Honoring Volunteers - OCES Presents Awards to Local Volunteers at Appreciation Luncheon

(Left to right): Kristin Pratt and Mark Grossman of AbbottCare; Nicole Long, CEO of OCES; Kathy Katts and Francis Silva of AbbottCare,  Cidalia America, OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator and Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) welcomed more than 140 guests to its volunteer appreciation event held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA on May 5, 2026. OCES is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts.

“We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated volunteers who support our programs that provide essential assistance to those in need,” said Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager.

Armindo Rocha and Cidalia America, OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator, hosted the appreciation luncheon and awards ceremony. Volunteers were recognized with awards in Longevity, Annual, and Make A Difference categories.

OCES’ hosts presented Longevity Awards for milestone years of dedicated volunteer service to Sue and Gordie MacEwan Duxbury Council on Aging Meals on Wheels (MOW) drivers; and John Morrissey, Donna O’Leary, and Margaret “Peggy” Cook Wareham COA MOW drivers.

Butch Menchin, a MOW driver from Rockland COA, received the Annual Making a Difference Everyday Award. This award recognizes outstanding service within a single calendar year. Volunteers must have completed 350 or more hours of service during 2025.

OCES presented Make a Difference Awards to the following volunteers in recognition of their dedication to helping others and making a meaningful impact in the community: Mike and Maggie Fortuin, Rockland COA MOW drivers; Carol Simmons, Halifax Money Management Program (MMP); Ed and Tish Menz, and David Condon Pembroke COA MOW drivers; and Marie Madonna, Brockton Kitchen Aids from Caffrey Towers.

 Rocha continued, “We recognize and thank all our generous volunteers for their unwavering commitment to helping others which further strengthens our communities.”

  
Volunteering for OCES
With the help of more than 600 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,600 meals every weekday as part of its MOW services. MMP volunteers, assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with bill paying, reconciling bank statements, balancing checkbooks, and in special cases negotiating debt with creditors. Volunteers also serve on the OCES Board of Directors, participate in the MMP Advisory Board, and contribute to many other important efforts.
  
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities