Special Guests Help St. John’s Celebrate Its Resident Volunteers
It was a packed dining room at St. John’s Meadows when over 90 resident volunteers gathered together on April 19 to be honored for their service to both St. John’s and the greater Rochester community as part of National Volunteer Month. According to Volunteer Services Representative Jaimie Cullian, the tasks this group handles is many with some “doing a lot and others whatever they can.”
From assisting with concierge duties, calling Bingo, food and clothing drives, garden club, newsletter distribution, art gallery recruiting, and serving on various committees to being book club leaders, recreation planners, and new resident greeters, this group does its part to keep the community running smoothly. Cullian, along with St. John’s President and CEO Charlie Runyon and St. John’s Foundation President Anne Mckenna, each shared words of recognition and historical perspective on the impact made to St. John’s by its resident volunteers.
Also as part of the festivities, Cullian invited two notable special guests from the Rochester community, to express their own gratitude for the work these dedicated volunteers. Brighton Supervisor Bill Moehle knew many of the residents in the crowd as their volunteer work extends into the adjacent community of Brighton, in which St. John’s Meadows is located. He talked about how their work has made a difference locally to many Brighton citizens.
City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, assuming his office just a few months ago, shared highlights of his agenda, specifically providing information of relevance to seniors. Evans’ volunteer corps is one of those projects that he hopes to have significant involvement from residents like those at St. John’s, he noted.
The luncheon culminated with the awarding of the first ever, Jean Loomis Award, for noteworthy service by a resident volunteer. It is named for St. John’s former volunteer coordinator, Jean Loomis, who was a long-time employee. With a picture-worthy look of surprise, St. John’s Meadows Resident Bizza Milliken shared that she was humbled to be the first to win this award.
To view more photos of the 2022 St. John’s Senior Housing Volunteer Luncheon, view our photo gallery here.