Volunteers honored by county’s Council on Aging

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Volunteers honored by county’s Council on Aging

Around Osceola

Thursday, 27 May 2010 00:00

More than 500 community volunteers and work station managers celebrated April as Volunteer Month by attending the Osceola County Council on Aging’s Volunteeer Center’s Annual Volunteer Recognition on April 23 at the Barney E. Veal Center in Kissimmee.
Volunteers were recognized for their years of service to the community and for the positive impact their time contributions have made on our quality of life.
“I applaud the volunteers and also recognize the Osceola Council on Aging for taking the initiative to not only create a volunteer program but a Volunteer Center. The Volunteer Center provides thousands of residents with the opportunity to participate in rewarding and much-needed volunteer services that truly make a difference in our community,” County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr., guest speaker at the event, said. “By placing volunteers with agencies or organizations, we have created a genuine gold mine of human resources.”
Eight residents or community groups received distinguished volunteer awards during the event, recognized for their outstanding services.
For the Best Volunteer Group Award, the Kissimmee Utility Authority meter readers were recognized. KUA allows them to take time from their work schedule to deliver Meals on Wheels on a daily basis. They were selected for going above and beyond in serving their community and for treating the elderly and frail clients with care and respect.
The Disney VoluntEars received the Best Family of Volunteers Award. The volunteers in this category were nominated for working together to establish a long-standing relationship with an organization. Disney VoluntEars have been providing fun entertainment to the council’s clients for more than 10 years.
Mike and Josephine Gentile received recognition for Volunteering in the Most Organizations. The two take their volunteering seriously, delivering for Meals on Wheels, Osceola Regional Medical Center and Give Kids the World.
Mary Castro accepted the Best Supporting Female Volunteer. In her capacity at the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce for the past two years, Castro provided outstanding support to the staff, adapting to whatever task was needed and provided chamber visitors information on the history of St. Cloud.
The Best Supporting Male Volunteer for 2010 is Fred Driskill, who has been a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Program for the past 12 years. He volunteers during the most challenging times — storms, floods, gas shortages and tough economic times, often delivering more than one meal route and usually the longest.
For the past 26 years, Judy Morris has been a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Program. For her dedication, Morris received the Best Female Volunteer for 2010. She volunteers more than once a week and is always willing to help whenever needed.
The Volunteer Leadership Award was presented to Kathryn “Katie” Dishroon. In a very short time, Katie has exhibited professionalism and extraordinary organizational skills at her volunteer work station. She has become indispensable by taking on a volunteer position of 40 hours a week after office budget cuts. She was instrumental in leading the Osceola County Emergency Management Office to be the first in the state to acquire protective masks and to oversee the distribution.
To round out the winners, Don Smith received honors with his Longtime Volunteer Award. Since moving to Osceola County 15 years ago, he made it his mission to bring together the cooperation and coordination of local, civic, military and nonprofit organizations.
“We are all so very proud of all our volunteers but especially the persons recognized today for their unselfish and dedicated efforts to make Osceola County a better community,” stated Beverly Hougland, CEO of the council.
The council's volunteer center currently manages and supports more than 1,600 volunteers serving in health care, libraries, government and nonprofit organizations throughout Osceola County.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the center can contact Connie Bellanceau, volunteer center director, by calling 407-933-9525.