Delivering a Difference

Volunteer of the Year Award—Mary Evens

Over the last 50 years, Aging Ahead has depended on dedicated volunteers to deliver millions of meals, provide wellness checks, and a friendly connection to homebound older adults. In honor of celebrating 50 years in the community, we wanted to recognize our wonderful volunteers who all truly deliver a difference in our community. We couldn’t do the work we do without our volunteers!

We received nominations from staff and participants, nominating exceptional Aging Ahead volunteers to receive the inaugural Delivering a Difference Volunteer Award. A committee reviewed the submissions, and three finalists were chosen for recognition, Bob Havin (volunteer delivery driver at St. Clair), Jeanne Dobbins (volunteer for CHOICE programming), and Mary Evans (center volunteer at St. Peters). 

Bob has been a volunteer for many years, delivering two routes of meals each week, as well as delivering shelf-stable boxes of food each month to homebound older adults! Jeanne has begun her volunteer journey during the pandemic and has served in a variety of different roles. Now she is an integral part of our Y’s CHOICE program operation—where staff and participants depend on her smile and compassion every week. The recipient of the 2023 Delivering a Difference Volunteer Award went to Mary Evans, a former member of staff. Mary, formerly the Home Delivered Meals Coordinator (HDMC) at the St. Peters center location, retired in 2018 at the age of 78. Before her 20 years of service, Mary and her husband, Jim, delivered meals for many years.

After retirement, Mary couldn’t sit still and decided to continue her journey with Aging Ahead as a volunteer once again. Teri Fletcher, Senior Center Administrator at St. Peters, nominated Mary for her unwavering dedication to living the mission of Aging Ahead: supporting individuals through the journey of aging. “We are extremely fortunate to have such a helpful and dedicated volunteer.”

Mary volunteers at the St. Peters center three days each week, answering the phones, making reservations, and is a wealth of information for all that visit the center. “I enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Aging Ahead was a great place to work, and now a great place to volunteer. I guess you can’t get rid of me!” 

Mary, Bob, and Jeanne were all recognized at our 50^th Anniversary Open House, a celebration beginning a year of events that mark our 50^th year of supporting countless journeys of aging in the community. The award was presented to Mary by Board of Directors President, Linda Spitzer, and Lisa Knoll, CEO.

Thank you to Mary, Bob, and Jeanne, and to all of our volunteers at Aging Ahead! We really couldn’t address all of the needs of those we serve without the tremendous support of our volunteers!