Swansea, MA

More than 200 participants in CFC’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) from the Fall River and Taunton areas attended the annual RSVP Recognition Breakfast on June 18, 2008 at the Venus De Milo restaurant in Swansea.

Bill Leary, Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, introduced the Cliftonaires, a singing group of Retired Senior Volunteers that perform for residents in area nursing homes. Prior to breakfast being served, the group entertained attendees with songs from days past, led by Tillie Lima on piano.

CFC’s Executive Director, Mark A. Sullivan, Jr. praised the work performed by the volunteers, stating “I want to thank you on behalf of all the people you help. With the high cost of fuel and gasoline, along with the increasing overall cost of providing social services, the effort of volunteers takes on a more vital role in the community”. Sullivan went on to say, “CFC received more than 14,000 requests for fuel assistance this winter and each month more than 700 families wait in line for a bag of food at CFC’s Food Pantry”. “It’s getting more and more difficult for families to get by, and our volunteers help in so many ways”, Sullivan added.

Mrs. Joan B. McKinnon of Newton, a volunteer math tutor at the Bennett School in Taunton, received the annual Olivia Giannini Volunteerism Award. Mrs. McKinnon was nominated by Michele A. Higgins, a second grade teacher at the Bennett School. Ms. Higgins stated, “It has been a pleasure to have Mrs. McKinnon provide math help to the students in our Grade 2 program. She brings a wealth of experience from when she was a classroom teacher. She has been able to assess the needs of her students and provide the extra support that is needed to master needed skills.” Mrs. McKinnon said that she loves working with the children and helping them to understand and solve math problems. Joanne Green, Senior Volunteer Coordinator in Taunton, wishes she had more volunteers like Joan. “Joan’s help allows students that are having difficulties with math to achieve parity with their classmates.”

Also on hand for the ceremonies were Representatives David B. Sullivan and Kevin Aguiar; Senator Joan Menard’s Chief of Staff, Barbara Laughlin; and Taunton Budget Director Gill Enos, representing Taunton Mayor Charles Crowley.

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