Local Residents Honored for Volunteer Work

With a “Wizard of Oz” theme and a slogan of “We Do Believe in Volunteers,” the DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) recently hosted its 11^th annual Volunteer Celebration at the Diplomat West in Elmhurst for nearly 300 guests.

Eighteen individuals received Ambassador Club recognition for volunteering 250 or more hours in the past 12 months. Awards were also presented for a Volunteer of the Year from each of DSCC’s 12 nutrition sites, and within the categories of Well Being & Safety and Chore Days. DSCC annually honors the many volunteers that make possible its Meals on Wheels program in DuPage County and other services helping senior citizens in our community.

Last year, DSCC volunteers contributed more than 40,000 hours in support of the agency’s mission.

DSCC volunteers are the people who help prepare, package and deliver meals each day to frail and homebound senior citizens throughout the county and provide Well Being Checks. They are also the people who help serve older adults at community dining centers which provide a nutritious meal and a supporting environment for the elderly to socialize. In addition, DSCC volunteers participate in Chore Days six weekends a year, helping elderly residents with yard cleanups and seasonal outdoor chores.

Some of the volunteers who received awards at the 2011 Volunteer Celebration and their home towns are:

Ambassador Club Awards (250+ Volunteer Hours)

• Loretta Peteck – Glen Ellyn
• Ann Herlehy – Downers Grove
• Peggy Austin – Elmhurst
• Ray Graham Association of Lisle

Nutrition Site Volunteers of the Year Awards

• Emily Szatek – Downers Grove
• Thelma Sayers – resides in Glen Ellyn and volunteers at DSCC’s Glendale Heights site
• Laura Porro – Lisle
• Lata Choksi – resides in Wheaton and volunteers at one of DSCC’s Naperville sites
• Michael Kelling – resides in Burr Ridge and volunteers at DSCC’s Westmont site
• Bev Domonkos – resides in Winfield and volunteers at DSCC’s Wheaton site
• Gina Daniels – Wheaton

Well Being and Safety Volunteer of the Year Award

• Delores Kumnick – Elmhurst

To volunteer, call Cathy Jordan, DSCC volunteer coordinator, at (630)620-0804. For more information, visit dupageseniorcouncil.org.

DSCC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), volunteer driven organization, devoted to enriching senior life. Since 1975, DSCC has been providing a variety of programs and services to help seniors remain living in their homes with safety and dignity.