Senior volunteers recognized

More than 50 Libby area seniors packed into the Fjord Room of the Venture Inn Monday for the annual Retired Seniors Volunteer Program luncheon. The luncheon is intended to recognize the hours of volunteer labor donated to the community by its senior volunteers.

Sharon Bladen, the program’s director, said more than 130 volunteers donated approximately 20,000 hours of volunteer service in Lincoln County in 2014.

“We have a great program here,” she said. “There are so many people willing to help others, it’s incredible.”

Bladen coordinates the volunteer program in Lincoln County, along with five other western Montana counties, through the Area Agency for Aging in Polson. The area agency is a non-profit organization that coordinates with the federal Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteerism in America.

At the luncheon local volunteers were recognized for their hours of service. Bronze, silver and gold recognition pins were awarded to seniors who donated 100, 250 and 500 hours of time, respectively.

For 2014, 22 Lincoln County residents donated between 100 and 250 hours of service and received bronze service pins. An additional 12 people donated between 250 and 500 hours to receive silver pins.

Nine county residents exceeded the 500 hour mark and were awarded gold pins. Those nine people were Chloe Adamson, Barbara Guthneck, Michael Guthneck, Debra Haidle, August Hardgrove, Gary Huntsberger, John Knudson, Laurie Mari and Pam Peppenger.

This year marks the program’s fourth in Lincoln County, and the final one for Kate Huntsberger, who has worked as the program’s local coordinator since its inception here.

“I’m not done volunteering,” Huntsberger said. “Whoever takes this job, you know you can call me if anything needs done.”

Bladen praised Huntsberger for the work she’s done keeping the program moving forward and growing in Lincoln County.

“She’s been at my right hand all the way, making sure this works,” Bladen said.

Program volunteers donated hours to a wide range of community projects in 2014, including Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Auxiliary, Libby Care Center, the food pantry, the Heritage Museum, Red Cross blood drives, the Chamber of Commerce and a host of other local service organizations.