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honors 270 volunteers during national volunteer week
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Young at heart and enthusiastic
Elder Services honors 270 volunteers during national volunteer week
On April 14 at the annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 270 volunteers were honored for their invaluable work. Catherine May, Executive Director of Elder Services, told the audience, "Without you, we could not reach the more than 3,000 elders we serve annually. You give the greatest gift of all - you give of yourselves to help others. We at Elder Services are honored to work with you."
Four years ago Elder Services established the Tom Kelly Excellence in Volunteering Award in memory of Tom Kelly, to honor his outstanding volunteer services. This year, 35 volunteers were recognized through nominations by the elders they served based on outstanding qualities of flexibility, willingness, commitment, love of helping, reliability and inspiration.
Along with presentations to finalists Francesca Byrne, Rita Clifford, and Helen Vanesse, Edna Sunskis was announced as the recipient of the 2002 Tom Kelly award. Sunskis has been volunteering for more than 22 years helping others by providing transportation, shopping, and companionship, giving more than 10,000 hours of her time and caring.
Through Elder Services, volunteers serve as: Ombudsman volunteers who go to all the nursing homes in Berkshire County as advocates for patients’ rights; SHINE counselors who provide objective information and advice regarding health insurance information; Money Management volunteers who help elders experiencing difficulty with their financial matters; Nutrition volunteers who help prepare, deliver and serve one thousand meals each weekday to elders across the county, and as Community Services volunteers who provide shopping assistance, transportation and companionship.
The spirit of giving was enhanced by including WW II Marine veteran Bill Kudlate, who sang the National Anthem, Vivian Rodowicz with lively piano renditions, Jon Suters with guitar virtuosity during dinner, and concluding with the spirited performance of the Page Four Barbershop Quartet: Maurice Braziek, Joe Dalo, Jeff Mann, and Tom Ryan.