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RSVP | Lead with Experience

By Bill Sedlacek
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

Faith and Service: A Good Fit

RSVP Directors note: Sometimes people think that, because RSVP is government funded, we cannot support faith-based volunteerism, but that’s not true. We work closely with many organizations such as Churches United and Salvation Army in their services to those in need. In addition, we work directly with some churches in their community outreach such as recruiting tutors for Broadway Presbyterian’s after-school, Survival English, and summer programs. By far the biggest way RSVP volunteers support faith-based activities is by volunteering at food pantries, community kitchens and community gardens. The only things we can’t count are activities that promote religion directly, such as helping with religious services or newsletters. However, Bill will be happy to know that, if he ever does get the opportunity to shovel snow at the Florida church as he mentions in his article, church maintenance can count for RSVP too. Churches and RSVP are both excellent ways to get involved in a new community. So, it makes sense they should partner when it’s appropriate.

– Dave Layton

Pastor Jen Daysa of the Good Samaritan Church in Pinellas Park, Florida begins each Sunday service with a bright and welcoming smile as she says, “Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. And we really mean it!” After attending a few services and getting to know the extent of the members’ volunteer activity in the community, Sylvia and I thought that she should add this to her opening message, “And if you stumble on your journey, we will lift you up and do our best to help you get back on the path to a productive life.”

Sylvia and I found Good Samaritan while looking for a church to attend during our winters here. Our main consideration was that getting there should not require a long drive in the NASCAR-type traffic that the folks down here describe as “light.” After attending for a few Sundays and hearing about the tremendous amount of good works the church does with only 86 parishioners (seasonal members included) we realized we made a good choice.

One of their more impressive efforts we learned of is their food pantry. During last full year of available data, they
provided emergency food 3,187 times and gave out 62 Thanksgiving bags. Not content to just feed someone for a day, the food pantry uses a computer software to track a client’s pattern of need and identify ways to help them transition into a life where they do not need emergency food. Other churches, businesses, and a local Girl Scout group also collect and donate food for the pantry to distribute.

Other activities of Good Samaritan include:

• Providing space for a Head Start Center at a reduced rental rate
• Promoting a juvenile civil citations bill. This bill, supported by the local sheriff, would ensure that first time non-violent juvenile offenders are given a second chance and would not incur an arrest record because of one minor mistake
• Helping to sponsor a girls’ school in South Africa by providing tuition assistance
• Sponsoring a mission in Sierra Leone

In addition, they are aligned with over 40 other faith-based organizations in more causes than I can recount. These causes seek to promote social justice in many ways, and they are not new efforts. The Church has been around for over a century and has a proud record of spirited outreach to the community.

I mainly write about the volunteer work of others and don’t do much volunteering myself anymore. When I looked at the work of Good Samaritan folks I felt I should contribute more, so I offered to shovel the Church entry whenever two or more inches of snow fell in Pinellas Park. The Deacons did not take me up on the offer and all I got in reply were blank stares. Do you think maybe it wasn’t enough and I should have offered to shovel after only one inch of snow?

You can learn more about faith-based volunteer opportunities and many others by contacting RSVP at (309) 793-4425 or emailing rsvp@wiaaa.org.