Jul 2, 2002 3 min read

Frick Hospital recently celebrated the service of 124 dedicated volunteers, who contributed to a total of 19,833 hours of volunteer service last year. Margaret Farrell of Mount Pleasant Pleasant received top honors with a total of 23,786 hours of service. Jean Rager of Hunker completed 11,966 hours of service, followed by Tammy Ballew of Mount Pleasant with 11,652 hours of service.

Additional volunteers honored included Rita Abromson of Mount Pleasant (11,163 hours); Michelle Czekaj of Mount Pleasant (7,742 hours); Eleanor Bair of Ruffsdale (7,134 hours); Shirley Carolen of Mount Pleasant (7,076 hours); Theresa Matsey of Mount Pleasant (5,737); Lucille Wingert of Scottdale (5,692); Marilyn Shallenberger of Scottdale (5,219 hours); Jack O’Laughlin of Scottdale (4,592 hours); Mary Lou Stiltenpole of Scottdale (4,169 hours); Marjorie Wierzbowski of Mount Pleasant (4,057 hours); Ayelene DeLuca of Scottdale (3,570 hours) and Mildred Mullen of Mount Pleasant (3,111 hours).

Those honored for volunteering more than 2,500 hours included Donna Connors of Acme (2,845 hours); Judy Ward of Ruffsdale (2,578 hours); and Michael DeLuca of Scottdale (2,553 hours). Recognized for serving more than 2,000 hours were Irma Tishman of Ruffsdale (2,192 hours) and Helen Foster of Scottdale (2,133 hours).

Volunteers who contributed more than 1,500 hours of their time included Doris Cunnard of Scottdale (1,980 hours); Carol Myers of Scottdale (1,886 hours); LaVonne Wieczorek of Acme (2,867 hours) and Hazel Hoffer of Scottdale (1,522 hours). Michelina “Polly” Hart of Mount Pleasant was just shy of this 1,500 mark and completed 1,423 hours of service.

Those who achieved more than 500 hours included Michaela O’Connor of Mount Pleasant (862 hours); Jean Cavanaugh of Scottdale (609 hours); Patricia Rush of Scottdale (602 hours) and Rod Cavanaugh of Scottdale (530 hours).

Individuals recognized in the 100-plus category included Emma Lou Harris of Scottdale (415 hours); Patti Frost of Scottdale (213 hours); Jackie Schmitz of Mount Pleasant (173 hours) and Orphagene Reed of Normalville (171 hours).

In addition, Frick Hospital awarded nine “Gold Star Achievement Awards” to the following individuals: (500-plus hours served in 2001) Doris Cunnard, Donna Connors, Jean Rager, Shirley Carolen, Margaret Farrell and Polly Hart; (800-plus hours served in 2001) Carol Myers, Eleanor Bair and Michelle Czekaj.

Special appreciation was also extended to members of the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Program. Clergy, who volunteered last year, included the Rev. Aurdey Bell, the Rev. David Bell, the Rev. Douglas Burns, the Rev. James Clark, the Rev. Richard Hartman, the Rev. Dennis Henley, the Rev. Dr. James W. Hepler, the Rev. Dennis Hoffman, the Rev. Daniel Hertzler, the Rev. David Lee, the Rev. Mildred Monticue and the Rev. Charles Whipple.

The awards luncheon was held at the Wyndon Lakes Golf Club in Scottdale. Joseph J. Peluso, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Westmoreland Health System, presided.

Volunteer opportunities are available for people of all ages with varied interests and skills. Assignments range from patient interaction to computer related, with new opportunities frequently available. For more information, call the Frick Volunteer Office at 724-547-1037.