Volunteers honored at luncheon

More than 80 volunteers were honored at the Golden Hour Senior Center Friday during a luncheon.

Every year, the GHSC takes time to honor those who help the center out by volunteering their time to deliver meals to home-bound residents, host classes, call bingo or simply help any way they can to make the center a better place.

"We cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate you," GHSC executive director Sheela Schermetzler said.

She said the meagre staff of 10 could not do nearly as many things for the 683 seniors visiting the center if it wasn't for the volunteers who help on a daily basis.

"We have a lot of work that needs to be done," she said. "Without these volunteers, we wouldn't be able to do everything."

Not only did the volunteers receive a free T-shirt, they enjoyed a nice lunch. The theme of the lunch was how to grow a garden and keep it growing. The center also had special speakers talk to the group about how much their volunteerism was appreciated.

Mayor Pete Rust was on hand to kick off the speakers by reading a proclamation proclaiming Friday to be GHSC volunteer appreciation day.

"You just can't underestimate the importance of volunteers," Rust said.

He said even the smallest act of kindness can make the biggest impact.

GHSC volunteers then heard from guest speaker Irene Parsons, an avid volunteer in the community and her church. Parsons learned what the theme of the event was going to be and based her speech on it.

She said all of those who volunteer plant seeds, whether they are delivering meals, teaching classes, preparing meals, planning events or decorating for special occasions.

"You are beautiful blossoms of this GHSC garden," she said.

This center is a lifeline, she said and because of the volunteerism shown it continues to remain a place to keep people going by providing them with activities to participate in.

Not only do the volunteers plant seeds, but they take care of those seeds and get the garden to grow and flourish.

"You are the single, greatest asset to this center," she said.

"There are so many things that go on in this building that are volunteer driven," Irish Kreis, GHSC activities marketing coordinator, said.

She thanked all of the volunteers for their continued support and encouraged them to find the T-shirt with their name on it as a token of the center's appreciation. The T-shirts were donated by Trona Valley Credit Union.