“What volunteers bring is the human touch, the individual, caring approach that no government program, however well-meaning and well-executed, can deliver.” –– Edward James Olmos.

Thursday, the Senior Center of South Pearl River County hosted its sixth annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to honor those who lend their free time and abilities to enhance the lives of seniors.
Senior Center Executive Director Darlene Adams started holding the program when she became director.
“I couldn’t believe there was nothing being done to recognize the volunteers,” she said. “At that time, the center was 90 percent run by volunteers.”
There are about 22 to 24 volunteers who serve as instructors and work during center-sponsored activities such as the annual potlucks.
On a monthly basis, volunteer instructors teach classes at the center. The activities that are available to center participants include line dancing, senior fitness, Spanish class, painting, karaoke, sewing, woodcarving and ceramics.
“We couldn’t have our calendar of events if it wasn’t for our volunteers,” Adams said. “Some of them commit to a class for a year.”
Volunteers do not have to be seniors, but Adams said most of them are at Picayune’s facility. Many people from various civic organizations and schools also lend their talents to the center.
Thursday, the Pearl River Central High School NJROTC presented the colors and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
After the presentation, students from PRC High School’s personal leadership class served guests their meal.
Adams also thanked NJROTC instructor Col. Todd Ryder and several cadets who volunteered their time on a Saturday to remove a large oak tree that fell on the center’s property.
District IV Supervisor Farron Moeller spoke Thursday about recent county events, one of which was Tuesday’s severe weather.
“I was out monitoring the weather’s affect on the roads and giving reports to WRJW,” he said Friday. “We are gaining ground on the litter program and ordered new signs. The area is being heavily patrolled by law enforcement and local citizens, who are calling in car tag numbers when they see someone litter. This is a certified retirement area and retirees are so valuable. The volunteers here offer years of experience, they get things done so it all moves smoothly. They have done wonders with the senior center. I hate to know how this county would run if we didn’t have our SPCA volunteers, volunteer firefighters and our seniors. They are priceless and there’s no way we can pay them what they’re worth.”
Last year the center hosted a 5K run. Adams paid special recognition to three community members who helped make the event a success, she said.
They were Tonya Cialona, who chaired the event, and Derek Turnage and Dana Smith, who organized the pancake breakfast, Adams said.
Next to be recognized were the top two volunteers for 2015.
The first was Edna Creel, who logged in more than 134 volunteer hours.
“She is at the center almost every day and never says no when she is asked to help,” Adams said.
The second volunteer of 2015 was instructor Ruby Wise, Adams said. Wise put in 250 volunteer hours helping decorate the center for special events, Adams said.
Mike Fitzwilliam was awarded board member of 2015.
“This generation doesn’t want a hand out,” Adams said. “They want to own it. This is their place. When you get that, it works. This lunch is our way of giving back to our seniors. It’s a day to make them feel special and for us to show them how much we at the center love them.”