RSVP supports purpose and belonging while strengthening communities
Wright County resident Barb Fraser has always cared deeply about her community. So, when she began preparing for retirement, she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t ready to slow down. Like many adults entering a new season of life, Barb wanted to stay active, connected, and useful — but on terms that fit her life and her family.
A short blurb in her local newspaper about an RSVP volunteer information session caught her eye. Curious, Barb decided to attend. What she discovered wasn’t just a list of opportunities — it was a reminder that her experience, time, and heart were still deeply needed right here at home.
“I was impressed,” Barb recalls. “It felt like a cool way to get involved and get started.”
For Barb, the biggest draw was choice. She didn’t want to feel locked into something overwhelming. She wanted flexibility and meaning. “RSVP is a one-stop shop,” Barb explains. “I’ve been able to learn about so many different opportunities, choose options that I want, and still be available for family and other commitments I have.” That freedom gave her the confidence to say yes.
Social and naturally curious, Barb quickly found herself diving into roles that felt both natural and fun. She’s cooked brats at community events, helped students in local schools, registered participants at an archery tournament, and assisted with local information sessions and coat distributions. She also participates in Happiness in Action, where small gestures of kindness, like making friendship bracelets, create meaningful moments for students – showing them they are cared about and teaching them to care for others in return.
Through these experiences, Barb began to see how small actions ripple outward. A warm coat handed to a neighbor. A welcoming smile at a busy event. A word of encouragement to a student. She realizes that simply showing up makes a difference in her community.
One role, however, has become especially meaningful. As a volunteer wish granter with Make-A-Wish Foundation, Barb walks alongside children and families throughout their entire wish journey — from approval to the day the wish comes true, a process that can take nine to eighteen months. She meets with families to learn about each child’s unique dream and personalize her interactions along the way.
Each month, Barb connects with the child. She sends themed cards, brings themed crafts and treats, and creates surprises to keep excitement and hope alive and provide reassurance that someone truly cares. Seeing a child’s face light up is something she treasures — knowing she is helping to spread hope and joy — experiences she believes every child should have.
Volunteering with RSVP has also given Barb something just as important in return. “It keeps me busy, I meet new people, and I learn new things,” she says. “This is a healthy thing for me. I need places to go and places need me.”
For Barb, volunteering isn’t just about filling time in retirement. It’s about purpose. It’s about belonging to the community she calls home. It’s about proving that her best years aren’t behind her.
Barb isn’t slowing down — she’s showing up. And in doing so, she’s quietly changing lives, one small act of kindness at a time.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is a personalized volunteer-matching program for adults 55+ in Central Minnesota. RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) connects individuals with local nonprofits, schools, and government agencies based on their interests, skills, and availability, offering flexible options and ongoing support. RSVP makes volunteering easy, impactful, and rewarding for both volunteers and the community. RSVP is proud to be funded in part by the Wright County Area United Way and Wright County Health and Human Services. To learn more about RSVP and opportunities to volunteer, visit www.RSVPcentralmn.org.
For those interested in learning about local volunteer opportunities, the Wright County AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP contact is Amy Johnson. Amy can be reached by email at: amy.johnson@ci.stcloud.mn.us or by calling 763-765-4505.
