Worth millions
POST FALLS - Bob Small called it a "momentous occasion."
The Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) honored 68 volunteers who have served at least 500 hours for agencies throughout Kootenai County.
The volunteers have given 163,092 hours of service, which is equivalent to 79 years of full-time employment and has an economic impact of $3.249 million (using the state's $19.92 per-hour figure for volunteers).
"In this fast-paced, high-tech age, that is astonishing and jaw-dropping," said Small, RSVP director.
The volunteers were recognized during a breakfast ceremony at G.W. Hunters restaurant in Post Falls.
"You are the true heroes of our community," Small told the volunteers. "What's it going to be like in 20 years because everybody is so busy with their own lives?"
RSVP earlier held a separate ceremony recognizing volunteers for area law enforcement agencies.
Congress created RSVP 42 years ago to capitalize on retirees' work ethic and willingness to serve into their retirement.
"It's harnessing the energy of people like you," Small said to the group.
Senior centers, food banks, thrift stores and hospitals are among the places where RSVP volunteers serve.
One of the volunteers, Tiny Couch, who serves at the Lake City Center in Coeur d'Alene, has volunteered 19,184 hours. She was unable to attend the recognition ceremony due to an injury.
"That is definitely a state RSVP record for volunteer hours," said Small, adding that he's inquiring how the number compares on the national level.
Those honored at the breakfast, their number of volunteer hours as of July 10 and the agency or agencies they volunteer for, are as follows:
More than 500 hours
Buck Fitzpatrick, 500, Coeur d'Alene Visitor's Bureau; Marni Brunansky, 503, Lake City Center; Pat Holst, 504, Humane Society Thrift Store; 508, Connie Montanye, Winton Elementary; Donald Minford 514, Borah Elementary; Ralph Snookal, 516, Kootenai Health, Coeur d'Alene Homes; Charles Farrey, 521, Bryan Elementary; Linda Fox, 528, Post Falls Senior Center; Joe Tilton, 529, PFSC; David Kellner, 532, CVB; Louise Snookal, 535, Kootenai Health, Cd'A Homes, Panhandle Health; Jack O'Brien, 539, Borah, Atlas elementary schools; Sue Sausser, 585, Panhandle Health; Geneva Peterson, 590, AAA; Ellen Bennett, 621, Hospice Thrift Store; Barbara Jordan, 629, PFSC; John Belknap, 629, Humane Society Thrift Store; Jayne Downs, 633, LCC; Jane Nelnon, 634, Hayden Meadows Elementary, Hospice; Dusty Rhoads, 654, SHIBA; Linda Lavoie, 658, LCC; Rollin Russell, 666, CVB; Herta Long, 676, CVB; Nyole Fuller, 727, CVB; John Boraas, 753, LCC; Lynn Brewer, 772, CVB; Martin Petersen, 774, AAA ombudsman; Jim Gordon, 779, AAA ombudsman; Lloyd Roedel, 796, Borah Elementary; Ginny Wright, 816, Borah, Panhandle Health; Shelly McCarty, 821, SHIBA; Milli Larse, 964, PFSC; Joy Fitzpatrick, 966, CVB; Kathy Eachon, 973, LCC.
More than 1,000 hours
Janice D'Arc, 1,048, Borah; Betty Bray-Baker, 1,054, Sorenson Elementary, Hospice Thrift; Jim Erlanger, 1,056, Kootenai Health, Red Cross, ARC; Ardella Quaale, 1,086, PFSC; Mamie Johnson, 1,088, PFSC; Patricia Piper, 1,107, Kootenai Health; Ellen Maitre, 1,153, Humane Society Thrift; Patricia Glenn, 1,193, LCC, Heritage Health; Sandy Coleman, 1,288, Borah and Kootenai Health; Sunny Lee Fagan, 1,319, PFSC; Kathryn Felts, 1,321, Ponderosa Elementary, Cd'A Homes, AAA; Evaly Adams, 1,339, Hospice Thrift; Marjorie Koski, 1,388, LCC; Barbara Zimmer, 1,394, Fernan Elementary, Cd'A Homes; Doris Bartlett, 1,408, Humane Society Thrift; Madie Pray, 1,540, CVB; Wayne Moeller, 1,555, PFSC; Marian Owsley, 1,693, Panhandle Health; Terri Clare, 1,744, PFSC; Patricia Heldreth, 1,848, Kootenai Health; Margaret O'Leeary, 1,943, Community Action Partnership; Ernest Carr Jr., 2,486, Post Falls Food Bank; Brank Bittick, 2,548, Teen Aid Project; Jack Waters, 3,549, LCC; Maxine Nelson, 3,928, Post Falls Food Bank; William Marmon, 4,007, Post Falls Food Bank; Pat Sims, 4,126, Hospice Thrift; Shirlee Bennett, 4,142, Post Falls Food Bank; Alta Haines, 4,861, LCC.
More than 5,000 hours
Ed Eichwalkd, 5,065, LCC, AAARP tax returns; Rena Hawley, 5,341, PFSC; Richard Hawley, 5,341, PFSC; David Dobbins, 8,015, LCC; Joan Waters, 11,492, LCC; Christina Cote, 13,246, LCC; Tiny Couch, LCC, 19,184.