Senior began her RSVP experience at City of Fairfax Fall Festival

“I just cannot say enough about how much volunteering has benefited me,” says RSVP- Northern Virginia volunteer and engagement leader Sue Dussinger.

Dussinger began her RSVP experience in 2016 after volunteering at an information booth at the annual fall festival in the City of Fairfax with then-RSVP program manager Nadia Hoonan.
“It started me off knowing that I wanted to do more with RSVP,” Dussinger said of the experience. She has volunteered at the event every year since.

RSVP-Northern Virginia is offering a free seminar titled “The Art of Volunteering in Retirement,” Thursday, Oct. 17, at 1:30 p.m., at the Fairfax Central Library in Fairfax City. The one-hour event is free and open to the public. You can register by calling RSVP at 703-403-5360 or you can register online at RSVP Art of Volunteering Seminar. For a complete list of upcoming seminars please visit www.rsvpnova.org

RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), personally matches its members (who are all 55-years or better) with convenient, meaningful and fun volunteer experiences. RSVP works with more than 40 agencies and nonprofits including (in the Central Fairfax Area) JA Finance Park, Food For Others and Britepaths.

Prior to joining RSVP, Dussinger had more than a decade of volunteer work under her belt with Volunteer Fairfax’s Volunteers for Change program which she says she thoroughly enjoyed.
“I get more benefit (from volunteering) than the people I’m helping,” Dussinger says. “If that sounds selfish well…but I know I’m helping people. It really helps you (as a volunteer) grow a little bit.”

While at RSVP, Dussinger’s experiences have ranged from coordinating a monthly group service project at River Farm in Alexandria to helping at the resume review room at the annual 50+ Employment Expo each spring in Northern Virginia. She is also a regular volunteer driver for Fairfax County’s Volunteer Solutions.

RSVP offers more than 300 meaningful opportunities that include helping seniors age in place, assisting local food pantries, and teaching financial literacy. RSVP also recruits volunteers for various community events including the annual Northern Virginia Senior Olympics which just wrapped up in late September.

While RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance (while serving) and optional mileage and meal reimbursement, for most RSVP members, the social component of volunteering- the opportunity to stay connected- is key.

“Volunteering is a good way to keep social,” Sue says. “I have never in my life been a real ‘joiner’ but once you get into it (volunteering) you can’t stop. I love interacting with people.”
Dussinger, who after retiring in 2012 began working as a fitness specialist at a local health club (something she continues to do) also points to the health benefits of being a senior volunteer. “You really need to stay active. You need to keep moving as seniors,” she says.

Sue became interested in becoming an RSVP engagement leader after working with Ken Kozloff at the 2017 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. “I just liked the idea of helping to coordinate and to make it (the event) a good experience for the volunteers” she says. Why does Sue recommend volunteering with RSVP?

“I have been involved with two RSVP volunteer coordinators and both are excellent. I think that is where it starts. “They seem to seek out opportunities for us and they are laid out beautifully in our newsletter so you get to choose. There will probably be something that will interest you. They (the volunteer specialists) look for different opportunities because they know we are different people, Dussinger says.

“I think I can honestly say I have never regretted going on a single volunteer project That is a huge thing to be able to say,” she adds. “You meet the most wonderful people.”
To learn more about RSVP, please visit www.rsvpnova.org or you can call RSVP at 703-403-5360. To view RSVP’s current newsletter, please visit https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/programs/rsvp-northern-virginia/rsvp-media/
RSVP-Northern Virginia is a program of Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Alexandria and Volunteer Arlington.