NILES — Seniors who have been giving back to their communities got some well-deserved acknowledgement last Friday as AmeriCorps Seniors took over Eastwood Field for its Volunteer All Stars recognition event.

Approximately 75 local volunteers with the Foster Grandparents and RSVP — Retired Senior Volunteer Program — were invited to drive up to the stadium or walk through the concourse and collect recognition gifts like flowers, mugs, bags and T-shirts. Volunteers also were treated with lunch to go, and, of course, a picture with Mahoning Valley Scrappers mascot Scrappy.

Gerard Kelly, director of RSVP, said that volunteering provides recognition for seniors, which is what the All Stars event was all about. It also keeps seniors active and healthier.

“It gets them out and about so there’s physical activity, there’s social interaction,” Kelly said. “Studies have shown that seniors who volunteer have better health outcomes than seniors who don’t.”

Bob and Anna Marie Granny of Niles drive a route in Niles for Trumbull Mobile Meals.

“We are retired and we love giving back to the community,” Anna Marie Granny said.

She said she has built relationships with the people to whom she delivers food.

“Your clients become like your friends,” she said.

“I do this because I love kids, but my kids are grown and out of the house,” said Leona Caldwell of Youngstown, a volunteer with Foster Grandparents.

Cheryl Butler of Youngstown, who volunteers at an after-school program and Phone Pals, among several other programs, said she does it “because God told us we are supposed to reach out to help. God has given me a heart to love people.”

RSVP connects adults 55 “and better” with nonprofits, health agencies and schools throughout the Valley.

“We’re like a volunteer matchmaker — we help them find that right fit that fits their schedule their mobility, what their interests are,” Leah Sakacs, volunteer coordinator for RSVP, said.

RSVP focuses on food security, education and companionship, and helps place volunteers in soup kitchens, schools, after-school programs, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Before COVID-19, volunteers also provided companionship in person, but RSVP now promotes a strong “telefriend” program.

Foster Grand-parents, which is geared toward working with students in school, also has gone virtual.

“They have really been troopers with learning that technology. The oldest volunteer is in her 90s, so to try to learn how to use an iPad to do these Zoom mentoring, tutoring sessions with the students, it’s been a challenge.”

Still, most everyone is continuing to do what they can to give back.

RSVP’s local group has almost 800 volunteers in 15 counties in Ohio, including Trumbull, Mahoning and Ashtabula, according to Kelly. While the oldest local volunteer is around 92 years old, there’s no cap on doing good work. Kelly said he met an AmeriCorps Senior volunteer in Washington, D.C., who was 104 and still volunteering in schools four days per week.

Seniors interested in volunteering with RSVP can visit www.rsvp.fcsserves.org or call 330-480-0352 for the Mahoning and Trumbull County office.

avugrincic@tribtoday.com