Masonicare Health Center Thanks 170 Volunteers at Recognition Brunch

April 30, 2018 (Wallingford, CT)...In celebration of National Volunteer Services Week, and in keeping with an annual tradition, Masonicare Health Center of Wallingford honored 150 adult volunteers from in-house and the community at the 45th Annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch held on April 13^th at Ashlar Village, Masonicare's Continuing Care Retirement Community located on the Wallingford campus.          

Volunteers who contributed a minimum of 100 hours during the volunteer "year," which extended from March 2017 to February 2018, received a pin. Altogether, 354 volunteers (including internal, adult community, junior, and community service) contributed 38,115 hours this year.

Four volunteers were recognized for contributing the most volunteer hours in their category: community volunteers Richard Bartlett (1,068) and Jill Doody (986) of Wallingford, Leonard Nevins (1,368) and Jeannette Flavell (907) internal. Three volunteers who have contributed the most total hours over the years are Alcine Reed (13,212), George Smith (17,047) and Evelyn DellaRocco (17,898).

For the twenty-first year in a row, Masonicare Health Center awarded $500 scholarships to student volunteers who are pursuing careers in the healthcare field.  Each recipient volunteered a minimum of 100 hours at Masonicare Health Center. 

The students who will receive William Loefstedt scholarships are Vincent Salabarria, who will be graduating from Xavier High School and attending Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, to study psychology or psychiatry, and Madison Oquendo, graduating from Maloney High School, who will be entering a nursing program at Wagner College on Staten Island, New York. The Valerie W. Winchester scholarship has been awarded to Valerie Fekete, graduating from Lyman Hall High School, who will be entering the nursing program at Quinnipiac University.

Masonicare Health Center, which is open to all, offers a wide variety of opportunities for adults and teenagers to volunteer their time and energy to help provide the best possible care environment for patients and residents. Regardless of a person's age or occupation, a caring manner and a helping hand can make a difference in the life of an older adult. Volunteer opportunities are available in several areas, including acute care, skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation, and several specialty clinics and therapies.   

Masonicare Health Center is an affiliate of Wallingford-based Masonicare, Connecticut's leading not-for-profit provider of healthcare and retirement living for seniors.  To learn more about the volunteer program at Masonicare, call Carla Young of Volunteer Services, at 203-679-6253.