Tri-City Consortium on Aging Honors Its Volunteers

The Tri-City Consortium of Aging paid tribute to the volunteers who enable the agency to provide its services.

"We really, more than ever, rely on volunteers to carry out our mission," Tri-City Director Stacey O'Brien said at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Tuesday at the Lyndhurst Community Center. She said that state budget cuts and the economy have presented additional challenges for Tri-City.

South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo – representing fellow mayors Scott Coleman of Highland Heights, Gregory Costabile of Mayfield Heights and Joseph Cicero of Lyndhurst, who arrived later – said volunteers are the greatest resource of Tri-City.

"We couldn't pay you minimum wage and support the program," she said.

In 2010, volunteers provided Tri-City with more than 8,500 recorded hours of service. Volunteer coordinator Corinne Dunn said that number probably exceeds 9,000 when unreported hours are added.

Special recognition was given to Outstanding Volunteers for 2010. They are:

Nutrition – Bob Dougherty, Doris Evans, Julie Grida, Irma Iorio, Theresa Ludwigsen and Arlene Mangina.

Office – Elizabeth DeFrancesco, Frances DiVincenzo, Mary Ellen Klein, Stella Marasco, Sue McGowen, Irma Ringer and Carolyn Sugiuchi.

Nutrition volunteers assist with meal preparation and service, while office volunteers answer phones and handle other secretarial tasks.

Also named Outstanding Volunteers were Stuart Schulhof, who serves as a consultant and assisted with the farmers market among other duties, and Marilyn Wehling, who worked as a tax adviser, helped with the farmers market and volunteered in other areas as well.

Recognized as Unsung Heroes were Dan Keenan, a tradesman who assisted with many repair jobs; Judy Dearden, who leads the paper recycling group; and Pastor David Thorne of Velocity Church, who brought groups of volunteers to assist senior citizens.

"They are very special people and they rarely say no," Dunn said of the Unsung Heroes.

Also receiving special recognition were Ursuline College and Notre Dame College for their efforts in providing volunteer assistance to Tri-City.