Event Coverage

RSVP a huge success this year

During the week of May 7-12, 570 Realtors and affiliates on the Peninsula and in the South Bay visited nearly 400 households and helped senior residents and the homebound with household tasks the residents cannot do on their own. In SILVAR's five districts alone, 345 volunteers helped 208 senior residents.

The week-long activity is part of SILVAR's Realtor Service Volunteer Program (RSVP), an annual outreach program in which Realtors and affiliates help seniors and the homebound with household tasks like washing windows, installing smoke detector batteries, flipping mattresses, light vacuuming, dusting, replacing light bulbs, changing furnace filters, trimming bushes and installing house numbers.

The annual community service program was started by Realtors in each of the five districts of SILVAR in 2001. RSVP was then adopted as an official association community outreach project the following year by SILVAR in 2002. The program expanded to members of the San Mateo County Association of Realtors® (SAMCAR) in 2003. The Fresno Association of Realtors® followed suit two years ago.

"This year we were able to significantly increase our number of Realtor and affiliate volunteers, as well as the number of seniors whom we were able to assist," said Eileen Giorgi, who heads SILVAR's RSVP program.

This year, SAMCAR reported 183 volunteers assisted 149 seniors in San Mateo County.
What made this year's program even more special was the participation of members of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors® (SCCAOR), whose 42 volunteers assisted 37 seniors living in Santa Clara County.

Some seniors SILVAR Realtors and affiliates helped included an elderly gentleman who was just recovering from a fall and a bout with pneumonia; an 81-year-old woman who sprained her ankle and had difficulty walking and bending down; and an 84-year-old lady who is hard of hearing and has glaucoma and osteoporosis.

In Palo Alto, 87 Realtors and affiliates helped 57 senior households. Palo Alto residents Charles and Ruth Clark warmly greeted SILVAR's RSVP volunteers John St. Clair III, Jo Anne Dolan, Pam Page and Dan Dykwel when they arrived at their home, ready to trim the branches off their trees.

"We can't do everything like we used to do. We're happy and pleased with what's offered and appreciate it," said Charles Clark.

Some volunteers covered as many as five homes a day. At the end of the week, the volunteers were tired, but pleased with their accomplishments.

Nancy Soule, whose crew included Joseph Weinstein, Gary Soule and Patrick Fitzsimmons, reported assisting a senior who needed much help with housekeeping chores due to problems with her eyesight.

"We vacuumed, scrubbed floors and bathroom, moved storage items, flipped her mattress, cleaned a picture window, and fixed her kitchen disposal. She was thrilled with the work, as she has been unable to see to do these things, but her greatest thrill was that we found her eyeglasses, which had been lost to her and on her carpet for a few weeks!" Soule said.
 
"It is very rewarding to share conversation and friendship with these seniors and complete basic and necessary household tasks for them," said Giorgi. "And it is also very satisfying at the end of the RSVP week to know we have made a valuable contribution in giving back to our communities."

At the end of the week RSVP volunteers gathered at BJ's Brewery in Cupertino to celebrate a job well-done. Some are already planning next year's program, with talks of expanding RSVP further to other AORs in the Bay Area.

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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 email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.

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