How many Rancho Bernardans know that the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol monitors the elementary schools in RB twice a day, five times a week? They patrol at the opening and closing hours of the schools and are particularly looking out for stragglers and those walking alone.

In addition to their popular Home Vacation Checks, for the past two months (238 checks), they also have been working with Homeland Security every day checking several locations; they fax Police Headquarters all routine information daily. However, if suspicious activities are noted, they call for a sworn officer to check. Who knew?

RSVP members also drive by all RB banking parking lots two times a day at varied times of the day.

The group also has had a daily Crime Prevention (CP) list for the past two and a half years. This CP records places where problems have been reported to them in the past. To date, they have made 5,500 checks in this pursuit.

Their YANA (You Are Not Alone) program has been a success for the past ten years – a total of over 33,000 visits spent checking on you or your loved ones, or those with temporary or permanent disabilities, on a daily or weekly basis. Call them at 538-8146 if you or someone you know needs or wants this very special, caring service - at no charge.

All in all, your RSVP has logged over 228,000 hours of volunteer service in Rancho Bernardo. And they need your help. They need more volunteers to don the light blue uniform with the silver badge.

Marie Graver, assistant administrator, tells me that they now have 62 active members; 2 in training and 2 to start the next class in January. She says they are still hoping for a full complement of 80 volunteers. Call 538-8146 if you are retired, 50 years or older, have a valid California driver’s license and want to help your community. She’ll explain the setup to you.

Here’s the latest roster of the great RSVP group that does so much for RB: Merv Adams, Jim Artherton, Barbara Athans, Jim Baker, Lola Bellinger, Bob Bertschy, Bob Bond*, Phil Bridgham, Garry Butterfield, Virgil Calhoon, Roy Christensen, David Cohen, Dan Conner, B.J. Curtiss, Bob De Renzy, John Dussault, Ben Dyas, Toni Edberg, Maury Eis, Ben Franchi, Norm Gillespie, Stan Gingold, Jerry Goldstein, Marie Graver, Art Handell, Helen Harte, Clint Henderson, Mary Herman, Morri Herscovitz, Bob Hohberg, Dick Hooper, Vern Hudson, Don Jacobs, Frank Kneebone, Jim Lampasso, Tom Loftis, Jack Loos, Frank Maclachlan, Gracie Marz*, Dick Mears, Terry Morrissey, Ralph Mulroy, Norm Murkoff, Bob Owens, Dick Perry, Adrienne Posterick, Jean Richmond, Ken Root, Pat Rucker, Ben Secor, Bob Serrano, Fred Shaw, Bob Showalter, Al Singer, Bob Smith, Hobart Steely, Paul Steeves, Bob Steinhauser, Dick Stukey, Bill Talcott, Bill Taylor, Frank Terschan, Richard Van Overmeiren and Toni Van Overmeiren.  (*to graduate 9-26-03.)