Seven volunteers honored at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging
Lynne Johnson received the Volunteer of the Year Award during the recent Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.
“Johnson was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedication and service provided in 2021,” the center said. “This award is given for exemplary service and support to the older adults of Monroe County. This award spotlights someone who was an exceptional volunteer for that year.”
Johnson volunteered more than 250 hours to the center last year.
"In 2021, Lynne donated over 272 hours of service to the Monroe Center, although we're pretty sure she didn’t turn in all of her hours," Sandie Pierce, Monroe Center for Healthy Aging director, said.
Johnson serves customers in the dining room, helps with all aspects of the center's rummage sales and assists with special events. She's been a familiar face at the center for years.
"Before volunteering, Lynne regularly brought her mother in to eat, to exercise and to enjoy the special events, especially Halloween and the dances," Pierce said. "Her servant’s heart showed up through the way she cared for her mother."
Johnson has been a member of the Monroe Center since 2015 and lives in Monroe with her partner, Matt Amico.
Several other center volunteers also were honored. Many of the awards are named after Monroe Center supporters.
Susan Fahey received the Pamela LaPan Humanitarian Award. This award recognizes exceptional supportive services to those in need. It was named in honor of Pam LaPan, who served seniors for more than 39 years.
Jim Huffman received the Sandie Pierce Above and Beyond Award. This award recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond in service to others. It is named after Pierce.
Kevin Hemry received Rohen/Simonton Leadership Award. This award is given for contributions and leadership to the older adults of Monroe County. “The award was established to recognize people who have demonstrated leadership in our community through unselfish and tireless efforts, in order to provide comfort and care so that others might benefit,” the center said. This award was named for two previous center directors, Nick Rohen and Aaron P. Simonton.
Linda Micheles and Mary Kenney received the Earl and Hazel Barron Service Award. This award recognizes couples who dedicated themselves to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and others in the Monroe community. The award is named for Earl and Hazel Barron, who served in several organizations and were on the advisory board that planned and designed Mable Kehres.
Mary Goode received the Rose Post Sunshine Award. This award recognizes kindness and concern. It was named for Rose Post, who served the older adult community of Monroe for 28 year.
“In total in 2021, over 80 volunteers provided 8,904 hours of service, which has a value of over $178,000,” the center said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Seven volunteers honored at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging
