FriendshipWorks Honors Longtime Volunteer

Photo: (Left to Right) Janet Seckel-Cerrotti, Executive Director of FriendshipWorks, Lois Waller, Program Director at FriendshipWorks, Clara Ann Coffie-Jackson, award recipient, and Connie Packard, President of FriendshipWorks Board of Directors.

FriendshipWorks a network of trained volunteers that provide support and assistance to elders in Boston and Brookline, has honored Clara Ann Coffie-Jackson with the David Libby Award in Service to Older People for her 17 years of service and dedication to the organization. The ceremony, held at Old South Church in Boston, was a celebration of gratitude for Clara (Ann) and all of the volunteers who take the time out of their busy lives to provide a helping hand and friendship to elders in the community.

“Clara Ann Coffie-Jackson is a remarkable person who has dedicated so much of her time to ensuring that elders are not left behind in hustle and bustle of everyday life,” said Janet Seckel-Cerrotti, Executive Director of FriendshipWorks. “Despite her own work schedule, she has remained a devoted friend to her matches over the years, even using her own vacation time to take her matches to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, or out for walks. We could not be more grateful to Clara Ann for being such a wonderful, caring volunteer and an incredible friend.”

When asked about her dedication as a volunteer, Clara Ann stated that she “just loves doing it.” She continues, “It’s a gift that God gave me to serve. Once I started to see the needs of the elders, and that they appreciate the help so much, we became like family.”

Currently, Clara Ann Coffie-Jackson has two matches. In addition to her efforts with FriendshipWorks, Coffie-Jackson is the Internal Medicine Supervisor at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Boston. She resides in Stoughton, MA.

Find out how you can make a difference in someone’s life by visiting www.fw4elders.org or calling 617-482-1510.

About FriendshipWorks

FriendshipWorks (formerly MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers) is a network of trained volunteers that provide support and assistance to elders in Boston and Brookline. With 30 years of experience recruiting, training, and placing volunteers for this purpose, FriendshipWorks’ mission is to decrease the social isolation, enhance the quality of life, and preserve the dignity of elders. FriendshipWorks partners with congregations of all faiths to identify people who need assistance and find volunteers who share the organization’s goal of helping a neighbor in need. FriendshipWorks cooperates and shares referrals with area hospitals, long-term care facilities, health, government, and human service agencies. www.fw4elders.org