Area resident named RSVP Volunteer of the Year

You don’t have to sell Shelley Brosnan on the concept that volunteers make a difference. She’s seen it first-hand.

Shortly after becoming a member of RSVP-Northern Virginia three years ago, the retired senior business administrator was staffing an outreach table at the annual 50+ Expo held in Fairfax each spring, a free volunteer driven event where job seekers 50+ can get free resume reviews and meet with recruiters.

Brosnan noticed a woman crying. “She was overjoyed,” Brosnan says. The woman had just been offered a job. “We were all absolutely thrilled, it was the best thing that could have happened,” Brosnan says. The story is vintage Shelley, according to those who know her best.

RSVP-Northern Virginia will hold a free seminar on volunteering in retirement, Tuesday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m., at Kings Park Community Library in Burke. The one-hour event is free and open to the public. RSVP Volunteer of the Year Shelley Brosnan will share her experiences as an RSVP volunteer during the event. To sign up online, please visit June 4 RSVP Seminar Sign up

“Shelley truly puts the needs of others before her own. She has committed to a life of volunteerism and it is quite inspiring,” says Carly Hubicki, the former RSVP volunteer specialist who worked with Brosnan for the last two years.

Brosnan, a Fairfax resident who lives outside of Burke, was named Fairfax County’s RSVP-Northern Virginia Volunteer of the Year in April during Volunteer Fairfax's annual volunteer recognition and awards breakfast in Springfield.

Established in 1993, the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards serve as a community-wide celebration of volunteerism. The awards honor individuals, groups and organizations that have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs.

Brosnan says she has been volunteering most of her life. “Giving back is what I really enjoy doing,” she says.

RSVP-Northern Virginia (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is a program of Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Arlington and Volunteer Alexandria which provides personalized support to those 55 and better who are seeking fun, social and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

RSVP offers more than 300 meaningful volunteer opportunities that support more than 40 of the top local nonprofits and agencies. RSVP volunteers like Brosnan help residents age in place, promote health among seniors and help those in need.

Brosnan began sharing her time and talents through Volunteer Fairfax nearly 20 years ago. In addition to her work with RSVP, she also volunteers at least 8-12 hours week for Volunteer Fairfax’s Volunteers For Change and Alternative Community Service programs, both managed by Kim Luckabaugh.

Volunteers for Change provides flexible weekend and evening volunteer opportunities for busy adults with a desire to serve. Brosnan expanded her volunteering to RSVP in 2016.

Brosnan holds volunteer leadership positions in both RSVP and VfC. As an RSVP engagement leader, Brosnan helps shepherd new volunteers through the on boarding process and helps spread the word on the program at outreach events.

The list of organizations Brosnan supports encompasses a wide array of causes in Northern Virginia including Arlington Street Peoples Assistance Network, Food for Others, Children’s Science Center, Food and Friends, Britepaths, The Shepherd Center of Annandale Springfield, FACETS, ALIVE! Food Distribution, Cornerstones, BRAWS, Toys for Tots and Together We Bake.

Brosnan was a gold recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2017, donating more than 550 hours. “This is not the first time she has received that honor, as it is a regular event for her, one that she consistently downplays,” according to Hubicki “Her heart is truly in the moment of helping others.”

Despite the enormity of hours she volunteers, Brosnan still finds time to travel, read and go to the gym several times a week. “Believe it or not I am able to fit all that in,” she says, thanks in part to the flexibility of scheduling and opportunities groups like RSVP and VFC offer.

“You get to decide what you want to do. You get to pick what is it that you enjoy and what has meaning and is fun for you, she says of RSVP.

“Shelley not only models a true volunteer spirit, but actively engages in the betterment of our community through her selflessness,” says Hubicki “Her friends frequently tell her that she is busier in retirement because of her volunteering than she was when she worked full time.”

“She cares so much about so many causes and people and needs that she literally is the type of person who would give you the shirt off of her back to care for you,” Luckabaugh says.

“She is absolutely a role model. When I tell people who is the volunteer that has made the biggest impact in my life just by inspiration it is Shelley Brosnan, without a doubt” Luckabaugh says.

In addition to providing the opportunity to “give back,” Brosnan says she appreciates the social aspects of volunteering with RSVP, a program that offers free and personalized support to those 55 and better looking for meaningful, social and fun volunteer experiences.

“I like the chance to be able to meet other seniors. I have made friends through the program,” she says.

One of those friends is RSVP and VfC volunteer Sue Dussinger. The two women met 13 years ago during a food distribution project with ALIVE in Old Town Alexandria, something they have continued to take part in month ever since. Dussinger nominated Brosnan for the RSVP honor.

The two are also fixtures at RSVP’s monthly group service projects held at different nonprofits throughout the are, events that not only help others but serve as social occasions for volunteers.

What make Brosnan so special?

“First of all, she is so willing, once she gets involved there is no stopping her, Dussinger says. She does not just do the job, she wants to get into it and know why she is doing it. Shelley has just got that certain drive. Volunteering and helping others is just so very important to her, ” Dussinger says.

She is very caring very concerned with those less fortunate Dussinger says of her friend. “Shelley would help me in any way she could if I needed it”

Hubicki says “A need cannot exist around Shelley where she will not try everything in her power to help out.”

Brosnan’s reasons for volunteering are many.

“The giving back is so very important and that I can maybe make a difference in the lives of people but it is also good for me,” she explains. “I think its (beneficial) both physically and mentally. You have to have a reason to get up in the morning. I love the opportunities I have just really enjoyed it .”

“The people I talk to tell me, ‘we are so appreciative that you are doing the rides or that you are here helping,” Brosnan say. They are very appreciative. “I am a lucky person” I feel I am very fortunate in that I am in retirement getting to do what I am enjoying out of life.”

Hubicki says Shelley’s dedication to service is evident in everything that she does and it inspires those around her. “Many of my other volunteers have commented on the amazing work that Shelley does and how it pushes them to do more.”

Janet Davison, RSVP-Northern Virginia’s program manager who has known Brosnan for nearly a decade says “ thanks to volunteers like Shelley, volunteerism continues to flourish. Shelley is a caring and incredible volunteer and leader whose impact is immeasurable.”

Those interested in learning more about RSVP or in signing up for an upcoming RSVP event should contact RSVP Northern Virginia at 703-403-5360, or email RSVP at rsvpnova@gmail.com or visit the RSVP website at www. rsvpnova.org. To learn about other service events and service opportunities available thru RSVP, please read the group's newest e-newsletter!