From Our Vice Chairman
You can change lives..starting with your own!
Dear Friend,
That's how one of our volunteers recently described her relationship with Southern Rhode Island Volunteers (SRIV). "I had some vague idea of making a difference, but didn't really know where to begin. I've met so many people and am learning new things all the time. It's been challenging and fun and amazing to be a part of this organization."
SRIV, the volunteer resource for Southern Rhode Island, was established 30 years ago around the concept of "helping others". And helping others is still at the core of what we do. But it's the passion and sheer joy of our volunteers that has sustained us for all these years and make it possible for us to have a positive impact on our community. And your contributions change the lives of our volunteers and the folks they serve too.
Ok. I'd love to have you believe that I'm all about "giving back" or "paying it forward" or some other noble sentiment. But the truth is, for me, being a part of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers is all about...fun! And I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that if you ask any of our more than 600 volunteers why they do what they do, they'll tell you (among other things) that they enjoy it!
Let me tell you about just one of our volunteers. Dick delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. He was diligent and trustworthy..never missed a delivery..developed deep and lasting friendships with his "clients" and worried about them when he was away on vacation. He took his granddaughters with him to deliver meals and chat with clients. Another fun outing for Dick and His family was to attend the annual Penguin Plunge in Narragansett to watch the "crazies" dash into the frigid surf for charity. They would all laugh and wonder how anybody could bear to go into that freezing water! Sadly, Dick, our friend and colleague, passed away this past year. His family, well aware of how important Dick's Meals on Wheels work was to him, established a lasting legacy with an annual fundraising effort as part of the Penguin Plunge. This event will honor Dick's memory and support the delivery of meals in South County. At this year's plunge, Dick's son and one of his granddaughters took the plunge. Through the pledges they collected, they were able to make a substantial donation to SRIV. We are grateful for this wonderful and generous tribute, and hope that it gives you a little glimpse of the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers and their family members.
This year, we celebrate thirty years of "making a difference one volunteer at a time."
Volunteers are the backbone of our community, changing their own lives as they change the lives and health of our elderly Meals on Wheels and transportation assistance clients. And they provide support to more than 100 social service agencies, schools, and non-profits assisting thousands of our neighbors throughout Southern Rhode Island.
Similarly, our supporters are the cornerstone of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers. Won't you please help us to continue? Your tax deductible gift will literally change lives. Please give as generously as you can. Your support truly matters.
Warmest regards,
Rosemary Bowler Gribbin
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Dear Friend,
That's how one of our volunteers recently described her relationship with Southern Rhode Island Volunteers (SRIV). "I had some vague idea of making a difference, but didn't really know where to begin. I've met so many people and am learning new things all the time. It's been challenging and fun and amazing to be a part of this organization."
SRIV, the volunteer resource for Southern Rhode Island, was established 30 years ago around the concept of "helping others". And helping others is still at the core of what we do. But it's the passion and sheer joy of our volunteers that has sustained us for all these years and make it possible for us to have a positive impact on our community. And your contributions change the lives of our volunteers and the folks they serve too.
Ok. I'd love to have you believe that I'm all about "giving back" or "paying it forward" or some other noble sentiment. But the truth is, for me, being a part of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers is all about...fun! And I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that if you ask any of our more than 600 volunteers why they do what they do, they'll tell you (among other things) that they enjoy it!
Let me tell you about just one of our volunteers. Dick delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. He was diligent and trustworthy..never missed a delivery..developed deep and lasting friendships with his "clients" and worried about them when he was away on vacation. He took his granddaughters with him to deliver meals and chat with clients. Another fun outing for Dick and His family was to attend the annual Penguin Plunge in Narragansett to watch the "crazies" dash into the frigid surf for charity. They would all laugh and wonder how anybody could bear to go into that freezing water! Sadly, Dick, our friend and colleague, passed away this past year. His family, well aware of how important Dick's Meals on Wheels work was to him, established a lasting legacy with an annual fundraising effort as part of the Penguin Plunge. This event will honor Dick's memory and support the delivery of meals in South County. At this year's plunge, Dick's son and one of his granddaughters took the plunge. Through the pledges they collected, they were able to make a substantial donation to SRIV. We are grateful for this wonderful and generous tribute, and hope that it gives you a little glimpse of the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers and their family members.
This year, we celebrate thirty years of "making a difference one volunteer at a time."
Volunteers are the backbone of our community, changing their own lives as they change the lives and health of our elderly Meals on Wheels and transportation assistance clients. And they provide support to more than 100 social service agencies, schools, and non-profits assisting thousands of our neighbors throughout Southern Rhode Island.
Similarly, our supporters are the cornerstone of Southern Rhode Island Volunteers. Won't you please help us to continue? Your tax deductible gift will literally change lives. Please give as generously as you can. Your support truly matters.
Warmest regards,
Rosemary Bowler Gribbin
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
