Elder Services to honor volunteers
By Angela Fields
Elder Services will host its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner/Dance on April 28 at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. This event recognizes and celebrates the efforts of over 400 individuals, who collectively provide thousands of hours of volunteer service through Elder Services to Berkshire County seniors. A volunteer is someone who is aware of another’s needs and responds to them.
This year’s theme, “Volunteers Light the Way,” reflects the tremendous positive impact our volunteers have on the lives of seniors in our county. Elder Services’ Executive Director Robert P. Dean will honor and thank all volunteers for their efforts in helping Berkshire County’s seniors remain independent, living with dignity and enjoying the best possible quality of life. Every volunteer will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.
The celebration will begin with a cocktail hour featuring musical entertainment provided by Richard Evans (piano), Sam Rosen (guitar) and Roger Suters (bass). Following dinner, guests will enjoy listening and dancing to the music of the Eagles Stage Band.
Each month, Elder Services’ volunteers give their time and energy helping more than 2,000 Berkshire County seniors. There are several volunteer opportunities available through Elder Services. Community Service volunteers transport people to and from medical appointments, grocery shop and visit those who are homebound and lonely. Money Management volunteers help sort mail, balance checkbooks, pay monthly bills and budget expenses. Nutrition volunteers help prepare, package, deliver and serve over 1,000 meals each weekday throughout the county. Ombudsman volunteers visit nursing home residents and advocate for their rights. SHINE (Serving the Health information Needs of Elders) counselors provide Medicare eligible individuals unbiased, impartial information and assistance as they navigate through the health care system. The Berkshire Senior TV volunteer crew helps bring informative, elder related programs via public access television; and Clerical volunteers assist with mailings and office work.
Elder Services is extremely appreciative of the many hours of service volunteers devote to helping Berkshire County seniors. We are pleased to celebrate and recognize the contribution of each and every volunteer.
Angela Fields is the Elder Services’ Manager of Volunteer Services and Money Management *Editor’s Note: For information about volunteer opportunities at Elder Services, contact Volunteer Services at 1-800-544-5242 or 499-0524.
