Volunteers recognized for thousands of hours
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 20, 2004 1:57 PM
Fourteen volunteers in WAGES' Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs have been honored for thousands of hours of service over the years.
The programs' annual Christmas recognition luncheon was held Friday at O'Berry Center. June Monk, administrator of the two programs formed more than 30 years ago, said there are currently 111 Foster Grandparents and 85 Senior Companions serving around Wayne County.
"President Bush has asked us to do 4,000 of volunteer service during our lives," she said. She said many of the seniors working with WAGES have far exceeded that.
Dr. Jerry Lyall, director of O'Berry, said those in the program add something to help their fellow man.
"We do love you folks for what you do," he said "There's something you can do to enrich others' lives and you folks do that."
Dr. Craig McFadden, an educator who is chairman of the WAGES board, said the longer he is associated with the organization, the more inspired he is.
"It's people like you who really make a difference in Wayne County," he said. "I'm impressed with what you do and how long it lasts with people. The things you do now, people will remember the rest of their lives."
J.D. Evans, chairman of the county commissioners, said that serving on the WAGES board, he knows what the volunteers do for the good of the county.
"You all give a tremendous service, and we appreciate it very much," he said.
Ms. Monk presented the Presidents' Call to Service Award to nine Foster Grandparents and five Senior Companions. Each received a letter from President George Bush, a framed certificate, and a pin.
The Foster Grandparents' recipients were:
*Hezzie Lee Mitchell, serving at Edgewood Community Developmental School since 1981, with a total of 24,012 hours of service.
*Alma Williams, serving at O'Berry Center since 1983, with a total of 21,924 hours of service.
*Mary Overbee, serving for 21 years at Edgewood Community School and O'Berry Center, with 19,836 hours of service.
*Helen Dupuy, at Edgewood for 15 years with 19,836 hours of service.
*Ethelene Goudeau, 15 years at Edgewood School, with 13,572 hours of service.
*Queen Weldon, 15 years at RHA/Howell Child Care Center, with 15,660 hours of service.
*Lucy Cobbs, working with special needs children in in-home placements prior to Edgewood School, with 13,572 hours of service since 1991.
*Hattie Eason, serving in-home placements, special needs children and teenage mothers through the Health Department since 1991, with 13,572 hours of service.
*Rosalee Reddick, Edgewood School for 13 years with 13,572 hours of service.
Senior Companions recognized were:
*Nancy Fields, working with frail older adults at Cherry Hospital since 1985, with 19,836 hours of service.
*Annie Taylor, at Cherry Hospital since 1986, with 18,792 hours of service.
*Dorothy Goggins has accumulated 15,660 hours of service since she entered the program in 1989; she has worked with frail older adults at Home Health and Hospice and currently volunteers at Glencare in Mount Olive.
*Hazel Kennedy has worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Creative Choices Adult Day Care, and Services on Aging since 1991, with 13,572 hours of service.
*Willie King has worked with frail older adults at Cherry Hospital for 13 years, with 13,572 hours of service.
Mitchell and King were also recognized for being the oldest volunteers in each program. Mitchell is 89 years old, King is 91.