Volunteers create doll clothes for kids

April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week. This year's theme is "Celebrating People In Action." The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program recruits and places volunteers who are 55 and older wishing to share a lifetime of experience.

RSVP volunteers have been giving time in both McHenry and Kane counties since 1987. Because of RSVP volunteers, meals are delivered to the frail elderly. Food is distributed at local pantries; money is raised by those who give countless hours at local resale shops; and tax aide volunteers just completed a grueling season of free tax preparation.

This national service program now boasts 500,000 members nationally. Last year, 658 individuals gave more than 77,000 hours of their time to local nonprofit agencies. Learn how you can become part of the solution. Contact RSVP Director, Deborah Danitz at (800) 339-3200. This program is sponsored locally by Senior Services Associates Inc.

RSVP volunteer Donna Koerner recently participated in a project to create doll clothes for children at a local Head Start. Koerner gives countless hours crocheting and sewing with the "Crafty Hookers" who meet weekly at the McHenry Senior Center. The group creates handmade items including: lap robes for nursing home residents; caps for service members overseas; and mittens, hats and doll clothes for children at Head Start sites in McHenry County. In order to continue with these projects, the volunteers are in need of yarn. They welcome any donations from people cleaning out their craft closets.