On September 7th, 2023 Mercy Care for the Adirondacks held a Friendship Volunteer Picnic and Awards Recognition Ceremony at Camp Guggenheim in Saranac Lake. Tyler Barton, Programs Manager at the Adirondack Center for Writing in Saranac Lake led a creative writing workshop and discussed upcoming workshop opportunities.
The following awards were presented to Mercy Care Volunteers:
Over 100 Hours
Mercy Care remains deeply grateful to all of our volunteers, with some contributing over 100 hours this past year to enhance the lives of their elder friends and caregivers. To you, we say a special thank you for your commitment and dedication. Volunteers with over 100 hours are:
Kathy Daggett, Darlene Donnelly, Alanna Fox, Margie Gallagher, Paul Guerette, Martha Holmes, Catherine Johnston, Tracey Klossner, Colette Lettero, and Kathy Strack
5 Year Pin
Several volunteers have been part of Mercy Care for five years. We would like to take the time to thank these individuals for their kindness and friendship to their elder friends by presenting each with a five-year service pin. These volunteers are:
Carolyn Comegys, Heidi Holderied, Kathy Daggett, Diane Bryjak, and Barb Dempsey
10 Year Pin
We want to acknowledge Jill Zagrobelny’s sustained gifts of love and care for her elder neighbors.
Jill Zagrobelny
15 Year Pin
It is our privilege for the first time to award 15-year pins. Mercy Care was established in 2007, and in October of that year, we trained and commissioned our first Friendship Volunteers. Three have continued to serve for the past 15 years. These volunteers are:
Pat Loud, Frank Lesinsky, Janice Connors, Greg Dennin, and Pearl McCahill
We offer our congratulations and deep gratitude for your extraordinary service.
Appreciation Award – Sheila Venezia
Since becoming a Friendship Volunteer in 2007, Shelia has assisted countless elders, 15 alone in the last year. Sheila exemplifies Catherine McAuley’s spirit as she reaches out to share her courage and love with those in need. Sheila, please accept this award as a token of our appreciation for your dedicated volunteer service to elders and to Mercy Care’s programs.
Novice Volunteer of the Year – Tom Connors
I am pleased to announce that Tom Connors is the recipient of this year’s Novice Volunteer Award. Since becoming a friendship volunteer in the fall of 2022, Tom has demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment, and caring companionship to his elder neighbors by saying “yes” to almost all of our many calls asking for his assistance to help his elder neighbors. Tom, please accept this award as a token of our gratitude for your exceptional volunteer service.
Caring Heart Award – Cindy and Dan Santerre
This year, this award goes to two Volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional caring as they reach out to elders in the community, Cindy and Dan Santerre. A Caring Heart takes time to listen, reaches out to help in times of need, and positively impacts the community. As Friendship Volunteers, Dan and Cindy exemplify what it means to care. Dan and Cindy, thank you for your caring volunteer service to elders in the tri-lakes, and please accept this award as a token of our appreciation.
World of Difference Award – Leo Demong
The World of Difference Award goes to Leo Demong for his compassionate, dependable, and responsive care to elders in our community. Leo has been a Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer since 2016 and has assisted countless elders in our tri-lakes communities. Leo, please accept this award as a thank you for your years of dedicated and outstanding service and commitment. You truly make a difference.
Volunteer of the Year – Paul Guerette Catherine McAuley Award
We now come to the Catherine McAuley Volunteer of the Year award. This goes to a Volunteer who has served for two or more years, has given outstanding service, and exemplifies the values of Mercy Care. Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831. She reached out with courage and love to the needy of her time, as we now strive to reach out to those in need in ours.
This year’s recipient exemplifies what Catherine McAuley taught us about mercy and compassion as he serves elders in our community. The Volunteer of the Year award goes to Paul Guerette. Thank you, Paul, for your generous spirit as you respond to the needs of elders in our community.
