Coshocton Senior Center volunteers log more than 2,800 hours
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton Senior Center celebrated its 31 volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week on Wednesday, April 18 with a special recognition ceremony and luncheon. The 31 volunteers gave 2,848 hours combined of volunteer time in 2017.
Christy Neighbor, director of the senior center, gave a brief presentation about the valuable commodity volunteers give every day: their time.
“As a volunteer, you give your time,” she said. “Time is our most precious resource. You chose to donate the most precious commodity in the universe. Today, we take a little time out to recognize the amazing time in you give.”
All volunteers who were able to attend were treated to a meal of taco salad and a special lemon dessert. They also received free sweatshirts featuring the Coshocton Senior Center logo.
Jerry Hebron has been a volunteer at the senior center for five years. He volunteers three days a week, seven hours a day as a custodian.
“I like the people,” he said. “It gives you something to do and it’s a lot of fun.”
Mary Hunt has been with the organization for about five and a half years. She works in the travel office and helps plan affordable trips for seniors.
“I enjoy working with the people and setting up trips and seeing the enthusiasm in people,” she said. “I enjoy seeing people who enjoy getting to go on those trips. It’s really rewarding.”
Polly Moyer has also been volunteering at the senior center for five years. For the past three years, she has also worked in the travel office.
“I enjoy our big trip,” she said. “We do a big trip once a year and we just have a good time. I was looking for something to do after my husband passed away and Mary (Hunt) talked me into it.”
Laura McCloy, office technician at the senior center, said that volunteers are invaluable to help support the many programs offered at the senior center.
“We have so many programs that we wouldn’t be able to do if we didn’t have volunteers,” she said.
The center has a produce day which gives about 150 people fresh produce each month.
“Without volunteers, that’s 150 households that would go without that food,” she said.
The senior center also offers a commodity box program that volunteers help to deliver.
“We have 291 commodity boxes every month that hold 30 to 35 pounds of food,” she said. “These programs are so hard to support without a good volunteer base.”
Not only do volunteers benefit the community, but volunteering is good for the volunteer as well.
“It’s really good for some of our seniors to have the opportunity to give back,” said McCloy. “They’re still contributing to the community and they have a real sense of accomplishment.”
Volunteers recognized were Sarah Brady, Diana Caton, Karen Chaney, Joy Deluca, Penny Egler, Karen Emerson, Linda Fletcher, Jill Grace, Marjorie Groff, Mamie Guinther, Judy Harris, Jerry Hebron, Laura Hoop, Vonnie Hubble, Mary Hunt, Diane Hutchison, Bill Jones, Ruth McCoy, Linda Miller, Megan Miller, Polly Moyer, Preston Palmer, Joyce Sees, Harold Snellenberger, Ed Stoecker, Ann Taylor, Kathy Tittle, Jerry Tittle, Sophie Walters, Connie Wiggins, and Sean Williams.
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