous sponsors.

Honoree, Michael Russell, receiving his prize from Jessie Palicte

Board member. Richard Berryman holds up one of the prizes.

Jean Adelsman looks delighted when she was announced as a winner.