Pennsylvania Department of Aging Hosts Inaugural Statewide Volunteer Conference

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging held its inaugural Statewide Volunteer Conference, which included workshops, informational sessions, discussion on the ways the department can help enhance volunteer engagement throughout the commonwealth, and an awards ceremony recognizing eight outstanding senior volunteers.

"We all know that volunteers help strengthen communities and neighborhoods throughout Pennsylvania," said Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne. "Volunteering also has important emotional and physical benefits, especially for those who volunteer in their retirement years, as research shows older volunteers have lower disability and higher levels of well-being compared to those who do not volunteer. Today, we gathered with older Pennsylvanians who are reimagining aging through volunteerism."  

The conference brought together volunteer coordinators and senior volunteers from the department's network of local Area Agencies on Aging, along with department staff who are responsible for delivering aging services to hundreds of thousands of older Pennsylvanians.

During the inaugural conference, eight volunteers were presented with the 2017 Volunteer Spotlight Award for their dedication, commitment, and service to their respective programs. Awardees included:

Evelyn Jointe  - Senior Companion Program, Philadelphia County 
Nora Goodwin - RSVP Young Adult Education Program, Monroe County 
Mary Griffin - York Area Agency on Aging, York County 
William Klinger -  APPRISE Program, Union/Snyder County 
Ronald Benecke - APPRISE Program, Adams County  
Larry Rodack - The Ombudsman Program, Indiana County 
Elsie Pataski - The Senior Center Program, Washington County 
Eddie Mae Preston - The HomePLUS Program, Erie County

"The women and men honored today are volunteers who selflessly share their gifts and talents with other seniors in need," said Secretary Osborne. "Each volunteer's story serves to inspire, encourage, energize, educate, and empower others to get up and take action that creates true change. Individually and collectively, our senior volunteers shine a dazzling light that brightens lives and improves communities every day." 

For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit www.aging.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Drew Wilburne 717-705-3702 

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging