MONROE, CT — The Monroe Senior Center held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 26, honoring and saying thank you to all those patrons who volunteer their time at the senior center. Among the many honorees were members of the knit and crochet group, people who set up, serve and clean up for functions and those who work at the front desk.
Cathy Lindstrom volunteers her time as the “computer tutor,” helping people with their laptops, tablets and cell phones.
“I hand out a sheet that explains icons and spend about an hour with the person,” said Lindstrom, “between me and Google we can figure it out. I love it, I really enjoy it and most people get something out of it.”
Cecile Lancia and Sharon Lockshier were honored as the 2020 and 2021 Volunteers of Year.
Through her work with TRIAD, a national community policing initiative focusing on safety needs and concerns of older adults, Cecile Lancia, the 2020 Volunteer of the Year, calls residents on a weekly basis, checking in on them and offering a friendly voice.
“I enjoy doing this because I feel like I am making a difference in people’s lives,” said Lancia.
Sharon Lockshier, the 2021 Volunteer of the Year, joined the senior center one day and immediately jumped into volunteering the very next day. Accruing 277.33 hours working the front desk, calling members who didn’t renew, making phone calls to update brochures and pamphlets in the Elderly Services files, and teaching people to knit and crochet. Lockshier said, “I like to be busy.”
Each honoree was presented with a certificate from Senior Center Director Kim Cassia, who also serves as the town’s director of Community and Social Services. “My volunteers are amazing, I don’t have to ask, they just do,” Cassia said. “They make my job easier. They help make the center run.”
Speaking to the volunteers, First Selectman Ken Kellogg said, “thank you from the bottom of my heart. You make the senior center vibrant. You are our every day heroes.”
