LOCAL WOMAN RECEIVES LEADINGAGE STATEWIDE VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

On Thursday, October 10 LeadingAge Massachusetts honored June Carter with their annual Volunteer Service Award.  June was selected from nominees across the state for her outstanding commitment, excellence, and passion in her years of volunteer service to elders at Rogerson Communities.

The Rogerson Egleston Adult Day Health Program opened its doors in 2007, and along with many of the participants who transferred from another program that was closing, came June Carter, who had volunteered there since the late 1990’s.  June has continued to volunteer with Rogerson Communities ever since, now with more than 15 years of commitment to helping elders through music therapy.

86 years old, Ms. Carter loads her guitar, boom box and cds into her car every Thursday
at lunchtime and drives through busy city streets to where Rogerson Egleston Day Program elders are awaiting her arrival.

 “Having experienced first-hand the power of music to increase my wellbeing, I knew I could make a
difference,” recalls June, who sang in several choruses and groups over the years.  She adds, “I was trained and worked as an RN my whole adult life, always working to heal the outside while I knew
music could heal the inside.”  Many of the folks in the group have been coming to her Thursday music hour since she began. 

June takes requests, exposes the group to new material, acknowledges holidays and special occasions, and encourages singing and dancing along.  At times the room is full of listeners with wide, dreamy eyes.  Other times the room is full of singers with feet tapping along.  Always the room seems full of love and joy—and on the rare occasion June takes a holiday or sick day, there is a life-loving sound that is clearly missing.

Rogerson Communities greatly appreciates June’s years of dedication and service and was excited to secretly nominate her for this prestigious award.  June was the only one surprised that she had won.