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Annual RSVP Information Fair Set To Expand

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: January 24, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Maybe you or a loved one has a new medical concern. Maybe you are facing an unfamiliar financial situation. Maybe you find yourself out of work for the first time in a long time or you think you may be there soon and need to dust off your job-hunting skills.

"Where do I go for information or for help?" can be a question that complicates such stressful situations.

For one day, a single answer will cover many people facing various questions.

The Pasco School District's Retired Senior Volunteer Program will present the second annual Community Awareness Fair from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St.

RSVP is a nationwide federally funded program administrated locally by the school district. The event debuted last year as the Senior Community Fair. Its purpose was to create a one-stop event where seniors could get acquainted with organizations and services where they can get information and assistance in all areas of day-to-day living.

This year, according to John Trouse, the School District's RSVP coordinator, there are so many people of all ages in need of one form of assistance or another, many of whom are unaccustomed to being in that position. So this year the decision was made to rename the event the Community Awareness Fair and to emphasize that it is open to all ages.

"Basically, what we're trying to do is reach out because of economic conditions," Trouse said.

And since the fair is intended to serve a wider range of patrons, the list of participating businesses and agencies is being expanded, to more than 70. They include Career Central, Volunteer Way, Sertoma Speech and Hearing, Salvation Army, United Way, CARES, Habitat for Humanity, Pasco County Community Development, Florida Department of Children and Families and area hospitals and clinics.

"We're trying to get a mix of organizations," Trouse said. "The event's goal is to connect people of all ages to community resources, especially important in today's economic climate."

As a senior fair, there was an emphasis on healthcare service. That will still be a major part of the event, with information and free screenings pertaining to various parts of the body.

In addition, guests can bring in their resumes for a checkup, find out about various family services and get financial and legal advice.

Along with their time, the participating agencies will also be donating prizes for a raffle that will be held throughout the day, Trouse said.

Admission to the Community Awareness Fair is free, and there will be free hot dogs, soft drinks and other refreshments, as well.

For more information, call Trouse at 727-841-4560 or New Port Richey Parks and Recreation Director Elaine Smith at 727-774-2604.

Participants

As of press time, the following businesses and organizations are signed up to participate in the Community Awareness Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center.

AAA Auto Club

AAAPP/SHINE/SMP

Abilities Incorporated

All Children's Hospital

All Pets Hospital

Alzheimer's Family Organization

Atria Windsor Woods

Barbara A. Epstein (Attorney)

Barrows Clark Consulting

Benco Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Big Brother Big Sister

Career Central

CARES West Pasco

Central Florida Institute

Community Hospital

The Cottages

Councilate Health Care

Customer Credit

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Department of Children & Families

Experience Works

Family Behavioral Health Services

Fifth Third Bank

Florida Cancer Institute

Florida West Coast Credit Union

Food with Care Inc.

Gentiva Health Services

Good Samaritan Health Clinic

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services

Gulfside Regional Hospice

H & R Block

The Harbor-Safe Children's Coalition

Hernando-Pasco Hospice

Home Helpers

Home Instead Senior Care

Hook Law Group

Humana Market point

Jennifer Gardens

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired

Med Fleet

Medicine Shoppe

Morgan Funeral Home

National Cremation Society

New Port Richey Public Library

Nikken

North Bay Hospital

Pasco Animal Services

Pasco Co. Community Development

Pasco Co. Elderly Nutrition

Pasco Emergency Management

Pasco Human Services

Pasco Health Dept.

Pasco Parks & Recreation

Pasco Public Transportation

Pasco Sheriff's Office

Pasco-Hernando Community College

Radiology Associates

Rasmussen College

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point

Response Link

Richey Suncoast Theatre

Safe Kids

Senior Home Companions

Senior Living Guide

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation

Silver Solutions Gent. Care Mgmt

Social Security Administration

SOLVE of West Pasco

Southern Pines Healthcare

Stacey's Hair Co.

Suncoast Epilepsy Assoc.

Suncoast Eye Center

Sunset Bay

Sunshine Christian Homes

Synovus Bank

United Way/IRS/VITA

Volunteer Way

Wellcare

Wellcrest

West Pasco Habitat for Humanity

Williams, Ristoff & Proper

Windmoor Health Care

Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or klowry@suncoastnews.com.

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