Senior Stars recognized during luncheon

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Although it was rainy and overcast Wednesday, some stars shone brightly at the Van Wert County Council on Aging.

During the annual Senior Citizens Day Luncheon held Wednesday at the center, 10 local volunteers were selected as Senior Stars for their volunteer work both at the Council on Aging and in the community. Each person selected received a medallion and certificate recognizing their accomplishments.

Those selected include Sharon Adkins, Linda Frederick, Carol Hennis, Allie and Bill Kuhlman, Ron Myers, Nancy Potter, Bill Reidenbaugh, Wayne Taylor, and Betty Vogt.

Adkins was nominated by Ken Mengerink for her volunteer work with a number of organizations, including the Council on Aging, Community Health Professionals and the Twig gift shop at Van Wert County Hospital.

Frederick was nominated by Allie Kuhlman for her six-year stint on the YWCA Board of Directors and her continued volunteer work with the YW, and her extensive volunteer work with Council on Aging, including as a member of the Council on Aging Board of Directors, as Designer Purse Bingo chair the last two years, her donation of baked goods to Council on Aging and her work in the kitchen during Monday Night Bingo at the Senior Center.

Hennis, who was nominated by American Red Cross Director Sandy Lane, volunteers extensively with that organization, serving as a past coordinator of bloodmobiles at the local Federal-Mogul plant prior to her retirement, her current service as coordinator of 43 volunteers at the local hospital and her creation of a job-shadowing program for college students at the hospital.

Both Kuhlmans, who were nominated by Mengerink, are longtime volunteers at the Council on Aging, with Allie Kuhlman recently completing two terms on the Council on Aging Board of Directors, serving as both president and vice president. Both are also longtime volunteers at Lodge 1320, Loyal Order of Moose in Van Wert.

Myers, who was nominated by Allie Kuhlman, currently serves as Council on Aging Board president, and was vice president in 2013. He volunteers approximately 10 hours a week for various Council on Aging activities and is charge of Texas Hold ‘Em events. He also volunteers for several civic organizations in the community.

Potter, who was nominated by Robin Waters of Community Health Professionals, answers phones at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, volunteers in the office of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, conducts a Bible study at Hearth & Home in Van Wert, and also helps organize a memorial service at Community Health Professionals.

Reidenbaugh, who was nominated by Major Art Barter of The Salvation Army, volunteers more than 40 hours a week at The Salvation Army, sorting donations that organization receives and preparing them for the sale floor of the Salvation Army Thrift Shop.

Taylor, who was nominated by Matt and Tina Braun of LifeHouse Church, provides assistance to that organization, volunteering 15-20 hours a week at LifeHouse and also fills in for the group director when needed. He also started a Grief Share Group in the community, as well as a DivorceCare Group.

Vogt, who was nominated by Jacque Welch, administrator of Van Wert Manor, delivers all daily mail at Van Wert Manor and helps plan and organize events with the Manor’s Activity Department. She also volunteers as the Resident Council president at the Manor.