Published: April 17, 2009 01:35 pm         

RSVP offers seniors a different course

You can only play so much golf.

It may sound shocking, but Bennie Mullins, executive director of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, has had men tell her that.

RSVP is a program that brings seniors from Enid and surrounding areas together to use their talents while volunteering in the community.

Mullins said RSVP has 915 volunteers at more than 20 volunteer stations.

“They volunteer in non-profit, social services and government agencies,” Mullins said.

RSVP also runs the senior citizens center, Senior Depot, at 202 W. Walnut, where there are many activities for seniors.

Anyone age 55 or older can join RSVP, and there is no financial, education, experience or income requirements. RSVP volunteers also receive several benefits, such as free liability insurance for driving to and from volunteer sites, supplemental health insurance to cover deductibles if an accident occurs while volunteering and mileage reimbursement.

“We pay mileage, 58 cents a mile,” said Mullins. “A lot of seniors are on a limited income. It just supplements them a little bit so they can afford gas.”

Seniors who may not wish to drive to their volunteer station don’t have to, said Mullins.

“We will pay the (Enid Transit) to pick them up at their residence and take them to their volunteer station,” said Mullins. “We try to help them do what they need to do.”

Mullins said she believes volunteering as a senior has many benefits.

“I think it keeps you interested and involved in your community,” said Mullins. “You stay in tune with what’s going on. It’s not only physical enhancement but also mental and emotional.”

It’s also a great way to make new friends.

“A lot of these volunteers become like family to these places (where they volunteer),” said Mullins.

And the volunteering seniors get to spend time with each other.

There is an annual RSVP banquet, and Mullins said usually between 300 and 500 RSVP volunteers attend.

This year they plan to have a luau.

Even though Mullins is the executive director of RSVP, she said she believes the success of the program lies in the volunteers and in the board.

“I have the greatest board of directors in the city of Enid,” said Mullins. “I have to give them all the credit.”