NUKOLI‘I — “We started with two chairs,” said Kaua‘i RSVP Advisory Council Chair Timothy Albao. “Fifty years later, we still have the same two chairs.”
Albao greeted the full slate of guests on Thursday when the Kaua‘i RSVP hosted its annual Volunteer Meeting and Recognition Event, as well as the 50th anniversary that had a theme of “Sharing the Experience of a Lifetime” at Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort. The resort was fully decorated for the holiday season, courtesy of the efforts led by Robert Ancheta in housekeeping.
“I am pleased to honor our Kaua‘i RSVP volunteers and celebrate 50 years of their tremendous contributions to our island community. We must not forget the many triumphs of last year. Our RSVP volunteers continue to meet the critical needs of our community in countless ways,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
“During the past 12 months, 225 members contributed more than 22,572 hours of service. This saves our taxpayers just over $755,710.56. However, the work that our volunteers do is still impactful, priceless and leaves lasting impressions on the members of our community.”
Kaua‘i RSVP falls under the Americorps Senior RSVP program, which is a network of programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes volunteering, service and civic engagement among Americans.
Gov. Josh Green, in his message to the luncheon public, said Kaua‘i RSVP engages seniors ages 65 and older who want to find challenging, rewarding and significant service opportunities in their local communities. Volunteer activities are diverse and focus on priority areas, such as healthy futures, education, economic opportunity, veterans and military families, environmental stewardship and disaster services.
On Kaua‘i, this work is being performed at more than 35 RSVP Stations, including the county’s Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Parks and Recreation.
“We thank the RSVP Station coordinators and managers who work with the volunteers so that they may benefit from learning, helping or sharing their experiences,” said Kaua‘i RSVP Director Mary Pigao.
Among those being singled out for recognition are centenarian and nonagenarian, many of whom between 90 and 101 years old, could not physically attend the recognition luncheon.
That included Ross Coyamin, Natsuko Daida, Sadie Doi, Helen Fujimoto, Michiye Funaku, Kenneth Garrett, Jane Goldsmith, Martina Semana, Winona Steed, Esther Tamaribuchi, Leatrice Tanaka, Pat Tanimoto, Edwin Yamada and Hisako “Kay” Yamamoto.
