Mann volunteers with RSVP to help seniors with taxes
By Scott Aust, The Garden City Telegram, Kan. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"You know, you just can't not do anything," Mann said of his volunteerism. "And there's a real source, there. Marty (
Better known as RSVP, the senior volunteer agency is one of 25 agencies and programs receiving funds from the
RSVP, which operates out of the
Mann, 86, has been a
"Nothing there now, but I guess they still have a post office," Mann said.
After growing up in southwest
Mann started volunteering shortly after retirement.
"I started really in '92, volunteering to do income tax work, and that program went through RSVP," he said.
"He was my mentor. I wasn't an accountant or anything," Mann said. "We had an
The tax preparation program had been offered by the
"It made it easy for clients to come in," he said.
RSVP has been a
The average age of an RSVP volunteer is about 78, but volunteers range from 55 to their 90s and give to agencies across the community.
RSVP provides volunteers for the
RSVP tries to match a volunteer's interests with community agencies and organizations that need help. Volunteers must put in an hour of time each quarter to remain in the program. But some volunteers put in much more time.
Mann and his wife have two daughters, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, including a new one about a month ago. Regarding hobbies, Mann said he used to do a bit of woodworking in the past.
"The same year I retired, our youngest daughter who lives in
Over the years, Mann has volunteered on a number of other programs, including giving tours at the bison range for the
Mann didn't need to think long when asked what he enjoys about volunteering.
"I think it's the people. I think that's one great benefit that RSVP does that maybe not a lot of people know about. You get to work with people, and then, all of a sudden, it's over. I've met many people, made friends," he said.
Mann definitely would recommend volunteering to others, and would also recommend RSVP.
"It's a little about serving. It's also something to do," he said. "You know, you don't have to be there at 8 o'clock in the morning. You don't have to go to that meeting that lasted until midnight. And the senior center itself provides a lot of activities."
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