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Managing Editor CHICOPEE The RSVP Program of the Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) not only celebrated the accomplishments of senior volunteers at its annual luncheon at American Legion Post 452 last week, but also the 28-year career of its director Lorraine Norton who retired on July 4. Norton told Reminder Publications she has seen many changes during her time with the program, which has 339 active volunteers who contributed 60,112 hours of volunteer service in 24 organizations in the area. The program also sponsors blood pressure clinics, assistance with applications for food stamps, fuel assistance and Mass health, SHINE counselor sessions and Pioneer Valley Transit Authority identification cards. Norton first became involved with the RSVP program through her parents who were volunteers and started with the program herself when she was hired as a secretary at the VOC. She was then promoted to office manager, then program director for RSVP and finally as the director. She said initially the program sought volunteers age 60 and over, but now the age is 55 for volunteers. Years ago, she added the funding was a lot easier to obtain. Today, the program is level-funded with federal dollars, which she explained causes funding gaps as prices go up. The volunteer experiences have also changed, she noted. When she first was involved with RSVP some of the volunteer chores were "menial," she said. Now the assignments are "important tasks that create an impact on the community." A Chicopee native, Norton said with a smile she intends to enjoy traveling as part of her retirement. Those honored at the luncheon included: 2008 Presidential Service Awards Lifetime: Theresa Karaskiewicz, Marie Leduc and Bertha Morse Gold: Benta Ameida, Anita Busby, Anne Cotton, Bertha Jajesnica and Lucile Lamy Silver: Rita Benoit, Ronald Berry, Yvette Bolduc, Janet Boutin, Pauline Cormier, Rita Costello, Doris Dunleavy, Madeleine Gendron, Armand Hamel, Sandra King, Isabel martins, Nancy Pauze, Leonidas Perez, Annette Polansky, Pauline Ruel and Walter Tardy Jr. Bronze: Doris Anderson, Evelyn Anischik, Lucille Chartier, Lena Connor, Teresa Connor, Kathleen Dzialo, Lee Edwards, Robert Fontaine, John Frasco, Lorraine Goyette, Edward Gregory, Alice Haska, Jane Labak, Roderick Lamothe, Laurene Mailloux, Lillian Mika, Josephine Ouellette, Dolores pare, Fred Pelletier, Mary Peltier, Alice Reynolds, Vivian Simard, Mary St. Germaine and June Yates. Service Awards 25-Year: Wanda Karczmarczyk 20 year: Henrietta Bernardo, Mary Burgess, Violette Patnode and Stephen Sulinkski 15 Year: Caroline Crooks, Jeanette Duclos, Alice Haska, Winifred Hathaway, Alice Houle, Claire Isabelle, Harvey Lafleur, Julia Pinciak, Esther Pittello, Dolores Sawa, Adel Tawrel, Amelia Taylor, Ruth Vanderlick and Ann Zielinski 10 year: Joyce Brown, Connie Gauthier, Estelle Lee, Ruth Mueller and Gladys Protz | ||||||
