Elder Services honors volunteers during National Volunteer Week
On April 23, 2008, Elder Services of Berkshire County recognized and celebrated the efforts of over 400 Elder Services volunteers for their 30,000 hours of invaluable service. At the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Robert P. Dean, Executive Director of Elder Services, told the audience, “The theme of tonight’s event is A Volunteers Give the Greatest Gift@, and you really do.You give the gift of self and the gift of time to Berkshire seniors. Your gift lets these seniors know that they are not alone, and that they are not forgotten, and helps them hold on to something that is very important – that is priceless – to them: their independence. Thank you for giving of yourself and your time. We could not do all that we do and serve all who we serve without you.”
Senator Benjamin Downing took the podium to applaud the impressive work done by these caring and dedicated volunteers. He expressed that the spirit of giving is alive and well in Berkshire County.
Elder Services= volunteers are civic-minded and caring people who serve the senior population in many vital ways: Community Services volunteers provide transportation, shopping assistance and companionship; Money Management volunteers help people budget and pay their monthly bills; Nutrition volunteers help prepare, deliver and serve a thousand meals each weekday throughout Berkshire County; Ombudsmen volunteers visit the county=s nursing homes as advocates for residents= rights; SHINE Counselors assist Medicare-eligible seniors in navigating through the health insurance and information process, and the Berkshire Senior TV volunteers assist in the monthly production of timely and informative monthly TV shows. Elder Services also acknowledged the many contributions of volunteers associated with RSVP B the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Berkshire County ARC; and BAROCO.
The spirit of giving was further demonstrated by the those who provided entertainment and decor items for the event, including WW II Marine Veteran, Bill Kudlate, who sang the National Anthem; Richard Evans on piano and Roger Suters on bass, who entertained during the cocktail hour; and the Eagles Stage Band, who provided their big band sound for listening and dancing. Dinner tables were decorated with centerpieces donated by local florists Bella Flora at Guido=s; Central Market Florist at Price Chopper, Pittsfield; Elm Street Florist, Pittsfield; Stop & Shop Florists, North Adams and Pittsfield; and Viale=s Florist, Pittsfield.
Anyone interested in volunteering for Elder Services should contact Angela Fields, Volunteer Services Manager, at 499-0524.
