2010 Senior Volunteer Awards

Celebrating senior volunteers who provided services to the community.

Six Senior Volunteer Awards winners were announced at the third annual award ceremony at the Kensington in Walnut Creek.  The event was reported by Danville Express and Contra Costa Time.

 

View additional photos on Flickr. Read the 2010 Senior Volunteer Award Program which includes a list of nominees.

Biographies of the Winners

Garry Allison

Garry has been a volunteer van driver at the Alcosta Senior Center since 2002, logging over 3200 hours to ensure that seniors are able to secure rides on a daily basis to and from the Senior Center.  Garry initiated and is the key driver for a “shopping shuttle” for San Ramon seniors that transport seniors from their homes to local grocery and drug stores once a week.  Garry is currently the lead driver for the San Ramon Senior Express Van program and is the Senior Center’s Representative to the monthly county Transportation Forums.

Tom Berry

Tom has volunteered for the Antioch Senior Center for the past 11 years.  Tom’s day begins at 4am, as he starts his rounds to local supermarkets, bakeries, and other local merchants who donate to the Senior Center.  Tom picks up bread, pastries, produce, and other needed items to supplement the seniors’ needs, and he does this task 7 days a week, starting at 4am. Without Tom’s volunteer services, many seniors would have a difficult time making ends meet.  In some cases, they would have to choose between medication or food.  

Ann Dzuna  

For the past 20 years, Ann has been involved with the Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County.  Ann is the co-chair of the Health Work Group of Contra Costa County, designing and participating in stroke information programs for CCTV and bringing current health issues to the attention of the community. Among other things, Ann volunteers at the Rheem Valley Convalescent Hospital in Moraga, presenting an hour program on current events and trivia to keep the minds of the residents alert and active, and Ann is the president of WomenSing, a musical community group that performs concerts each year to benefit various organizations. 

Ann Hirsch

Ann has been a volunteer at Manor Care for the past 13 years.  She arranges therapy dogs to visit the residents to brighten their spirits; she brings in children’s group to visit with the seniors; she holds cooking classes for the residents; and she has, for the past 12 years, arranged an annual Veteran’s Day Salute to recognize the military service of the residents.  Ann is also the President of the non-profit group, Friends of Meals on Wheels, helping provide funding for the meals served by the Meals on Wheels organization. 

Mary Lou Laubscher

Mary Lou co-founded Save Mount Diablo, Mt. Diablo Habitat for Humanity and Shelter, the County’s largest non-profit that provides homeless services.  Mary Lou continues to work on projects to improve the Monument Community of Concord.  She organizes seniors into a program to read to immigrant children, she works on transportation issues to make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists to get around safely, and she develops community gardens to make the community a healthier and more connected place.   

Carolyn Schick 

Carolyn has been volunteering at Caring Hands Caregivers Program for the past eleven years, volunteering over 2300 hours assisting seniors and providing program support in Contra Costa County.  Carolyn also hosts fundraisers and is actively involved with Philanthropic Educational Organization, a non-profit organization advancing women through providing better access to higher education.  For the past three years, Carolyn has also served as the Financial Manager at Hope Lutheran Church in Rossmoor.


July 15, 2010

2010 Senior Volunteer Award Accepting Nominations