Suffolk News-Herald

Retired and senior volunteers were recently recognized by the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA) at its 28th Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall at Suffolk Christian Church. Ross Boone, academic director at Paul D. Camp Community College in Suffolk, served as master of ceremonies.

The program theme was patriotic and the room was decorated with red, white and blue balloons and streamers.

Earlene Davis Lee, a 17-year employee at the U.S. Postal Service, and Gail Williams, the branch manager at SunTrust Bank, were guest soloists.

Williams began the program with the National Anthem and shortly following, Lee performed a mini concert of patriotic music.

John N. Skirven, executive director of Senior Services, made a special trip from Virginia Beach to be with volunteers. He said that retired and senior volunteers and the work they do are deeply appreciated by the board of directors and staff.

&uot;Children, adults and seniors receive the talents and caring of Retired and Senior Volunteer

Program (RSVP) Volunteers. Their contributions are woven into every aspect of community life in our region. We are delighted to recognize their achievements and honor their service,&uot; he said.

Skirven also said that last year, SSSEVA’s Suffolk and Franklin volunteers contributed a total of 41.755 hours to non-profit organizations.

&uot;At $16.54 an hour the national standard for the value of a volunteer service hour, translates to more than $690,000 worth of services for the two cities,&uot; he said.

Others making remarks were Rev. Michael Halley, pastor of Suffolk Christian Church; Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett, who was representing the mayor’s office; City Manager Steve Herbert; Millie Aven, volunteer director of Senior Services and Sarah H. Walden, RSVP coordinator.

The Rev. Laverne Flythe, RSVP Volunteer, said grace and gave a poem and Madeline Wilson, RSVP volunteer, read a poem.

The Pilot Club, Suffolk Inc. served as hostess to over 160 people in attendance. They were accompanied by their spouses, the Co-Pilots.

Beautiful doll-like centerpieces holding two balloons were designed by The Pilot Club and one lucky winner at each table held the winning program that allowed that winner to own one.

Through its RSVP, SSSEVA has coordinated volunteer opportunities for people aged 55 and older within schools, courts, clinics, nutrition centers and nonprofit organizations or volunteer stations&uot; throughout the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Franklin, and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton.

A private, non-profit organization, SSSEVA provides services for older citizens in the same cities mentioned above and is the largest operating Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Virginia.

For details on the RSVP Program in Suffolk and Franklin, call 539-6385.