Page 26 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine

s I pen this tribute to my wonderful friend, Gloria has been employed by RSVP for 23 years. She is a
Gloria Goyne, we are still struggling through the little shy about sharing her age, but, interestingly, Gloria
Achanges wrought by the Pandemic of 2020. All began this position at about the same age that many
of us experience defining moments, many of which are people begin contemplating retirement, and that is likely
life-changing, and we will assuredly look back on 2020 the secret to her health, vitality, and productivity. She
as a year that changed our lives in one way or another. “loves to work” and has no intention of leaving RSVP
As “social distancing” and bad news in general from until “they chase me out!”
all sources became the norm, I chose to view each day
as one of new opportunity and growth. I have watched Gloria is a woman who collects friends. “I love
many who have personally flourished during the everybody, and I love life,” she says, which is part of the
pandemic, while others have spiraled into depression secret of RSVP’s success here in the Panhandle. Gloria
and hopelessness. Gloria is one who has flourished, and
she was kind enough to share some of her secrets and
wisdom with me.

Over the course of the last 18 months, while developing
and promoting “The NeighborHUB” website, I am
humbled when I think of the number of organizations
and individuals who have welcomed this program
and have included me in their efforts to reach out to
the Active Adults 50+ of Amarillo and their families.
One such organization is the Retired Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP) and their administrative assistant,
Gloria. While the RSVP program is a national program,
the “Texas Panhandle Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program volunteers utilize their life experience and
skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need.
Volunteering is intended to promote goodness or to
improve the quality of life for both the volunteer, as well
as for the person or community served. Volunteering
allows seniors the opportunity to use their talents and
experiences to enrich the lives of others in meaningful
ways.”

26 Amarillo Senior Link