GEORGE “RAY” CASPER

George “Ray” Casper currently volunteers for three programs within the Department of Aging in San Joaquin County. He has enormously positive impact on others as a result of his volunteer work. For example, Ray Casper volunteers to coordinate the distribution of foods at the St. Andrew’s Church site. When Ray unlocks the doors at 6:30am, over 30 volunteers are gathered outside ready to begin the task of packing the goods and setting up table’s distribution. Over 400 families are served at this site. Some of Ray’s responsibilities include checking in the foods to be distributed the day before, gathering and recruiting enough volunteers to help for the day, carefully calculating the number of items to be divided among the food bags, assisting with packing and completing the volunteer time sheet paperwork. Ray has a kind nature and goes the extra step to make the volunteers and recipients of the commodities feel welcome and important.

Mr. Casper makes noteworthy contributions in that he serves as Chairman of the San Joaquin County Commission of Aging. The Commission is the lead advocate for the 87,000 seniors who reside in the county. They are also the Advisory Board to the San Joaquin County Area Agency on Aging, which provides an integrated system of care for the elderly and disabled. His duties with the Commission include his participation on several committees. He is a member of the Commission Executive committee, the Technical Advisory Committee, the Nutrition Task Force and the Monitoring committee. Each of these committees provides volunteer services that meet at least once a month. In addition, Ray attends the Area Agency on Aging Council meeting of California as the San Joaquin County Chairman representative.

Mr. Casper has volunteered for 15 years in the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, advocating for seniors and dependent adults residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in San Joaquin County. This program tries to ensure that the residents in these facilities continue to have the best quality of life possible.

Mr. Ray Casper’s dedication to his community, the senior within, and the programs he serves are evidence for his continued work and average of over 80 volunteer hours each month. He has done an outstanding job of working to meet the needs of this community, and he is well respected and admired by those he works with and serves. We are honored to have Ray as a member of the San Joaquin County RSVP, Commodities Program, member of the Commission on Aging and volunteer in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

MARILYN ROOT

Marilyn Root is a thoughtful, caring volunteer and community advocate. She has strived through the years as a member of the Commission on Aging, the Link Ages board and other senior advocacy groups to improve the lives of seniors in all areas.

Her involvement as past president and her current involvement on the board continues to make positive change for the county’s seniors. She was instrumental in the founding and building of the Betty Queen Intergenerational Center, which provides adult daycare and special activities to keep seniors active. She also recruits volunteers and delivers meals to homebound seniors.

Believing there was a huge need for additional local rescue service, she was one of the first local residents to acquire the needed training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Lake Anna Rescue and she still works diligently for the squad as their Grounds Chairperson, and serving on the hospitality and fund raising committees. She often provides catering for community events. Last year she was also trained for Louisa County CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams).

She is active with the Mineral United Methodist Church, having served as the president of the UM Women and is a summer camp councilor at “All God’s Children” summer camp for children whose mothers are in prison. Her interest in children continues as she has been an advocate for individual children in the court system and delivers “Books for Babies” to encourage parents of newborns to read to their infants and instill a love for reading. Marilyn is also involved with the National Association for Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), serving as Chapter Alzheimers Chairperson and State Area 8 Representative.

TED MINTUN

Ted Mintun retired in 1990 as Chief of Social Services at the Salina Area Social and Rehabilitation Services office. After 44 years of social work practice, Ted transitioned from Volunteer Station liaison to RSVP volunteer, recording over 20,500 service hours between September 1991 – March 2005.

Since retirement, Ted has served on six Boards of Directors of community agencies. All Boards, and agencies, subsequently functioned more productively as a result of Ted’s contributions. His meeting minutes, research, and reports are legendary!

As Chairperson of the Volunteer Recruitment Committee for the All-America (substance abuse) Prevention Partnership Board of Directors for 4 years, he recruited between 10 and 55 adult volunteers for numerous alcohol, tobacco and drug free community recreational events for youth. Ted currently serves on the Community Corrections Advisory Board, Kansas Children’s Service League Advisory Council (and liaison to foster parents), and The Volunteer Connection Advisory Council.

As a member of the Salina Planning Council for Children and Families, Ted served on four of the five subcommittees: Not only an active participant, Ted has served as Secretary for all of the subcommittees, and the overall Steering Committee, including for 3 of them concurrently! Ted also worked many hours collecting data and writing reports for the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority Community Planning Team for the 28th District.

Ted screened potential clients for the community health clinic for nine years. His numerous services helped two wheelchair bound senior citizens remain in their own homes for most of the last two years of their lives. For the past 10 years, he has mentored a young boy with special needs, enabling him to become a much more normal, happy, young man.

At 83, Ted remains a tireless advocate for children’s issues, relief of poverty and hunger on local, state and national levels.

ROBERT HEMMINGER

Robert Hemminger is known as “Mr. Habitat” at the Firelands Habitat for Humanity Chapter. He has been with the affiliate since it’s inception in 1990. At 86 years old, he still outworks most of the other volunteers and volunteers at least two days per week.

His work, belief and love for Habitat for Humanity inspires both the staff and all who volunteer with him. He deeply cares for the families served by Habitat and is viewed as grandfather figure by many of them. He helps the families in many ways, talking to them, offering guidance when needed and much more. When the Firelands chapter needs a truck or backhoe or other large equipment, Bob is there with the needed equipment. When the chapter needed a location to build it’s workshop, Bob stepped forward and offered a corner of his farm. The workshop was built and Bob is frequently there helping out as needed.

Fran Mason

Fran Mason’s volunteer effort has definitely impacted both individuals and the community of Kalamazoo, MI. Fran began her second “full-time” job as a RSVP volunteer when she retired in 1993, and today volunteers for Ministry With Community, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Washington Writers Academy, Meals on Wheels and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Fran goes above and beyond the call of duty. When Kalamazoo resident Vicki Saeman’s house burned down, she turned to Ministry With Community for help. Saeman said many people promised to help, “but Fran actually wrote down what I could use. Fran goes out of her way to help. It’s the simple things that mean so much.”

Fran coordinates volunteers who bake, package and deliver 100,000 cookies to non-profits, nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals during the Holidays. Fran teaches volunteers to roll candles that are sold as a community fundraiser. She is the election chair for precinct 16 and volunteers for every election. She coordinates the wrapping of 600 holiday packages given to area youth on Christmas Day. For eleven years she has tutored and mentored children through RSVP and her “reward” as she says, is seeing so many graduates. Fran always encourages others to volunteer; “…we need lots more helping hands.”

Fran’s special skills and talents were recently recognized this year, when she received Kalamazoo’s Irving S. Gilmore Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer efforts. It’s hard to believe Fran will turn 80 next year, for she shows no sign of letting up. “I think the primary reason for volunteering is feeling blessed yourself, and having the physical ability to get out and help someone who is less fortunate.” Mason says. “That’s satisfaction that money can’t buy.”

MARY ELLEN COX

Mary Ellen Cox has been an advocate for aging issues and reforms since 1971 when she officially “retired”. She served on Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging’s Board of Directors from 1993-2002. Now she is a member of our Advisory Council. In 2003-2004 she has chaired the Agency’s 30th Anniversary Planning Committee. Her commitment and passion to educate and advocate ensuring the availability of home and community based services for seniors and their caregivers are tireless.

She was appointed by five Governors of Virginia to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Board on Aging. She served on this board for 20 years. She was the first Chairwoman of the Virginia Coalition on Aging. Other positions and contributions include: Chairwoman of the Interfaith Coalition for Older Virginias, Chairwoman of the Statewide Coalition to Support Family Caregivers, and board membership for Our Lady of Hope Health Care Center, Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Virginia Center on Aging.

She has been instrumental in the faith community as Coordinator of Older Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. She insures that information on senior and caregiver topics is included in church publications.

She has served as a legislative advocate with the General Assembly on may aging issues to include tax relief for caregivers of the elderly and adults with disabilities. Before moving to Beaverdam, VA in 1993 to be with her daughter and family, she had already opted for a retirement of meaningful humanitarian service. Instead of days of bridge and cocktail parties, the previous twenty-five years in Southeastern Virginia involved her creating a Senior Center Multi-Purpose Center, a location for seniors to socialize, get continuous education and health services. This came out of a federal initiative and she asked to be appointed to the Southeast Virginia Model Program. This model led to the outgrowth of Tidewater’s first adult day care center in 1975 and 1987 it was named for her, the M.E. Cox Center for Elder Day Care, Inc. this she saw not only a respite for frail elderly, but for their caregivers. Her desire to see home and community based services meet the needs and desires of seniors and their families also serves the needs for cost savings in long term care choices and health care spending. Her gentle disposition, sure speaking manner, ego less aura, and reluctance to enumerate her accomplishments vocally make her an advocate’s advocate. The long list of unmentioned honors can’t be included in this short document. It is also not just humans that benefit from her daily care. Seven years ago she created a private rescue service for lost and injured animals. It takes really just a few words to describe Mary Ellen Cox – a warm, caring, active citizens’ citizen who puts service to others needs before her own. She has achieved vibrancy at the age of 84 by trying to wear herself out in service to others.

MARTIN POZEZNIK

When you need an enthusiastic and dependable volunteer, look no further that Martin Pozeznik. As a member of RSVP since 1987, Martin has significantly contributed time, talent and creativity to help fulfill the agency’s mission.

Last year Martin was matched with a gentleman who was in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s Disease, and who frequently lost his balance and would find himself on the floor. Martin created a pulley system to help him with his mobility, and made sure things were within his reach. He often stopped by to either give a caregiver a break, or just to say hi because “I know he’s lonely and likes to see me.”

One afternoon when Martin was about to leave, his client looked up at him from his seat on the floor and said, “Come down here a minute, I want to give you a hug.” Martin got down on the floor and gave him a hug. It was the last time Martin saw him alive. He felt it was his responsibility and honor to attend the funeral of “his friend.”

Martin Pozeznik is 90 years old! It astounds me to think that he has been providing in home support to frail seniors and the disabled for 18 years! I have NEVER seen Martin wear anything but a smile on his face, nor have I ever heard him complain. He always has an up beat, positive attitude and a sunny disposition.

He loves what he does and encourages others to “…help someone out. We’re all going to need help sometime.” He is a joy to be around, and at an age when many seniors are looking for services, Martin is looking for seniors to serve. I would love to see him honored for his service to his community.

GARY B. PAGE

Gary Page joined the RSVP last year. He actively serves at three RSVP stations as well as volunteering for the Fields Pond Nature Conservancy despite being wheel-chair bound due to Multiple Sclerosis. Gary assists the Eastern Agency on Aging with their Tax Rent and the Maine Medicare Education Partnership programs. He is a docent with the Galen Cole Land Transportation Museum.

However, his heart and the majority of his volunteer hours are with the Bangor Outreach Office of the National Multiple Sclerosis (NMSS). For that organization, Gary utilizes his professional skills from advocacy to vocational rehabilitation of office management to support the mission and efforts of the NMSS.

According to K. Sawyer, the Outreach Coordinator for the Bangor area, Gary has transformed the office making it more efficient and is an inspiration to her and the clients they represent. He has helped many afflicted with MS to bloom and fulfill life dreams despite their health condition. “Gary is a self-starter and a go-getter,” according to Ms. Sawyer. He has served over 1200 hours since joining RSVP last year. Ms. Sawyer has also described him as a super volunteer, and that she could not function without him. His assistance with fundraising, health fair education, advocacy efforts and other responsibilities drives and strengthens the organization’s ability to serve the needs of those afflicted with MS in the greater Bangor area.

Another volunteer on the site gave her opinion of Gary as “…an irreplaceable rock and cornerstone” for the Maine Chapter. Whenever, in my role as RSVP program coordinator, I have the opportunity to visit the MS office, I am greeted by Gary who has an unmatched enthusiasm in his speech and eyes and a warm confidence of a man on a mission…he lives with MS but also gives to MS all that he can.

MILDRED MCKINNEY

Mildred McKinney has been an RSVP volunteer for 27 of her 33 volunteering years, serving all 27 at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) in Spartanburg, SC. She is 88 years young and has a wonderful attitude and spirit, both about her volunteerism and about life. She sees the positive, always, over the negative.

She is fondly referred to as the “Queen of Volunteers” by her Volunteer Site Director, by her co-volunteers, by her RSVP Director and by the doctors, interns, nurses, and all other hospital staff. In the 27 years at the hospital, she has served 21,600 hours, an average of 67 hours per month. Mildred drives to and from the hospital, and her absence on a designated day is a rarity, indeed.

She volunteers at least four days a week, three in the Surgery Waiting Room, one of the busiest places in the hospital, where Mildred serves as the liaison between the physicians and the family members. The doctors, particularly, enjoy Mildred’s dry wit and twinkling eyes and smile. As one doctor stated, “Mrs. McKinney is a bright spot in situations where there are not always bright spots.” While she is highly professional in dealing with family members of sometimes critical or terminal patients, she is always compassionate, helpful and available. We are unable to come up with a number of families/people that Mildred has helped and comforted over 27 years but we are sure it is thousands. Mildred has a talent for being able to size up a situation quickly and make right decisions concerning that situation.

She is very healthy, energetic, and highly capable. She insists that her volunteer activities keep her young and happy. At 88 years, she still enjoys life, a goal we all hope to have at 88.

On her fourth volunteer day, she is at the Information Desk, escorting family members to their destinations. If either of her locations temporarily changes, she “rolls with the punches” as she does many times a day in such a demanding environment. Even though she is a widow on a fixed income, she is made rich by loving, caring and giving heart.

BARRY & EVELYN ADLER

Barry and Evelyn Adler are a dynamic team. Seniors themselves, as JFCS Case Aides they specialize in providing tangible, practical support to other seniors and to individuals struggling with chronic illness or disabilities. Whether it’s installing bookcases, repairing a broken stair, taking a client shopping for new shoes, arranging to have a care tuned-up, or sorting through 30 years of clutter in preparation for a client’s move to care facility, Barry and Evelyn are the pair JFCS turns to when loving hearts and helping hands are needed out in the field.

Because of their caring personalities, Barry and Evelyn are able to make immediate warm connections with clients (which is not always easy to do), while keeping them focused on the task to be accomplished. As a result, difficult clients who would normally refuse help will allow them to go through papers that have piled up, toss things not needed, and set up a filing system for important documents. Barry and Evelyn have also functioned as a “sounding board” for senior clients who are in transition; accompanying them to assisted living facilities and helping them see the advantages of living in such a place. And Barry has also brought his expertise with technology to the job, setting up computer systems for clients and teaching them how to use the equipment.

Many of our clients do not have anyone else to provide them with this kind of direct practical support since they are either childless or their children live far away. By doing these simple, but essential, tasks for our clients Barry and Evelyn greatly reduce the strain on the JFCS care managers while ensuring that our clients get the individualized help they need.

As if this gift of their time and talents wasn’t enough, several years ago Barry and Evelyn set up an endowment fund to underwrite the cost of providing specialized trainings for the JCFS volunteer corps on how to work effectively with “challenging” clients and stressful situations, like helping clients deal depression and isolation during the holiday season, or working with clients with serious mental illnesses.

In addition to their patience and generosity, a special sill of the Adler’s is the ability to sort through mounds of clutter and separate what is truly valuable from what should be discarded. This was indispensable when they were asked to handle the disposition of items in the storage locker of an elder Cantor. Sifting through each book, photo, tape and scrap of paper, they catalogued the items and arranged for them to be shipped to the Yiddish Repository. Thanks to their efforts, The Cantor’s treasures did not end up in the garbage, but in a Jewish museum for all to enjoy.