Published: May 09, 2008 11:18 am         

Greencroft volunteers recognized at tea

Greencroft Goshen celebrated the contributions of its many volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet May 1.

Held during National Volunteer Week, the banquet featured the theme “Volunteers Are ‘Tea’-riffic,” with tea served along with the other foods.

Pins were awarded to volunteers who reached the milestones of 100, 200 and 500 hours of time, as well as for every 1,000 hours of accumulated volunteer time.

Among those recognized for at least 5,000 hours were Boyd Nelson (5,000), Orlo C. Brenneman and Elva Yoder (7,000), Joe Baer (8,000), Louida Mishler (9,000) and Laurence Horst (13,000).

This year’s banquet also featured a special 40th anniversary recognition of the Greencroft Auxiliary, which was first set into motion in 1968.

A number of the early members were in attendance, including Dorothy McFarland and Barbara Miller, who were committee chairwomen in the first year of the Auxiliary and were recognized for their 40 years of service. Also acknowledged were Ida Helmuth for 20 years and Carolyn Hertzler for 30.

In an appropriate tie-in to this year’s banquet theme, the Auxiliary’s first function was a “Get Acquainted Tea” for residents.

Volunteers who died in 2007 were also remembered during the banquet.

“Our volunteers are an important part of what makes Greencroft Goshen a truly giving and caring community,” said Tandy Stutsman, volunteer coordinator at Greencroft Goshen.

“The volunteers enhance the lives of our residents every single day,” she said. Stutsman said that 345 volunteers served at Greencroft Goshen during 2007, contributing 43,664 hours, with a value of $242,634.