(Atlantic, Iowa) – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Day of Service, Healthy Cass County and the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) have teamed up to sponsor a volunteer opportunity to make a
difference from the comfort of home. The group is asking volunteers to simply write cards or a letter with a bright message. Cards will be delivered to Cass County residents in early February.

Ingrid Stukerjurgen, RSVP Coordinator, said “Winter weather and fragile health often keep people home for longer periods of timeduring the winter. The same conditions might make it hard for some folks to get out and volunteer. This is a safe way to make a difference from home,” said  Volunteers can drop off or mail cards and letters to the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) by February 1. Volunteers may use their own cards, or Healthy Cass County has blank cards available for pick up at the ISU Extension Office.

People interested in card writing who do not have transportation are asked to contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-249-5870 or bhoegh@iastate.edu. Hoegh says “We don’t want transportation to be a barrier to
participating in card writing.” Although anyone can volunteer, Stukerjurgen says the group is especially looking to
engage volunteers, age 55 and better, who might want a weather-proof way to help their community, “We find that those who write cards get almost as much out of the experience as those who received them.”

The group is also looking for volunteers who are willing to deliver the cards as the weather permits. To volunteer or for questions, contact RSVP Coordinator, Ingrid Stukerjurgen at the Iowa Department on Aging, 515-975-3063 or email idarsvp@iowa.gov. Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator has also helped Healthy Cass County sponsor this opportunity in the past, “We have found that receiving these notes and cards can really brighten someone’s day, and that feeling carries over because they can re-read the messages,“ Hoegh added.

To nominate someone in Cass County who could use an uplifting card, email their name and address to idarsvp@iowa.gov or call 515-975-3063.

The Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) RSVP offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for adults age 55 and better to make a difference in their community. To learn more about IDA RSVP in Cass County, contact Ingrid Stukerjurgen by emailing idarsvp@iowa.gov or calling 515-975-3063.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County. Healthy Cass County is looking to increase representation from communities outside Atlantic.