John Riccio has a very big heart and acts on what his heart feels – dependably, with excellence, and without fanfare. He is truly a bright “Point of Light.”
Before enrolling in AmeriCorps Senior RSVP program, John was a school administrator who was site coordinator for a large group of RSVP volunteer tutors, all of whom loved serving at his school because of the support that John provided to each one.
In 2013, John retired from the Worcester Public School system, enrolled in RSVP, and has actively served as a RSVP school volunteer as well as in several other capacities for RSVP.
John is the Lead Volunteer reader for Story Time for Head Start where he serves up to 20 students at a time and is dedicated to serving those young children who don’t have much and in helping them achieve. He recruits retired teachers to assist, selects the reading material and coordinates other volunteers. All of this he does in the memory of his friend and RSVP volunteer who, prior to his death, had been the head of this program.
John is also dedicated to serving those who cannot see, serving as an on-air reader and off-air performer in annual theater for Audio Journal – radio for the blind. And, in Operation Gratitude, he writes letters to veterans and active duty military personnel.
Every November and December, John tours Worcester Schools as Polar Express - bringing this holiday favorite to life for first grade students. He is a one person special.
And, in RSVP, he previously volunteered at the Eco Tarium, a science and nature museum, and with Meals on Wheels.
As a volunteer, John doesn’t stop with his service to RSVP. His non-RSVP volunteer activities include serving at the Worcester Historical Museum as a docent for Worcester Public Schools 6th-gade students.
In 2019, John was “Volunteer of the Year” for Hanover Theater – for this gem of professional live theater in Central Massachusetts.