Agency to honor volunteers for elderly

The Area Agency on Aging annually recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond to help with senior citizens, but this year it also will recognize groups.

The Volunteer Group of the Year will be named for the first time along with Volunteer of the Year at an awards luncheon at Augusta's Holiday Inn West on May 19.

The agency is taking applications for nominees from the east central Georgia area until noon April 30.

"We've done Volunteer of Year for years, but the group is new," said Cynthia Haley, community projects manager. "We're really hoping to stimulate activities among civic groups and faith communities and want to recognize some of the innovative activities going on in the community."

To be nominated, volunteers and groups have to have made a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors during the past year, Haley said.

"Also, winners are chosen on how much energy they put into it," Haley said. "We look at if a group puts a great deal of creativity into it, and if it's something that could serve as a model or as a source of inspiration for other groups."

Haley said past winners have done a variety of things.

"They made multidimensional commitments to the community," she said. "Last year's winner, Vivian McKnight, is tireless and has put tremendous energy in her work. She volunteers daily at University Hospital Senior's Club and also at many other organizations including the Agency on Aging."

The agency has gotten a few requests for forms, Haley said, and organizers are hoping more people will nominate a person or group.

For more information, visit www.agingaction.orgor call 210-2000.