RSVP honors Earlene Osman

Each year, the local Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP, honors a "seasoned" volunteer from the area.

One volunteer from seven area counties served by the RSVP program is chosen as the "seasoned" volunteer of the year.

To be eligible for the award, the person must be at least 90 years old and working as an active volunteer.

Earlene Osman of Anna has been chosen as this year's "seasoned" volunteer.

Osman was honored at the recent 2009 RSVP volunteer recognition program.

She also was honored at a Shawnee Development Council Inc. Community Action Month annual awards recognition program.

Osman volunteers each week at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.

She said that activities which offer service to others always have been very important to her.

More than 12 years ago, her husband became a patient at the Illinois Veterans Home. "So, I was going there all the time," she said.

Osman said that when her husband passed away, "it seemed like I needed to keep going there and helping the residents."

She has been helping out for more than 10 years. "I still make several visits a week to help where I can," she said.

RSVP staff members noted that at "90 years young, Earlene serves as an inspiration to all of us."