Jerry May and Jo Preston,who are senior citizens themselves, feel very fortunate they are healthy so they can help other seniors. Here they are washing windows for a Saratoga homeowner.
SILVAR members washed hundreds of windows, trimmed a multitude of bushes, replaced numerous smoke detectors and furnace filters and did other household tasks in over 120 senior homes this week as part of the association's annual REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program (RSVP).
Every year in May, SILVAR members visit the homes of seniors who are physically and financially challenged. Members help the elderly with simple household tasks, like replacing light bulbs, changing furnace filters, washing windows, turning over mattresses, changing smoke detector batteries and light yard work.
RSVP is a community outreach project launched by SILVAR in 2001 to assist seniors and the homebound in communities within the Association's five districts of Menlo Park/Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos/Mountain View, Cupertino/Sunnyvale and Los Gatos/Saratoga. The program has expanded on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, with volunteers from neighboring REALTOR® associations helping seniors in their respective communities.
While the SILVAR RSVP volunteers trimmed bushes and weeded her yard, a Los Altos senior homeowner laughingly described herself as being "94 years old and experienced," and still able to play poker. She expressed her gratitude for the assistance. With only a son living in San Diego, she has no help. She said she has been availing of the REALTOR® service program for the past two years.
"Oh, lordy, I think the program is just wonderful! It's very fantastic," she exclaimed.
In Mountain View, an 80-year-old senior resident who lives alone and has no children, said she has requested help from SILVAR REALTORS® for the past five years.
"It's wonderful that they give up their time to help us. I used to do everything, but it's the high things I can't reach," she said, as RSVP volunteers Jamie Carmichael dusted her home and cleaned her bathroom mirrors, and Stanley Ku trimmed her bushes.
One Saratoga senior homeowner who is riddled with arthritis said she was a volunteer in the community for many years. "Now I am getting it back," she smiled.
The REALTORS® feel they get more out of the program than they give. "I just feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the seniors," said Carmichael.
Dennis Bower said he wants to serve the community. "Real estate is a people business. You have to be willing to be of service to your community," said Bower.
Owen Halliday said he has met many wonderful seniors during the 10 years he has served as an RSVP volunteer. "There are a lot of folks that have no one else to help them. We live in a great community, and it's nice to give back," said Halliday.
Many first-time volunteers, like Colin Clancy, said they enjoyed helping the seniors. "Many of my older friends and family need help and have a hard time doing the simplest things, like adjusting a screen door, which is something I can do for them in a matter of minutes," said Clancy.
Longtime volunteers like Jo Preston are senior citizens themselves. As she was washing windows for a Saratoga senior homeowner, Preston who has been an RSVP volunteer since the program's inception, said she feels good about helping other seniors.
"I feel so blessed and feel so grateful that I am okay physically that I'm willing to help someone else," said Preston.
"It is so great that we have continued to give back to our communities year after year. It's important to our seniors that we are there for them," said SILVAR RSVP Chair Eileen Giorgi. "I want to thank all the volunteers who helped out this year, and the RSVP district chairs, who took the time to organize assignments for their volunteers during this very busy season."
Approximately 180 volunteers from SILVAR assisted 123 senior households this year.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.