FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 22, 2004
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Corporation for National and Community Service
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
202-606-5000 x255
sscott@cns.gov |
Two Senior Corps Volunteers Receive National Award for Outstanding Service |
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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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