Berkshire Senior Online

By Marcia Powdermaker, Money Management Coordinator

Edna Sunskis has been nominated for the Elder Services Tom Kelly Excellence in Volunteering Award. She has maintained a commitment to volunteering for 22 years, and her nominator calls her "an inspiration to others", a "ray of sunshine", and a "generous and genuine person".

MP: Edna, can you tell me what type of volunteering you do?

ES: I do all kinds of things from shopping, driving people to doctor’s appointments, visiting, "you name it, I have done it".

When I visit with people we talk, play cards or bingo, and sometimes go out to lunch. We have recently begun having house parties.

When I go to an elder’s house, family members will join in; and we’ll have a light lunch, and visit with each other. When I take people out to shop, do an errand, or go to an appointment, I don’t mind waiting for them. It helps out both of us; it gets us out of the house and doing things.

MP: Can you tell us a little about your history, and how you became interested in volunteering?

ES: I was born in Cornwall, Vermont in 1917. When my father died, my sister and I moved to Burlington, Vermont to find employment, which we did, working as waitresses. Once I married, we lived in a variety of places including Eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Kentucky. My husband and I had three children, and during those years I spent my time raising the children. When I moved from Kentucky to Marlboro, Massachusetts, I lived in an apartment and needed to be able to get out and occupy myself. I read a newspaper advertisement looking for volunteers to work with elders. I was interested, and began my work with Bay Path Elder Services.

MP: Is this the first time that you have received an award?

ES: A few years ago I was nominated for the same award from Elder Services, and when I was in Framingham, I received two or three awards and plaques, for service to the elderly. Also, the North Adams Transcript printed an article when I was recognized for my service by the Chamber of Commerce.

MP: You have volunteered for many years, do you keep track of who you have met and what you have accomplished?

ES: Yes, I keep a book and I have helped over 2,000 people.

MP: What is it that you enjoy when visiting and assisting elders?

ES: Some people are so nice, I feel like they are a members of my family. Everyone is so different, and I have enjoyed meeting a variety of people. They all have had different problems during their lives and have had different ways of solving things. Listening to the people I help has been an education in itself.

MP: What personal rewards do you receive from volunteering?

ES: It is like being doctor or a schoolteacher, it is wonderful to have people pleased with your work. People call and appreciate what you have done, it makes one feel good.

MP: You were called a very cheerful person by your nominator, how do you remain so cheerful?

ES: Sometimes I’m not so cheerful, but you can’t go into an elderly person’s house with a long face.

You have to leave your problems outside.