Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley has nominated Ann McClung for the Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award. The award recognizes top volunteers with the Shepherd’s Centers of America network for their service in helping seniors live safely and independently in their own homes. This in the only national volunteer award recognizing the service of seniors to seniors.
“There are countless ways volunteers inspire others,” says Shepherd’s Centers of America’s Board Chair Kay Wallick. “Through the Shepherd’s Centers network, senior volunteers perform simple, ordinary acts of care and kindness that make a remarkable difference in the lives of other seniors.”
Volunteer activities include driving a neighbor to a doctor’s appointment or grocery store, or could be as simple as changing a light bulb, helping with minor home repairs, or offering companionship with regular, friendly visits. Says Wallick, “These acts of kindness allow older adults to safely remain in their own homes.”
“Ann is an impressive person, a real visionary of programs and services, and an outstanding volunteer,” says one reviewer from the national committee. As a founding member of the Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley, Ann has been a dedicated volunteer for 17 years. “No one has given more of her time to the betterment and growth of Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley than Ann,” says Joan Reed, executive director of Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley.
Each year, the Shepherd’s Centers network of 60 centers supports nearly 10,000 volunteers who donate 375,500 hours of service. As a result, 42,000 older adults are provided informal caregiving services at no charge. The estimated value of these services is $8.3 million, based on the Independent Sector’s value for volunteer time.
The distinguished Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award if given annually to recognize volunteers from around the Shepherd’s Centers network. The 2014 award winner will be announced Oct. 8 at the Shepherd’s Centers of America national conference in Lake Junaluska, NC.