New Canaan's Waveny LifeCare Recognizes Its Volunteers

From Waveny LifeCare Network: Waveny LifeCare Network recognized its many volunteers for their individual contributions of time and talent throughout the Network, including Waveny Care Center, The Village at Waveny, the Adult Day Program and The Inn. Many local churches, schools and organizations were represented, reflecting the deep and enduring ties between Waveny and the surrounding community.

More than 150 volunteers joined together on Waveny’s renowned ‘Main Street’ at The Village, in celebration of their service to the nonprofit eldercare organization throughout the year. “The gifts of time and talent that our volunteers freely share enrich the lives of everyone we serve,” said Rebecca Albrecht, Vice President of Human Resources for Waveny, addressing the honorees. “I hope that you know how important you are to Waveny's residents and staff, and that your experiences here leave you with a full reward down in your heart.”

Nearly 70 active Waveny volunteers were recognized for service-hour milestones ranging from 50 to 4,100 hours. In addition to recognizing hours of service, 16 loyal volunteers received awards commemorating their anniversaries of 5, 10, 20 and 35 years of service at Waveny.

Service awards were also presented to four-pawed volunteers, Meca, Bingo and Harry, for serving Waveny faithfully for over five years, by providing the unique benefits of pet therapy.

Following additional words of thanks from Bill Piper, CEO, and Tom Ferguson, Board Chairman, awards were presented to the following volunteers for their outstanding service-hour milestones:

• 4,100 - Fiz Tomaselli
• 3,600 - Dominick Gredoni
• 900 - Patricia Wood
• 700 - Linda Neave
• 600 - Chris Dreifeldt, Judy Gemza
• 300 - Martha Castillo, Michelle Dore and pet therapy dog Meca, Millie Gangi, Fran McAleer, Catherine Sturgess
• 200 - Cory Benz, Dionna Carlson, Katie Stewart
• 100 - Lauren Achille, Hailey Bacon, Natalie Bacon, Jarrod Ford, Meredith Ford, Kimberly Genuari, Mary Griffin, Satrisha Gulappa, Frank Lupariello, Susan McKay, Martha Porretta, Jacqui Sweeney, Meghan Muldowney, Elizabeth Ward.
• 50 - Caroline Addeo, Henry Boot, Matt Cipri, Morgan Connelly, Walker Dean, Heather Dewitt, Elizabeth Dignan, Nick Evarts, Gretchen Gertsen, Joseph Keller, Ellen Kiakoff, Terry Kirkpatrick and therapy dog Scout, Katie Mackle, Anthony Petrosinelli, Adam Pysk, Joan Simms, Camryn Schlim, Christine Troller, Leo Van Munching, Jean Paul Mourier, Diana Siano, Renee Ostebo.

Awards for milestone years of service were presented to:

• 35 Years - Lila Coleman
• 20 years - Molly DePatie
• 10 Years - Virginia Lowry, Christine and Emma Chivily and Charlene and Caroline Callahan (General Store)
• 5 Years - Joan Brode, Kim Crosby, Diane Muldowney and pet therapy dog Bingo, Allia Nolan, Patty and Skylar Severance, Elaine and Lester Sharlach and pet therapy dog Harry.

A special mention went to Emma Chivily, Caroline Callahan and their mothers, who pioneered the General Store Volunteer Program on ‘Main Street’ 10 years ago, providing residents with the opportunity to “shop” for small items donated by friends in the New Canaan community. This year, the young women will be heading off to college, and passing on responsibility for the store to a new generation of volunteers: The Colthop, Corcoran, McNamara and Kelley families.

Stella Clarke, Waveny’s Director of Volunteers thanked everyone assembled for their loyalty and dedication. “I would like to honor all who have been part of building our volunteer program into what it is today,” said Clarke. “While every moment shared with us is precious, it is an exceptional privilege to honor those volunteers who have dedicated such significant amounts of time and years to the seniors we serve, and our mission.”

Volunteers and Junior Volunteers help in a variety of ways throughout Waveny LifeCare Network’s continuum of care. Volunteer roles are tailored to individual skills and interests, with orientation and training sessions provided onsite at Waveny. In addition to providing one-on-one attention, they assist with activities for Waveny’s residents, patients and participants by helping with social hour, afternoon tea, reception, pet therapy, gardening, flower arranging, hort therapy, and leading intergenerational programs. Volunteers also help with special projects in the dining, administrative, development and therapeutic recreation departments. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Waveny, please contact Stella Clarke, Director of Volunteers, at 203.594.5334 or SClarke@waveny.org.

Waveny LifeCare Network provides a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to serve the changing needs of older adults from all areas. Waveny is a nonprofit organization that offers independent living at The Inn, assisted living and short-term respite care for people with memory impairment at The Village, and skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Waveny Care Center. It also includes the Brown Geriatric Evaluation Clinic, an Adult Day Program that provides free door-to-door transportation throughout most of lower Fairfield County, and an array of community-based services through Waveny Home Healthcare, Waveny at Home and Geriatric Care Management. For more information, call 1-855-WAVENY-1 or visit here.

Photo courtesy of Waveny LifeCare Network: Stella Clarke, Waveny’s Director of Volunteers with long-time volunteer, Lila Coleman, who was recently honored for 35 years of service to Waveny.