OCES Holds Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon & Awards Ceremony in Kingston
More than 225 volunteers attended OCES’ Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on May 29, 2024. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, honored their volunteers with a special luncheon at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA.
OCES is a Certifying Organization of the National President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) that honors outstanding volunteers and recognizes the impact they make. Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager, and Cidalia America, OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator, hosted the event and presented special awards to 15 volunteers.
OCES bestowed the PVSA Lifetime Achievement Award, for those who volunteer 4,000+ hours over a lifetime, to James Kinkade of Pembroke and Michael Hession of Middleboro.
The PVSA Annual Gold Award, for those with 500+ volunteer hours for the year, was presented to Adrienne Barros of the Plymouth Center for Active Living.
The Make a Difference Award, which is granted by OCES to exceptional volunteers for their dedication to helping others and who make a big impact on our community, was presented to 15 volunteers: Therese Hodge of Brockton; Diana DiGiorgi of Bridgewater; Brianna Donachie, Evan Norman, Katelyn Saunders, Matthew Madrigal, Rachel Langlois and Sydney Rappaport all from Pembroke; and OCES’ Money Management Program volunteers Thomas Cuddihy, Gail Mather of Avon, Bill Bloor of Plymouth, and Robert Sawyer of Middleboro.
“We recognize and thank all of our generous volunteers for their tremendous dedication to helping others and our communities,” said Alisa DeLage, Chief Programs Officer of OCES.
About the PVSA
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action too. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers. As an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee, OCES receives funds through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for volunteers age 55+. RSVP-PC volunteers assist OCES and other local agencies that are OCES Community Service Partners.
Volunteering for OCES
With the help of more than 550 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,600 meals every weekday as part of its Meals on Wheels Program. Money Management Program (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, MMP and RSVP-PC Community Advisory councils, and contribute with many other important efforts. OCES’ Volunteer Program supports Community Service Partners including South Shore Habitat for Humanity, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, local food banks, and Veterans Service agencies.
Earlier this year, OCES reopened their Volunteer Center at 204 South Meadow Road in Plymouth to serve as a central resource for volunteers and service partners offering volunteer opportunities in Plymouth County. Prospective volunteers can talk one-on-one with Volunteer Program staff who assist them in their search for volunteering opportunities that fit their skills and interests. The Volunteer Center is equipped with computers for researching volunteer opportunities as well as brochures and other literature from organizations seeking volunteers.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities
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