Ribbon cutting for new volunteer center

By By

On Dec. 13, at noon there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new volunteer center for Emery County. It will be housed in the same location as the RSVP office on Main Street in Castle Dale. Gerry Stotler, who oversees the RSVP (retired senior volunteer program) and the FGP (foster grandparent program) in the county went to the county commissioners and asked for the county’s support in opening a full fledged volunteer program for those citizens under 55 who would like to share their time and talent in helping others. There are so many areas of need for volunteers and until you are out and among these programs you may not be fully aware of the need. It may be a simple task or a major project. Whatever the need might be the volunteer center is there now and can help. “We are now fortunate enough to have that type of center here in our community.
“There are more than 20 stations where volunteers are currently serving in the county with many more anticipated now that we can utilize a wider selection of volunteers,” said Judi Bishop, volunteer and publicity chairman.
Hosting the event was Gerry Stotler. Special guests who attended were Mark Manazer and Sue Weaver from the Volunteers of America office in Salt Lake. “We are very fortunate to have these two people, as they are very supportive of the projects in Emery County and do all they can to assist us. Our own local State Senator, David Hinkins took time out of his very busy schedule to participate in the ribbon cutting. Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth also took time out of her schedule to drop by and congratulate us,” said Bishop.
From the RSVP advisory council were the following attendees: Sue Lute, chairperson, Jerry Stotler. Ed Eckersley, Carma Robertson and Judi Bishop.
Bishop said, “Many citizens dropped in to enjoy the delicious appetizers that had been furnished by Gilly’s in Ferron. We had some sign up to become our first volunteers. We will have many areas for these volunteer services and we are so happy to be able to have this for the people and organizations of Emery County. Please if you have any desire at all to give a small amount of your time to others, come sign up to be one of Emery County’s best and volunteer for personal satisfaction and assistance to ones in need. We thank all who came and made the day a complete success. Without you we wouldn’t be able to accomplish the many activities we do,” Bishop said.
A special event is being planned for Jan. 14, 2011.
Jerry Stotler said, “The first major project will be the Festival of Service on Jan. 14, 2011 from 5:30-8 p.m. which will kick-off a week of service beginning on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Day, and running through Jan. 24.”
“The Festival of Service will be held in the Emery County Recreation Center with a dinner and live band, dancing, local businesses, crafters and vendors highlighting their wares and services. The purpose of this event is to restock the new Emery County Food Bank We will also be accepting cash donations and other needed items for the Food Bank.
“Keep a look out for our Big Red Barrels where you can place the food and dry goods you would like to donate to our restocking effort. You may call the Community Volunteer Office after Dec. 28 at 381-2765 for more information or to make a donation,” concluded Stotler.