LANSING - The nation’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over has had a presence here in Lansing for over 40 years. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP has 500,000 volunteers across the country and 700 of those volunteers live here in Ingham County.

In addition to matching Seniors with outside work RSVP leads around 250 projects for the Seniors to partake in. One of them being Caring Hearts a group of women who sew and knit items like hats, scarves, and blankets for the needy. In 2013 the group made about 4,000 items and half way through 2014 the group is at about 3,000 items made.

Both employees and volunteers at RSVP show their passion for helping others.

Janet Clark Executive Director and RSVP director celebrates 25 years with the group and says she enjoys placing seniors with opportunities that they will get credit for.

Virginia Smith, who has volunteered with RSVP for almost 10 years explains her time with the group and states, “Not only do you have people that you can talk to, it also gets you out thinking about somebody else besides your self and I just enjoy it."