Senior Corps Director Tess Scannell (left) with Senior Corps Volunteers Katherine Schosger, Rose Vachio, and Arthur Nichols.

Washington D.C. — As the country celebrates National Volunteer Week, the MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging today will honor Senior Corps volunteers Katherine Schosger and Arthur Nichols as two of the top three recipients of 2004 Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards for outstanding contributions to their communities.

The Older Volunteers Enrich America awards pay homage to volunteers age 55 and over whose volunteer service helps to build healthier communities. The awards ceremony is being held today at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Schosger, of Corning, N.Y., will receive top recognition in the Mentor category for serving children and their families through the Foster Grandparent Program. Nichols of Kalamazoo, Mich., will receive top recognition in the Team Spirit category for his efforts in helping other seniors navigate the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program. Nichols, a gourmet cook, also helps prepare meals for homebound seniors. The third honoree, Josephine Cooper of San Diego, Calif., will receive top recognition in the Community Champion category.

"These recipients demonstrate the high caliber of volunteers that serve in our programs,' says Senior Corps Director Tess Scannell. "My hope is that other people age 55 and over will note the success of these volunteers and offer their own skills and talents to a cause they care about in their own communities."

This is the second year that the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has administered the awards for the MetLife Foundation. Last year, one-third of the award recipients were also Senior Corps volunteers. “People age 55 and over have tremendous skills and experience that can be put to use to strengthen their communities,” Scannell continues. "We encourage anyone over age 55 to log onto www.seniorcorps.org to find a local volunteer opportunity. It's easier than ever to get involved, and your community and country need you."

Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, taps the experience, skills, and talents of more than a half a million older Americans to meet community needs. Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. Senior Companions help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes; and RSVP volunteers conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, provide intensive educational services to children and adults, and respond to national disasters, among other activities. Together with USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation for National and Community Service is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.seniorcorps.org.

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