Berkshire Senior Online

Elder Services of Berkshire County hosted a dinner dance at the Crowne Plaza on April 24 to honor and thank the over 400 volunteers who provide services to Berkshire County elders, helping them to remain independent and in their own homes. In 2000, 476 volunteers provided 46,432 hours of service, serving an average of 3412 elders each month.

Volunteers from Elder Services assist elders by helping with grocery shopping, and by providing transportation and companionship. They help elders maintain their finances and balance their checkbooks. They counsel elders facing health insurance decisions. Volunteers visit elders in local nursing and rest homes to ensure that their rights are being upheld. Volunteers help serve and deliver the lunches both in local Senior and Community Centers and in the Meals on Wheels programs. Volunteers assist with special mailings and projects in the Elder Services’ office in Pittsfield.

Terrence M. Hanlon, President of the Board of Directors, assisted by the late Tom

Kelly’s daughter, Peggy Irving, presented the Tom Kelly Excellence in Volunteering

Finalists with their awards. The following volunteers were nominated for this award by the elders they serve: Frances and Nello Antonazzi, Patricia Astore, Jane and Jim Betti, Betty Carton, Michael Ciborsky, Mary Ann Coakley, Beverly Davis, Delores Faivre, Joseph Farrell, Doris Fortin, Norma Fox, Chet Gallup, William Godfrey, Peggy George, Louis Graham, Janet Gursky, Robert Hamilton, Evanna Kennedy, Elva LeBonte, Monica Mandell, Eugene McCarran, Lorraine Morissette, Florence Nagy, Elizabeth Navin, Diane Perrault, Bernice Polucci, Frances Premerlani, Gerald Scott, Mary Simeone, John Sumaj, Joseph Tirrell, Angela Tsang, Helen Vanasse, Josephine Vincent, Margaret Walker, Elizabeth Williams and Jane Woods.

The six finalists were Jane and Jim Betti of North Adams, Robert V. Hamilton of Adams, Evanna Kennedy of East Nassau, NY, and Jane Wood and Josephine Vincent of Pittsfield.

Jane and Jim Betti provide transportation, grocery shopping assistance, and help pack Meals on Wheels. They were cited for their sense of humor, their kindness and their patience.

Robert V. Hamilton of Adams who facilitates the Caregivers’ Support Group, was

nominated for his kindness, thoughtfulness and concern, his willingness to listen and his knowledge.

Evanna Kennedy, who works full time for Berkshire Life and still finds time to volunteer

as a grocery shopping assistant was recognized for her extraordinary commitment, her

cheerfulness and her love of helping others.

Jane Wood has volunteered for many years as a special projects assistant in the Elder Services’ office. She was recognized for her dedication to excellence, her reliability and her cheerfulness and high energy.

The winner of the Award is Josephine Vincent who provides transportation assistance to elders. She was recognized for her willingness to help, her flexibility, her caring and her cheerfulness.

Music for dancing was provided by the George Morrell All Star Band who, as a tribute to the volunteers, volunteered their services. Flowers for the nominees were donated by Jaeschke’s Fruit and Flowers, Pittsfield; Mt. Greylock Greenhouses, Adams; Mt. Williams Greenhouses, North Adams; Viale Florist Co., Pittsfield; and Dr. Leahey’s Garden, Pittsfield.