BINGO Benefit

Research shows that supporting and serving others through volunteer opportunities later in life has a significant, positive benefit emotionally, physically, and socially for seniors 55 and older. At the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Central Oklahoma we see that research backed up. Almost weekly we hear from our volunteers about how serving in the community has enhanced their lives. Our volunteers come from all walks of life–teachers, doctors, truck drivers, corporate CEOs– and have the common desire to stay connected in their retirement years by giving back. While they all agree that they are enhancing the community and others’ lives through volunteering, our annual survey of volunteers shows that nearly 100 percent report that because of volunteering, they feel an increased sense of purpose in their own life, a sense of self-value, improvement in their quality of life, and an awareness of community needs.

• RSVP of Central Oklahoma was created in 1973 with the mission of enriching the lives of older adults by connecting them with meaningful and rewarding community volunteer opportunities.
• Each year more than 600 volunteers are connected with more than 80 local nonprofit organizations — from the Regional Food Bank and Whiz Kids programs to the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Metropolitan Library System. They also volunteer with churches, health care organizations, and museums, to name only a few.
• Last year, RSVP volunteers contributed 117,483 hours, which is a value wage of volunteer service in the amount of $2.6 million, a great savings to our community.
• RSVP’s Provide-a-Ride program started in 1995. Last year volunteers provide more than 6,000 rides to 424 low-income elderly persons needing free, safe, and reliable transportation to and from their medical appointments.