Center for Volunteer Caregiving Volunteer Awards

2024 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.

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.

This year, we recognized our 2024 recipient and gave belated recognition to our 2020 recipient.

2024 Award Presented to Patti Ensor by Board Member Chris Bjornstad

During her more than six years of service, Patti Ensor has provided transportation, in-home assistance, and heartfelt companionship to countless care receivers, always with laughter and kindness. Patti’s deep empathy and positive attitude exemplified the very best of volunteerism and reflected the true heart of The Center’s mission.

Through her many roles as a volunteer, event co-chair, and ultimately Board Chair, Sharon Nell guided The Center through a critical transition period with compassion and strength. Her dedication, insight, and leadership left a lasting mark on the organization and ensured its continued ability to serve the community with excellence.

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.

In the first year of the Doug Richmond Award, The Center recognized two outstanding volunteers – Scott Crawford and Jackie Kindred. For fiscal year 2024, Scott reported 289.5 volunteer hours and Jackie reported 247.5 volunteer hours.

*Scott Crawford and Board Chair 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 honors volunteers in the Transportation Program who go the extra mile (literally) to ensure older adults can access healthcare and basic needs, such as food. In fiscal year 2024, Lavanya Shanthi reported 142 hours for 56 roundtrip rides and Yolanda Green reported 161 hours for 90 roundtrip rides.

*Lavanya Shanthi with Board Member Rick Messemer*

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.

*Paul Jacokes with Board Member David Goldstein*

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.

*Carla Crawford with Board Member David Goldstein*

Not Pictured: Joni Fauth – Honorable Mention

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.

*Jay Tilley with Board Member Sanjay Das*

*Honorable Mention Sharon Fadelici with Board Member Sanjay Das*

Not Pictured: Charlene Lawhun

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, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

*Brenda Brown with Board Member Rick Messemer*

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.