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RSVP Volunteers Honored

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 11, 2009

SAN ANTONIO - Thus far in the 2008-2009 service year for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Pasco County, 24,708 of those with RSVP have put in 363,578 hours of volunteer service.

"That's an increase of 23 percent over last year," said Heather Fiorentino, superintendent of schools for Pasco County and one of the featured speakers at Monday's "Volunteers: The Crown Jewels of Our Pasco Community," the 2008-2009 Recognition Luncheon for RSVP Outstanding Volunteers.

Whether they're reading books to children at Pasco schools, bringing a needed drink of water to a patient at a hospital, or bringing a smile to the face of a senior citizen at a CARES facility, Fiorentino told the RSVP volunteers gathered at San Antonio's Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club that they "are making a difference" in Pasco.

"It's such a rarity that we get to serve you," she said. "It's you that serves the community."

Volunteers were served in a variety of ways at this luncheon, the first of four scheduled throughout the month of March in Pasco County; remaining luncheons will take place at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey. Each received a crown, a plaque, a meal and a free ticket for an event drawing that offered gift baskets and certificates.

They also were the recipients of kind words of praise, offered in abundance by event speakers.

"Thank you for letting us honor you for all you do for children in our school system, and for our hospitals and agencies," said Maureen Moore, director of communications and the government relations department for the Pasco County School District.

"This is the 35th year for RSVP in the Pasco County School District," said Randee Williams, RSVP supervisor of volunteer programs. "We couldn't do what we do without you."

"We recognize the countless hours and dedication you give to this community," said Allison Broihier, director of development of Pasco Education Foundation. "You improve the quality of life for all of us."

After a reading of Linda Ellis' "The Dash," performed by River Ridge High School student Caitlin Matthews, Randee Williams, RSVP coordinator John Trouse and RSVP committee members Paula Roman-Klawikofsky and Debra Golinski distributed plaques and crowns to the 2008-2009 RSVP Outstanding Volunteers in attendance at the luncheon. This year's honored volunteers are:

Judy De Petrillo, who volunteers for the Alzheimer's Family Organization; Janet Hill, Anclote Elementary; Rose Alexander, Calusa Elementary; Prema Nareddy, CARES Claude Pepper Senior Center; Martha Hunter, CARES Elfers Senior Center; Madelaine Woodman, CARES-Hudson/Bayonet Point Senior Center; Suzanne Ryker, Centennial Elementary; Norman Ockers, Centennial Middle; Leo Whaley, Rushe Middle School; Barbara Stricker, Chasco Elementary; Barbara Hauser, Chasco Middle; Kathleen and James Yashinsky, Community Hospital; Laura and Charles Fisher, Cotee River Elementary School; Sharon Black, Cypress Elementary School; and all RSVP volunteers at Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County.

Also, George Pratt, Deer Park Elementary School; Bessie Rabon, Elderly Nutrition Program Galen Wilson; Katherine Gladieux, Elderly Nutrition Southgate; Margaret Francis, Fox Hollow Elementary School; Joseph Rizzo, Gulf High School; Sandra Conway, Gulfside Elementary School; Sonja Hale, Hernando-Pasco Hospice in New Port Richey; Francene "Fran" Trantina, Hudson Elementary School; Virginia Cochran, Hudson Middle School; Harry Tadda, Marlowe Elementary School; Gail Schafer, Lacoochee Elementary School; Marilyn O'Donnell, Lake Myrtle Elementary School; Holly Oder, Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind; Stanley Rubin, Longleaf Elementary School; and Ethel Beaty, Marchman Technical Education Center.

Also, Penny Norton, Giella Elementary School; Connie and Ron Bechdolt, Locke Elementary School; Patricia Parker, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital; Audrey Lake, Morton Plant Mease Trinity Outpatient and Surgery Center; Ethel Miller, Northwest Elementary School; Evelyn Caplick, Orchard Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center; Elizabeth "Betsey" Schuler, Pasco Arts Council; John Schwartz, Pasco County Sheriff's Office; Joy Meyers, Pasco Elementary School; Ann Donahue, Pasco Regional Medical Center; Lawrence R. Breeds, Stewart Middle School; Gus Jakobs, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point; Patricia Sizemore, Richey Elementary School; Diane Ricci, River Ridge High School; Mary Grau, Safety Town; Bette D'Water, San Antonio Elementary School; and Renee Glassman, Sand Pine Elementary.

Also, Carol Trezza, Schrader Elementary School; Gary Depp, Shady Hills Elementary School; Barbara Wilkins and Ernie Vanselow, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation, east side; Louise and Les Garone, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation, west side; Violet Fenton, Seven Springs Elementary; Giselle Puddick, S.O.L.V.E.; Leona Ludolf, Sunray Elementary School; Patricia Tilotta, T.E. Weightman Middle School; Alma Cote, Trinity Elementary School; Roy Jones, Trinity Oaks Elementary School; Margaret Gillette, Wesley Chapel Elementary School; Charles Meister, West Pasco Judicial Center; all the RSVP volunteers at West Pasco Pregnancy Center; Shirley Lawson, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; and Shirley Gostinger, Woodland Elementary School.

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