Appreciation shown for volunteers

The dining room was packed with volunteers enjoying a meal while listening to letters written about them.

During the volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Golden Hour Senior Center Thursday, volunteer after volunteer was recognized for what they do for the center.

"We couldn't run the senior center without it," GHSC executive director Sheela Schermetzler said. "Almost every activity at the center is ran by a volunteer."

Green River City Councilman Gary Killpack was on hand to talk to the volunteers about how important they are to the center and the city.

"I would like to congratulate everyone who is receiving a volunteer certificate," Killpack said. "Green River is one of the friendliest places in Wyoming. We have a lot of visitors say that."

Killpack said the reason the city is so friendly is the seniors established this way of life and passed on those same values to their children and grandchildren.

"It's a wonderful place to be," Killpack said.

Killpack then read a volunteer poem and a proclamation making it GHSC Volunteer Appreciation Day.

"You volunteers and those who serve the community deserve a round of applause," Killpack said. "Green River wouldn't be the same without you."

After Killpack was done congratulating the volunteers, activities and marketing coordinator Barbara Bates read letters to the volunteers that residents had written about them. A lot of them, especially those who came from meals on wheels recipients, truly showed how much the volunteers impact their lives.

While the volunteers ate their lunch, Schermetzler took the time to tell them why they are so important.

"We would have to close the doors if we didn't have volunteers," Schermetzler said.

Schermetzler wanted to thank all of the volunteers, but had a few she wanted to give a special thank you to. For the past 20 years, Bob Bingham has taught the arm exercise class. Mary Grubb teaches the better balance class and Carmen Tune takes care of bingo.

"They just run it." Schermetzler said. "If they can't be here, they'll get a sub."

The center has more than 75 volunteers to help the seven full-time employees keep the facility going. Some serve on the GHSC board or activities committee, while others deliver meals to homebound residents or get rooms ready for games. Some take the time to teach others how to learn a skill, such as painting, making crafts or chairs.

Schermetzler said there are so many volunteers that she simply can't list them all, but each is equally important to keeping the center up and running. Even the small things they do make a big difference.

 

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