Talking Information Center Honors 13 Volunteers at Awards Ceremony

(L to R) Representative Jim Cantwell with Talking Information Center's Executive Director Jim Bunnell, President's Volunteer Service Award recipient Bob Cunningham of Natick, and former Representative Rhonda Nyman at TIC's Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

The award-winning Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service based in Marshfield, MA, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to thousands of visually and mobility-impaired listeners, held a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and awards ceremony to honor their Marshfield studio volunteers.

The Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast was held at, and sponsored by, the Village at Proprietors Green Assisted Living Facility in Marshfield. Following the breakfast, TIC recognized 13 volunteers for their years of dedicated service in an awards ceremony.

State Representative James Cantwell presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Bob Cunningham, a Natick resident who has volunteered more than 100 hours in one calendar year. As a recipient of this prestigious national honor, Mr. Cunningham received 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, 15, 25 and 35 years of service. Molly Schaeffer and Gene Blanchard of Duxbury, Elizabeth Schmellick of Canton, and Bill Zirpolo of Marshfield were recognized for five years of service. Pat Flaherty of Duxbury, Joan Dowd of Marshfield, and Donna Frano of Pembroke were recognized for 10 years of service. Warren Emerson of Middleboro, Elaine Prince of Duxbury, and Danny Verre of Plymouth were recognized for 15 years of service. Karyn Freitas of Stoughton and Mary Beth MacNeil of Plymouth were recognized for 25 years of service. Jacky Keith of Duxbury was recognized for 35 years of service.

"Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast gives us a chance to show our gratitude to all who have generously given their time and effort to TIC," said Jim Bunnell, Executive Director. "Our volunteers are absolutely essential. We simply wouldn't be able to provide this valuable service to thousands of listeners without them."

TIC operates with the help of more than 600 volunteers statewide and approximately 200 volunteers in their Marshfield studio alone. With a rigorous 24/7 schedule, a modest budget and only five full time staff, TIC volunteers tirelessly assist with programming as readers and engineers. Thoroughly trained to provide the best possible production, TIC's volunteers range in age and profession, and serve from the Marshfield studio as well as from affiliate stations.

TIC's mission is to provide human voice(d) broadcasts to visually impaired and otherwise disabled listeners throughout Massachusetts to promote independence and enrich quality of life. TIC broadcasts newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. They also offer 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.

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