More than 200 volunteers attended Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and awards ceremony held at Indian Pond Country Club on May 15, 2019.
OCES, the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout a service area of 23 communities in Greater Plymouth County, honored their volunteers who generously donate their time to help others.
Nicole Long, Chief Executive Officer of OCES, welcomed guests. Brenda Carrens, OCES’ Community Programs Director and Avery Hines, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager presented awards to eight volunteers who performed over 500 service hours in one year. OCES is a National President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Certifying Organization and was honored to present PVSA Gold Annual Awards for 2018 to Joseph Deitsch of Brockton; Paul Brogna and Pam Campbell Smith of Duxbury; Maria DeJesus, Veronica Files, Marilyn Knox, Patricia Naujunas and Pearle “Jo” O’Connell of Middleboro.
Additionally, four volunteers received the OCES “Making A Difference Every Day” award. Those receiving this special recognition for going above and beyond their call of service to make a difference in the lives of those in their communities: David Andrews of Brockton, a volunteer at the Brockton COA; Martha Joseph of Brockton, a Nutrition Program volunteer; Sandra Blanchette of Avon, a Money Management Program volunteer and Jonathan Plate of Plymouth, a Money Management Program volunteer.
“It is our pleasure to recognize and show our appreciation to all of our volunteers for their tireless dedication to helping others and making the world a better place,” said Carrens. “With the help of these generous volunteers, many OCES programs and Community Service Partner Programs are better able to assist those in need in our community. They are truly inspiring.”
OCES’ Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was hosted by Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston and sponsored by MountainOne Bank.
Volunteering at OCES/RSVP
OCES serves 1,600 meals each weekday as part of its Meals on Wheels (MOW) Program with the help of over 400 nutrition program volunteers who perform many tasks. Over 60 Money Management Program (MMP) volunteers assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with bill paying, reconciling bank statements, balancing checkbooks and in special cases, negotiating debt with creditors. More than 200 RSVP volunteers help local agencies such as Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Plymouth and Brockton Public Schools Reading Program, Food Banks including South Shore Community Action Council, Veterans Services, and others provide services. Volunteers also serve on the OCES Board of Directors, and the MMP or the RSVP Community Advisory Council as well as many other important efforts.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer for OCES or RSVP programs, contact Courtney Krajeski at 508-584-1561 x355 or visit ocesma.org.
About PVSA
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and is administered by Points of Light. For more information visit presidentialserviceawards.gov.
About OCES
Celebrating their 45th anniversary, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
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