RSVP of North Central Iowa is adding a new volunteer opportunity for area seniors through a joint project with IRIS, the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind and Print Handicapped.

IRIS, a free service that airs news and information 24 hours a day every day to thousands of listeners statewide, helps the blind and visually impaired stay informed and connected to their communities.

RSVP is now looking for volunteers to read the Globe Gazette on radio station KCMR in Mason City as part of the IRIS program.

“Today, there are approximately 69,000 Iowans living with a visual impairment,” says Nancy Rockman, IRIS reading coordinator for Mason City. “As our population ages, that number will grow. IRIS exists to bring information to Iowans who cannot read because of visual or physical impairment or learning difficulties.”

Each day, volunteers at sites across the state read local newspaper on the radio. Two volunteers are scheduled from 8 to 9 a.m. every day. Volunteers can sign up to read as often as they like: from once or twice a week to once or twice a month. The volunteers decide which local articles to read and take turns reading from the newspaper.

Anyone interested in becoming an RSVP/IRIS radio reader should call the RSVP office at (641) 422-4256, (888) 466-4222 ext. 4256, or email rsvp@niacc.edu
For more information on RSVP of North Central Iowa, visit www.niacc.edu/rsvp/ or contact 1-888-466-4222 ext. 4256, (641) 422-4256 or rsvp@niacc.edu 

RSVP of North Central Iowa serves the counties of Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago and Worth responding to priority community needs by providing meaningful, purposeful volunteer opportunities for people ages 55 and over.

RSVP is sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College and is partly funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, State of Iowa, United Way of North Central Iowa and local county governments.

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