Pittsfield RSVP Honors Betty Ziter As Volunteer of the Year
Mayor Linda Tyer said Ziter had put in an estimated 1,307 hours with RSVP.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In the last seven years, Elizabeth "Betty" Ziter has put in an estimated 1,307 volunteer hours with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program.
And for that, she was honored as the 2016 RSVP volunteer of the year.
"Betty brings a positive attitude to her role and is always willing to help anyone in need," Mayor Linda Tyer said.
"Betty is a devoted and trustworthy volunteer with an estimated 1,307 hours over the last seven years. She takes initiative without looking for recognition."
Tyer was joined by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Michael Knapik, Gov. Charlie Baker's Western Massachusetts office director, in celebrating Ziter's work. Each read a proclamation from their respective bodies — the city, the House of Representatives, and the governor's office — recognizing her work.
"There is something in the DNA of the people in this generation that is such a lesson for the millennial generation, the next generation, and the youngsters. We all work so hard to make sure they follow in your footsteps," Knapik said.
Ziter's role was one of managing the reception desk, maintaining the volunteer database, keeping track of all of the volunteer hours, and overseeing the dispatch center to ensure the calls are being answers — in the last year RSVP provided some 1,763 rides to citizens to such things as cancer treatments to social events, according to former board Chairwoman Carolyn Valli.
Ziter had volunteered in the city's 250th celebration, Arbor Day events, with Habitat, the American Cancer Society, and with the Berkshire United Way. Farley-Bouvier called her a "superstar" for her efforts over the last seven years.
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Beyond the transportation program for cancer patients and van transportation for medical and social events, RSVP works on neighborhood initiatives, environmental projects, run the Pittsfield Visitors Center, and works with Habitat for Humanity, among the array of volunteer opportunities.
"From the 271 RSVP volunteers, there were 27,430 hours of volunteer hours given to the city of Pittsfield," Farley-Bouvier said.
"What it shows is that when everybody does their small part, it turns into a big deal. When I see all of those little bits coming together to make sure a big impact, that fills me with such tremendous amount of hope in a world that is sometimes kind of crazy."
The honor was part of RSVP's annual volunteer recognition luncheon at the Pittsfield Country Club to celebrate the work all of the volunteers do in the city.
"I have come to believe even more strongly now than ever that Pittsfield is a truly special place. I look out in rooms like this all of the time and I see people who are committed to, are devoted to, and dedicated to this city is so many different ways," Tyer said.
That work, according to Knapik, is really what makes communities tick. While the state government has a role in a community, it is truly the people in the community who make the difference and define a community, he said.
"I can't image a community or a region that would be as powerful and strong if not for the people who are represented in this room today," Knapik said.
Tags: awards, recognition event, RSVP, volunteers,
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