| Newport family gets top honor
Twenty eight volunteers and three corporations earn kudos at the “Magic of Our Volunteers” Recognition Luncheon hosted by Council On Aging Orange County.
Contact: Dan Bent
(714) 479-0107, extension 223
E-mail: dbent@coaoc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA ANA – April 17, 2009 – With glitter and glamour galore, Cindy and Mike Stieger of Newport Beach gathered the greatest honor Thursday, April 16, as Volunteers of the Year at the “Magic of Our Volunteers” Recognition Luncheon hosted by Council on Aging–Orange County at Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel in Buena Park.
Headlining the program was comedian and magician Dana Daniels, whose 45-minute act, “The Funny Side of Magic,” entertained an audience of 200 in the grand ballroom, while Cheryl Meronk, Council on Aging–Orange County (COAOC) Chief Executive Officer, provided powerful and encouraging insight into today’s rapidly increasing over-60 population spurred by the baby boom generation.
Cindy and Mike Stieger were two of 28 volunteers recognized at the luncheon, which included attendees dressed up in theme costumes and confetti being tossed in the air from the podium as winners were announced.
“We are truly honored,” said Mike Stieger, also the President of the Board of Directors for COAOC.
Three corporations were presented the “Angel with a Heart” Award for their outstanding contributions to COAOC’s SmileMaker Holiday Project: Yamaha, Modern Nail of Orange, and the Good Guys of Pacific Life.
“The needs of the Council on Aging are expanding because of the baby boomer generation growing older and we are thrilled to honor such wonderful volunteers,” said Meronk, whose nonprofit organization hosted a chicken buffet luncheon.
Other honorees included those from COAOC’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP): Ed Klopfenstein, HICAP Volunteer of the Year; Ruth Gross, HICAP 10 years of service; and Tracy Weintraub and Margaret Doedens, HICAP five years of service.
In the Ombudsman Program, in which volunteers advocate for residents’ rights in long-term care facilities, 11 former staff members who stayed on as volunteers after budget cuts received laurels: Muriel Dameron, Maureen Ardron, Bill Day, Bob Haddock, Rae Harper, Barbara Najman, Grayne Price, Velma Shivers, Janice Smith, Dan Stroba and Mary Tasker.
Marilyn Blackwood was singled out as an Ombudsman with 15 years of service, while Dameron garnered tribute for 10 years of service.
Betty Bartley received the SmileMakers Volunteer of the Year distinction and Sue Day was recognized for five years of service.
In the Caring Connections Friendly Visitor Program, in which volunteers provide social interaction for frail, homebound seniors, Mike Visnic was named Volunteer of the Year while Robert Musselwhite, Gary Sarver and George Smyth were honored for five years of service.
Recognition was given in three other programs: FAST (Financial Abuse Specialist Team), SAIF (Seniors Against Investment Fraud) and Linkages Care Management. Susan Lee was awarded the Linkages Program 2009 Intern of the Year, Dave Dickstein the SAIF Program Volunteer of the Year and Carol Mitchell the FAST Program Volunteer of the Year.
The Council on Aging–Orange County, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit organization since 1973, provides free programs to vulnerable and disabled adults and their caregivers in Orange County regardless of income or ethnicity. Their mission is to promote adult empowerment, prevent abuse and advocate for the rights and dignity of those experiencing health and aging challenges.
For more information, call (714) 479-0107, extension 223.
|
Call Us
