Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: January 18, 2006

HEALTH Presents Community Partnership Award to Cranston RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) presented the first Community Partnership Award to an organization the Cranston RSVP. Cecile Beauvais, Chairwoman of the United Parcel Seniors accepted the award.

HEALTH's Community Partnership Award is presented to individuals and/or groups who engage in exceptional community efforts that support the mission of HEALTH. From September 2005 to September 2006, the RSVP personnel volunteered 1,716 hours of work to prepare and mail 22,770 parcels containing informational and educational materials on behalf of HEALTH. There are approximately 50 volunteers in the RSVP program and 18 to 20 volunteers who work with large mailings. This group is called UPS, United Parcel Seniors.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is part of the National Corporation for Community Service, which was established in the 1960's, and has been active in the Cranston Senior Center since 1982, the RSVP program is managed by David Quiora, Director of the RSVP.

The Department is pleased to be able to work with such a distinguished and effective program. RSVP provides invaluable services for the community and supports HEALTH's mission to promote and protect the health and safety of Rhode Islanders.