21 Volunteers Honored at Talking Information Center's Awards Ceremony

Shown: TIC Executive Director Jim Bunnell with volunteers Norm Blair of Marshfield, Nick Guarda of Middleboro, Christine Knapp of Duxbury, Herb Robinson of Marshfield, and Elizabeth Schmellick of Canton who were recognized for five years of service.

The Talking Information Center (TIC) recognized 21 volunteers for their years of dedicated service at their Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and awards ceremony held last month.

TIC, the award-winning nonprofit reading service and the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, which broadcasts 24-hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state, honored their Marshfield studio volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast held at, and sponsored by, the Village at Proprietors Green Assisted Living Facility in Marshfield, MA.

In an awards ceremony following the breakfast, State Representative James Cantwell presented the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Award to volunteers recognized for volunteering more than 100 hours in one calendar year. Elizabeth Schmellick, a resident of Canton, Cathleen Maye of Marshfield, Judy Picariello of Marston Mills, Maryanna Abren and Ann Cavanaugh of Middleboro, Joe Best of Randolph, and Corinne DItalia of Weymouth were honored with a personalized certificate, official pin, and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.

Award pins were presented to volunteers with 5, 10, 20 and 25 years of service. Those recognized for five years of service include Elizabeth Schmellick of Canton, Jay Clare of Carver, Christine Knapp of Duxbury, Melissa Bristol of Kingston, Norm Blair, Herb Robinson and Fred Tilley of Marshfield, Nick Guarda of Middleboro, and Pat Cotta of Plymouth.

Stan Troupe of Hanson was recognized for 10 years of service. Pat Flaherty of Duxbury was recognized for 20 years of service. Trish Garnett of Marshfield, Marcia Babcock of Norwell and Philip Drosdik of Pembroke were recognized for 25 years of service.

"TIC simply could not operate without the generous support of our volunteers and we are so grateful to every one of them," said Jim Bunnell, Executive Director.

TIC wishes to thank guest speakers Representative Cantwell, Colleen Ferguson, Executive Director of Village at Proprietors Green, Susan Romboldi, a longtime TIC listener, Christine James of WATD-FM and TIC Board Chair, and Lorraine Bottelli, TIC Volunteer Coordinator.

TIC operates with the help of more than 500 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. Two of TIC's newest shows include Veterans Voice Radio and Veterans Voice Story Hour, which are specifically geared toward military veterans and their families.

To view a Marshfield Community Television's video of TIC's Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, visit https://vimeo.com/215228795.

For more information about TIC, visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.