Volunteers’ hours, service honored
Published 11:16 pm Monday, November 22, 2010
RSVP Dallas County Volunteer Coordinator Evelyn Cox presents YMCA Executive Director and guest speaker Yasmin McKinney with a gift Monday. McKinney stressed the importance of volunteers in the program to share their knowledge with young people in Dallas County. -- Rick Couch photo
For many Selma seniors, retirement does not translate to taking it easy.
Monday, volunteers for the Southwest Alabama Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, some who logged more than 800 volunteer hours this year, were recognized with an awards banquet where Doris Hamm was named Volunteer of the Year.
RSVP director Lynn Mayton said the number of senior volunteers in the program has overwhelmed her.
“We have 281 southwest Alabama volunteers and almost 90 in Dallas County,” she said. “We are so proud of all of them.”
The program’s guest speaker, YMCA director Yasmin McKinney, said the group’s efforts are needed to pass wisdom on to younger generations.
“There’s a long disconnect between children and the elderly,” she said. “Children aren’t listening and they don’t understand. It used to be exciting for me to sit on the front porch with my great-grandmother and the elders.”
It’s time, McKinney said, to work toward bridging the gap.
“We have good elders in this room and we’ve got to start bringing our children back to the elders,” McKinney said. “I see the struggles here in Selma. I see the children that are lost in this city. We are going to have to bring that disconnect together.”
A number of Dallas County and southwest Alabama volunteers were recognized for their efforts. Volunteers who reached gold-plus status are Joseph Bumbrey, Evelyn Cox, Andrew J. Gilford, Walter Hadley, Doris L. Hamm, Cynthia M. Kane, Ruth Lewis, Carmen G. Quilico, Robert Richardson, Ethel B. Roper, Betty Joy Scott, Marilyn Sebren and Shirley M. Turner. Award winners who reached gold status, which is 500 to 3,999 volunteer hours, are Shirley Eiland, Terry Hewitt, Mary W. Irby, Bertha Mitchell, Juliette O’Sheids, Chinneta Wilson and Paul Woodyard.
Silver status members are Henry Allen, Charlotte Beck, Emma P. Hewitt, Annie C. Williams, Margaret Williams and Regina Woodson.
Bronze members are Mary Alexander, Juliette Davenport, Gladys Golden, Willa Hardwick, Gracie Hollins, Ann C. King, Sheila Mitchell, Ann Robinson, Jesus Sanchez and Sarah Tolbert.
At the end of the program, Selma mayor George Evans expressed his gratitude to the group.
“I want to commend the job that all of you do in terms of volunteering,” Evans said. “We all appreciate what you do very much.”
