Trainers and participants of the RSVP Bone Builder Exercise Class meet

Thief River Falls RSVP Bone Builder Exercise Class trainers and participants recently gathered, representing more than 600 RSVP volunteers in the region, to commemorate and recognize National Senior Corp Week, May 18 – 22, 2015. 

One hundred thirteen committed RSVP volunteers, throughout the 7 county region,  diligently lead participants through the osteoporosis prevention classes twice per week.  Bone Builders is RSVP’s largest offering, with 32 separate classes enriching the lives of nearly 500 participants throughout the area.  Thief River Falls is home to 3 such classes which are offered to participants completely free of charge.  

Bone Builders incorporates strength, balance and flexibility exercises to combat bone loss and prevent falls due to balance issues.  “The longevity and integrity of RSVP’s Bone Builder Program is due to the steadfast efforts of our volunteer trainers,” RSVP Program Director Tammy Frohlich states.

National Senior Corp week is an opportunity to thank Senior Corps volunteers for their service and recognize the positive impact and value to our communities and nation. Volunteer service keeps older Americans active, healthy, and engaged, helps our communities by solving local problems, and helps our nation by saving taxpayer dollars, reducing healthcare costs and strengthening our democracy.   

RSVP volunteers are involved in many different areas of service, directly impacting individual lives and communities as a whole.  “RSVP volunteers are the ones who make their communities great places to live and to return to,” adds Frohlich.  

RSVP volunteers help build capacity and improve sustainability in organizations where they serve.  In Northwest Minnesota, during 2014, 606 RSVP volunteers served 53,208 hours, in 117 different jobs…jobs that promote positive change and meet the most pressing needs of communities, such as food shelves and Home Delivered Meals, senior transportation, leading Bone Builder exercise classes, grocery shopping or home maintenance for seniors, helping students with literacy, and so much more. 

RSVP of the Red River Valley collaborates with partnering volunteer agencies and volunteers, by providing mileage and meal reimbursement, supplemental insurance, recognition events and gifts, and occasional expense-paid training opportunities.  RSVP supports volunteers in Northwest Minnesota through financial assistance from State and Federal government, United Way of Crookston, and the Counties of Polk, Norman, Red Lake, Kittson, and Roseau.  

RSVP has been sponsored by the University of Minnesota Crookston for 40 years. Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 29 bachelor's degree programs, 20 minors, and 36 concentrations on campus--as well as 13 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.   "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.