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AUBURN, Mass. – Before political candidates gave their respective pitches Thursday at the Auburn Senior Center, two special volunteers took the spotlight, receiving the Lorraine Gleick Nordgren Community Service Award.
Joyce Plante and Harold Gionet were the award recipients for “all the service that they do for the senior center,” said Wayne Page, chairman of the Auburn Council on Aging.
“These are the kind of people that really make things happen for the people in need,” Page said. “They are tremendously great volunteers. They do a lot for the senior center, and a lot for the seniors, and they really, really deserve this award.
“I know there are a lot of people who do volunteering that are great,” he added. “And hopefully every year we keep giving out more and more to all these people who do such good work. I want to thank all the volunteers for their great work.”
Plante said they were very honored to be chosen for this award.
“We are blessed to be surrounded by all of our friends here on a regular basis,” Plante said.
In addition to receiving plaques for the award, the recipients were honored with congratulatory citations from the state.
“So often it’s the people who are elected to positions that get all the recognition, but there is no organization that can be successful if it’s not for the volunteers who do the work behind the scenes,” said state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury. “They’re not always the ones who get the recognition, so it’s my honor to give them this citation from the Senate.”
“Thank you for your service to the Town of Auburn, the senior center and to all of our seniors,” said state Rep. Paul Frost, R-Auburn. “Without volunteers such as yourselves, community service would be very, very difficult to provide to folks because tax dollars can’t do everything. You need people to step up and give their time and energy to help others.”
Also, Auburn Selectman Robert Grossman honored Plante and Gionet with a proclamation from the board.
“Ordinarily, we would have two proclamations that are read separately, but Harold and Joyce are inseparable,” Grossman said. “They’re always together whether it be dancing, playing bingo or volunteering here at the senior center. This award is well deserved by them, and I congratulate them.”
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