11 earn presidential service award for volunteer work
Eleven local volunteers were honored Friday, at Monroe County Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s (RSVP) 2023 Awards Dinner, held at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.
The volunteers received the Presidential Service Award for Lifetime Achievement for serving more than 4,000 lifetime hours of service.
Nine other volunteers and a nonprofit organization also were honored.
Recipients were:
Clara Allen has been a volunteer since 2016 and has 4,365 hours. The award was given posthumously to members of Allen’s family. She died in November 2021. For years, Allen was as a cook for the Oaks of Righteousness soup kitchen, where she kept the pantry organized in preparation for distribution days.
“Clara not only shared her cooking skills, she shared her warmth, welcoming all who come to eat at Oaks,” Beth Berlin, Monroe County RSVP program director, said.
Paula Baker has volunteered since 2008 and has 4,840 service hours. Baker volunteers at the Damascus House and Elm House. Damascus House is a thrift store supporting the Philadelphia House, which houses men as they rejoin the community after fulfilling prison time. Baker serves as a floor manager. She also serves on the board of directors and organizes fundraisers for Elm House, a home for disabled adults.
Ron Bedra has been a volunteer since 2016 and has 4,567 service hours. Bedra’s primary focus is helping at local food pantries, including Oaks of Righteousness and GodWorks!. Once a month or more, Bedra leads other volunteers in providing hot meals to those in need.
Ray Dushane has volunteered since 2018 and has 4,362 service hours. In 2017, Dushane took over management, as a volunteer, of the St. Anne's Food Closet. In 2018, he became a volunteer with RSVP. Each week, he gathers healthy food to serve the 746 people supported by the St. Anne's Food Closet.
“Without Ray's dedication and leadership, the pantry could not function as efficiently as it currently does, nor would the beneficiaries of the pantry receive the wide range of product given to them every other week,” Berlin said.
Kevin Hemry has volunteered since 2014 and has 4,960 service hours. As soon as he retired, Hemry began working five to six days a week at the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging. He serves as a handyman and also helps the kitchen staff and volunteers to prepare and serve meals. Hemry recently joined the center’s board of directors as a volunteer.
Janet Johnson has volunteered since 2014 and has 4,900 service hours. Janet is a veteran who now serves the community by volunteering. "Janet is a utility player, helping out at many special events, but her primary focus is making baby hats for infants in lower economic communities and working at Detroit Airport's Freedom Center – a quiet space for active military members and veterans that are in transit,” Berlin said.
Sandy Libstorff has volunteered since 2016 and has 7,130 service hours. “As one of the right-hand volunteers to Pastor Heather Boone of Oaks of Righteousness, Sandy plays a critical role in the daily operation of this very important church in our community. Her biggest role is running the free health clinic at Oaks, using her nursing skills, even in retirement,” Berlin said.
Wanda Rice has volunteered since 2018 and has 4,500 service hours. “Wanda has carved a special place for volunteering through her work at the Oaks of Righteousness Church,” Berlin said. “Every spring, summer and fall, Wanda gathers used clothing and essential hygiene supplies and takes these items to the migrant workers working on Monroe County farms. She and some friends have created this niche on their own.”
Linda Salisbury has volunteered since 2018 and has 7,915 service hours. “Linda's passion is in the art of crafting, and Linda has put her skills to wonderful use. Daily, Linda spends time knitting hats and blankets for those in need, donating hours of her work to local shelters and hospitals,” Berlin said.
Ford Thompson has been a volunteer since 2013 and has 4,560 service hours. Ford volunteers for the Monroe County Opportunity Program's food pantry. “With patience and compassion, Ford assists those with food insecurity, helping them make strong food choices and advising them of other services that may help them,” Berlin said.
Nola Young has been a volunteer since 2019 and has 4,885 service hours. Young volunteers at Monroe County's Lord's Harvest Pantry. “Nola is so dedicated to serving those with food insecurities, that she has been hired part-time by MCOP. But when her paid shift is over, Nola keeps right on working, volunteering more hours than she works as a paid employee,” Berlin said.
The volunteer dinner was sponsored by La-Z-Boy. Centerpieces were donated by Floral Expressions.
Nine volunteers and a nonprofit also received RSVP awards:
Ross Otter was named Monroe County RSVP Volunteer of the Year.
Otter volunteers 40 to 50 hours a month.
“Ross is committed to helping underserved seniors in Monroe County gain access to needed services. As a Cancer Connection driver, Ross does more than ensure patients get to important doctor appointments, he makes sure every patient feels cared for and heard, helping patients get through their treatment,” Berlin said.
Otter also is a Volunteer Visitor for the probate court.
“Ross meets with wards of the court to investigate living conditions and services overseen by court-appointed guardians,” Berlin said. “Volunteer Visitors are important gatekeepers in ensuring guardianships are functioning as expected by the court.”
Otter also works with ProMedica Hospice, making support calls and respite visits for caregivers and patients, helping all parties feel supported, making sure no one feels alone during advanced stages of illness.
“Ross embodies the best of AmeriCorps Seniors and Monroe County RSVP, and we are proud to present him with this award,” Berlin said.
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Cancer Connection was named Monroe County RSVP Station of the Year.
Since 2003 volunteers with Cancer Connection have been giving needed support to cancer patients throughout the county. Cancer Connection offers free wigs, protein supplement drinks, resource connections and free rides to patients with no other transportation options to their doctor appointments.
]In 2022, Cancer Connection provided more than 1,000 rides to patients to their cancer-related appointments, 6,660 servings of nutritional drinks and hundreds of incontinence supplies.
“All of this support comes from an organization that is 100% volunteer-run,” Berlin said. “Monroe County cancer patients benefit greatly from this unique organization, and Monroe County RSVP is very proud to support Cancer Connection and the volunteers running this critical program.”
Other 2023 award winners were:
Carolyn Blicharz and Christine Gusumano: Supporting the Mission Award
Ellen Brockway: Staying Strong Award
Jackie Drouillard, Diane Frank and Joyce Rober: Healthy Futures – Access to Care Award
Jennifer Grams: Spreading the Joy Award
Linda Lamb: Sharing the Heart Award
RSVP of Monroe County has 338 volunteers in all. In April, RSVP held a recognition event to honor all volunteers. Attendees were given tickets to see the “Cinderella Ballet” at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 11 earn presidential service award for volunteer work
