Center for Volunteer Caregiving Volunteer Awards

2025 Volunteer Awards

At The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Each act of kindness, from a ride to a medical appointment to a friendly visit, promotes dignity, inclusion, and connection. Our volunteer awards celebrate these dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to serve older adults and adults with disabilities in our community.

2025 Volunteer Award Recipients and CVC Board Members

John Meares, Sr. Award

Named for the founder of The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, the John Meares Sr. Award is the organization’s highest honor. It recognizes individuals or organizations that have shown extraordinary dedication, leadership, and service in advancing The Center’s mission. This award embodies the spirit of community, compassion, and commitment upon which The Center was built.

We were honored to recognize Searstone as the 2025 recipient of
the John Meares Sr. Award.

As a continuing care retirement community located in Cary, 5% of the net monthly fees from Searstone residents must benefit nonprofits involved with helping older adults, especially the poor and indigent in the Wake County area. The Center was one of three nonprofits to receive funding in the first year of Searstone’s community benefit program. Over the past 12 years, Searstone has donated to The Center a total of $409,432.05. This funding has been used by The Center to help it serve lower income older adults receiving support in the In-Home Connections and Transportation programs. Please join us in applauding Searstone for providing critical support to help The Center not only keep its doors open but continue to grow its programs.

Pictured: Joan DeBruin with Board Member Brandy Bonner-Prichard

Doug Richmond Award

Created in memory of longtime volunteer, board member, and advocate Doug Richmond, this award honors the volunteer who has contributed the most service hours during the fiscal year. It recognizes the extraordinary dedication, consistency, and generosity of time that reflect Doug’s enduring legacy of servant leadership and commitment to The Center’s mission.

We were honored to recognize Cynthia Bridges as the 2025 recipient of the Doug Richmond Award.

Cynthia has been a volunteer with The Center since August 2020 and is currently active in both our Caregiver Respite and In-Home Connections programs. In fiscal year 2025, she reported 484.75 hours of volunteer service. But this does not tell the full story of Cynthia’s commitment to The Center. During the COVID pandemic, The Center received one-time funding through the American Rescue Plan to help family caregivers recover from the pandemic isolation and shutdowns. This funding allowed The Center to hire a few part-time employees to provide respite services for family caregivers when we did not have a volunteer available. Cynthia was the first person who stepped up. Not only did she provide great service as a part-time employee until mid-September of 2024, she provided another 128 hours of service in FY 2025 in addition to her volunteer hours. Since August 2020, Cynthia has provided 2,660 hours of service to the clients of The Center, as both a volunteer and a part-time employee under the American Rescue Plan family caregiver program.

Pictured: Cynthia Bridges and Board Member Brandy Bonner-Prichard

Program Awards

Recognizing active volunteers who demonstrate consistency in their volunteer activity in a specific program, go above and beyond to provide a compassionate service to The Center’s care receiver clients, and regularly report their volunteer hours.

Transportation Program

Road Warrior Award

The Road Warrior Award celebrates Transportation Program volunteers who truly go the extra mile to ensure older adults can reach essential services and care. These dedicated volunteers consistently step up when help is needed most, providing safe, reliable rides to critical medical appointments and to the grocery store. Their commitment keeps our care receivers connected, supported, and able to maintain their independence.

We were honored to recognize John Sebastian and Kay Erickson as the 2025 recipients of the Road Warrior Award.

John Sebastian with Board Member Chris Bjornstad
Not Pictured: Sandra “Kay” Erickson

Respite Program

Respite Rockstar Award

The Respite Rock Star Award celebrates volunteers who give family caregivers the gift of respite. By spending quality time with their care recipients, these volunteers provide comfort, companionship, and peace of mind, allowing family caregivers to recharge while knowing their loved ones are safe.

We were honored to recognize Nancy Lenfestey as the 2025 recipient of the Respite Rockstar Award.

**Nancy Lenfestey facilitating activities with her respite group**

Visiting Program

Cheerful Companion Award

The Cheerful Companion Award recognizes volunteers who bring warmth, joy, and friendship through our In-Home Connections program. Whether through friendly visits or regular phone calls, these volunteers brighten the days of care receivers and help them feel valued, connected, and less alone.

We were honored to recognize Anne Arndt and Mary & Craig Townley as the 2025 recipients of the Cheerful Companion Award.

*Anne Arndt with Board Member Sanjay* Das

Visiting Plus Program

Helping Hand Award

The Helping Hand Award honors volunteers who provide additional assistance to help care receivers live safely and comfortably at home. From small household tasks like vacuuming and dusting to paperwork support and grocery shopping, these volunteers offer steady, compassionate help that makes daily life a little easier.

We were honored to recognize Angela White and Talin Chung as the 2025 recipients of the Helping Hand Award.

Angela White with Board Member David Goldstein

Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes a new volunteer who has made a remarkable impact within their first year of service. This award highlights individuals who quickly embraced The Center’s mission, demonstrating enthusiasm, reliability, and a passion for making a difference from the very start. This award recognized volunteers activated during the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

We were honored to recognize Claire Behringer, Ben Clark, and Bev Pajerski as the 2025 recipients of the Rookie of the Year Award.

*Claire Behringer with Board Member Annice Williams*

Big Hug Award

The Big Hug Award celebrates volunteers who have built lasting, meaningful relationships with the same care receivers over many years. These volunteers have shown exceptional loyalty, compassion, and devotion to their care receivers, offering a steady source of comfort and connection that feels like one long, warm embrace. This award is for active volunteers who have been serving the same care receiver for 5 or more years and reported at least 30 hours of service for the fiscal year.