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Planting the Seeds of Kindness…Thanks to the Volunteer
Elder Services Honors Six Outstanding Volunteers Of The Year
Over the past year, more than 450 individuals have volunteered to serve Berkshire County elders through Elder Services. In honor of National Volunteer Week, on Wed., April 20, over 250 individuals gathered in the Crowne Plaza's grand ballroom to be recognized and to celebrate their efforts in helping Berkshire elders live their lives with dignity and independence.
The special theme of this dinner observed that volunteers are greatly appreciated for “Planting the Seeds of Kindness” wherever they travel. Six individuals were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts in each of five program areas: Community Services, Money Management, Nutrition, Ombudsman, SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders, and one special award honoring Elder Services most “senior” volunteer. The awards were presented in honor of Tom Kelly, a long- time Community Service volunteer, who in his acts and deeds exemplified the true spirit of volunteering. — By Roger Suters
Emma Miller – Most Senior Volunteer of the Year
Emma Miller volunteers each Wednesday at the Cheshire Senior Center, traveling to Cheshire from Savoy in a Council on Aging van. For the past 10 years, she has volunteered at the meal site, where she passes out cartons of milk. Remarkably, Ms. Miller is one hundred years old. Born in 1904, she lived without electricity or indoor plumbing until she was 22 years old. In addition to her weekly volunteering, Ms. Miller walks two miles a day, bakes, visits with friends, and goes shopping. She also avidly reads romance novels, demonstrating in yet another way that she is 100 years young.
Delores Faivre - Nutrition Volunteer of the Year
Delores Faivre is a very energetic person who has been volunteering at the Stockbridge Grange five days a week for the past 11 years. She assists with getting the meals ready for the Meals on Wheels drivers, a task that contributes significantly to the delivery of 130 hot, nutritious mid-day meals to homebound elders throughout the Southern Berkshires. On occasion, Delores delivers meals as a substitute driver and handles packing site responsibilities when the coordinator is out. Even with these many responsibilities, she always has time for a smile and to make everyone feel welcome. Delores is a very giving person, and everyone enjoys working with her.
Joan Ury - SHINE Volunteer of the Year
Joan Ury has served as a SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) volunteer counselor since arriving in the Berkshires four years ago. In Joan’s quiet and methodical way, she established herself as the “go to” person in and around Great Barrington when it comes to health insurance and benefit issues. Whether speaking to noontime audiences at the senior center, conducting “one-on-one” counseling sessions there, or visiting at the homes of those who are unable to travel, her approach is to simply point out – objectively - what’s available to the individual. If necessary, she will help the person navigate through the necessary processes. In all cases, Joan receives positive feedback that she has “helped a lot” to improve the quality of life for Southern Berkshire elders.
Margaret Walker – Community Services Volunteer of the Year
Margaret Walker began her volunteer work at Elder Services in 1994. Ever since, clients in the Pittsfield area have come to depend on her to get them to doctor’s appointments on time, go grocery shopping for them and to run their errands. At one point Margaret was helping five clients per month. She is dependable and trustworthy, an all around good friend. She enjoys staying active. Margaret is very compassionate. One client indicated she was having trouble taking out the garbage; Margaret let her know that she would be there weekly to make sure the trash was taken out. A resolute volunteer, Margaret has been an outstanding asset to the Community Services team.
Margaret Rancatti – Money Management Volunteer of the Year
Margaret Rancatti has served North County clients as a Money Management volunteer for the past five years contributing in all three capacities of the program – Bill Payer, Representative Payee, and Monitor. Margaret is greatly admired by her colleagues for her knowledge, experience, flexibility, and willingness to help out. In addition, she often assists others in the community in important ways such as providing transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and going grocery shopping. When she is not busy helping others Margaret likes to sew and read.
Mary Jane Methe – Ombudsman Volunteer of the Year
Mary Jane Methe has served as a Long Term Care Ombudsman for the past five years, making weekly visits to her assigned rest home to spend quality time with each of the 20 residents. Over this time, several residents have transferred to nursing homes. Mary Jane has gone out of her way to continue her visits to comfort those who are faced with adjustments to a new facility, new staff, and new roommates. This has been important to those who find such a move to be intimidating, especially those who have no family to visit them. Mary Jane is always on time - arriving with a smile and making a difference in the lives of the elders she serves.