By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- "Volunteers -- the Heart of Our Nation" was the patriotic theme for Wednesday's annual Cass County Council on Aging volunteer recognition dinner in the Sid Ritter Dining Room of the Edward Lowe Center for the COA.
The 313 "volunteer opportunities" filled in 2002 by donating 22,614 hours of their time saved her agency $348,030, 17-year Executive Director Suzanne Colley said.
Communications Director Tim Bennett, Dowagiac's "Citizen of the Year" chosen by the Elks Lodge, added, "That's 22,000 choices to say yes to the COA. That's 22,000 hearts that made a difference for people who can't get out of their houses or, like Alice (Alexis, 870.60 hours), who is dealing with people with dementia."
The COA calculates that: 164 people received 33,810 hours of in-home and respite adult day services and caregiver support services; 1,468 people were served 54,807 meals; 4,871 people took part in leisure enrichment programs and activities; 136 seniors were transported 5,896 times to medical appointments, adult day services and shopping trips; 136 received reassurance services; and 72,300 Messengers, the COA's monthly newspaper, were distributed to more than 6,000 people.
Volunteers represent the principle reason the COA can put 91 percent of its budget directly into services.
Tax millage furnished the COA $1,131,576 in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2002. Public support totaled $2,283,322. Total expenses came to $1,827,996, including $1,670,712 for program services and $157,284 for management. The annual financial report shows a $455,326 increase in net assets.
Goals for this fiscal year include: establishing an enrichment center which combines programming for life and leisure enrichment; combining human resources and the volunteer departments; completing the memorial garden; establishing a housing committee to explore senior housing; collaborating with Probate Court to develop an advocate program for older adults; installing a generator to operate the senior center during power outages; creating a shared position with the Sheriff's Office; entering into a collaborative agreement with AmeriHost in Dowagiac for use of its pool to conduct aqua aerobics classes; hiring a chief financial manager; entering into a collaborative agreement with Dowagiac Elks Lodge 889 and the Edwardsburg American Legion to bring more programming to those communities and developing a COA radio show -- all but one of which was achieved during the first half of fiscal 2003.
Carol Smith, president of the 16-member COA board of directors, said highlights of 2002 include:
Board members' backgrounds include education, farming, banking, financial advising, accounting, construction, homemaking, art, journalism, real estate, labor and management and also reflects a blend of retirees and those still in the work force. The board meets twice a month to set policy.
Volunteer 'Superstars'
with more than 100 hours
Oct. 1, 2001-Sept. 30, 2002
601 or more hours
Phyllis Schoff, 894.15
Alice Alexis, 870.60
Karl Crisler, 720
James Leach, 679
Miriam Johnson, 620.45
501-600 hours
Kurt Brauer, 574.60
Bob Barton, 571.75
401-500 hours
Conrad Johnson, 434.45
Gloria Goodrich, 410.60
301-400 hours
Billie Purdy, 381.30
Tony Farrow, 371.50
Bettie Bundle, 358.75
Kenneth Hartman, 321.75
201-300 hours
Shirley Lapham, 255.15
Bill Wade, 245.50
Shawn Wyant, 234.60
Ada Butler, 229
Marshall Redmond, 204.30
Mary McCrorey, 254
Maurice Hawks, 241.15
Leta Ritter, 234.30
Charles Hunt, 220.60
Barbara Whitehouse, 202.60
Pete Dodd, 253.15
Joan Haines, 236.75
Barb Rank, 230
Bill King, 211.30
100-200 hours
Beverly Alexander, 151.60
Larry Balok, 110.30
Betty Benson, 125.60
Dawn Buczynski, 122.45
Dolores Flora, 116.45
Harry Flora, 116.45
Norma Fokey, 102.90
Mary Fosdick, 113
Joyce Greenwood, 130.30
Marcia Gregg, 127.30
Sam Hansen, 123.90
James Harnden, 127.15
Sharon Harnden, 120.90
Annie Johnson, 139.30
Ruth Johnson, 186
Ruby King, 195
Kenneth Krause, 153
Jacque Kujawa, 119
Verneita Lamb, 197.45
James Love, 115.30
William Mackling, 102
Hubert Pelham, 159.35
Olga Redmond, 122.60
Don Reid, 144.45
Tom Rutherford, 109.45
Betty Rutz, 115.60
Alice Sattlemeier, 135.45
Bill Sedik, 172.60
Shirl Sedik, 141
Lorna Suits, 155
Avis Tassin, 147.30
Gert Wade, 153.45
Karla Weidner, 126.15
Carol Wells, 133.30
Howard Whitehouse, 194.60
Don Wilson, 163
Donald Wilson, 103.45
Regina Davis Wolverton, 121.15.