NORTHFIELD — To recognize the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to the Northfield Senior Center and Council on Aging, a gathering was held in their honor at The Brewery at Four Star Farms last week.
Local beers were flowing, food was provided by Hillside Organic Catering, and Joe Bedard and Ted Thornton performed live music.
Colleen Letourneau, director of the Northfield Senior Center and Council on Aging, spoke about the value of volunteers using statistics. According to data from an Independent Sector study, volunteers are worth on average $28.54 an hour. According to the Statista Research Department, the average volunteer donated 137 hours each year. With 34 volunteers having donated 4,658 hours of their time to the Senior Center and Council on Aging, the value of their contributions equates to $132,939.32.
Steve Roberto, chair of the Northfield Food Pantry, noted how Senior Center and Council on Aging volunteers work together to provide food for seniors and others, putting in “a huge amount of hours.” The pantry also serves Bernardston, Leyden and Warwick.
“They deserve the recognition,” Roberto said.
Volunteer Pam Eldridge of Northfield also noted how the community works together. She sets up a food table in her Main Street driveway for the weekly senior meal that she prepares with the help of the Senior Center and the Trinitarian Congregational Church. Eldridge estimates that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have distributed more than 3,000 meals to residents. She also collects refundable bottles and cans from the Northfield Golf Club, which has helped fund concerts and paid for the Senior Center’s new television.
Referring to the recognition event, Eldridge said, “It is nice to be recognized and see your friends.”
“Due to COVID, our volunteers haven’t had a recognition event in several years,” Letourneau wrote in an email. “They are such a wonderful group of people who give endlessly from their hearts for us. We cannot thank each and everyone of them enough.”
Reach Paul Franz at 413-772-0261, ext. 266 or pfranz@recorder.com.
