A day of recognition for PDC volunteers
In an elegant Paris-themed event, the staff of the Porterville Developmental Center acknowledged the efforts of seniors who volunteer for their foster grandparent and senior companion projects at their annual recognition luncheon Thursday at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene. Around 100 people attended the event, including the senior volunteers, PDC staff, friends and family.
Upon entering banquet room, the senior volunteers posed for their portraits in front of a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, then took their seats at tables decorated in the quaint style of a French bistro.
Theresa Bilecci, executive director of PDC thanked the volunteers in her opening remarks, and elaborated on the event’s theme, which was based on the Edith Wharton quote, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
“I believe our volunteers are the candle, which permits you to emit the light of love and hope,” said Bilecci.
“You brighten the lives of others by opening your heart with understanding to those who need it the most. You aspire to radiate the maximum amount of light, knowing others will reflect from it.”
Next, members of the PDC staff and advisory council presented certificates of appreciation to each of the volunteers, accompanied by a brief summary of where each senior volunteered and how many hours they have contributed. Whether a new volunteer with only a few hundred hours or Connie Lopez, who is the program’s longest serving volunteer with 30,298 hours contributed to PDC Unit 29, each volunteer received an appreciative round of applause from the audience for their efforts.
Reverend Richard Jordan connected the theme of light-bearing with the French decor in his comments before providing a blessing for the meal.
“Paris is known as the City of Lights, and in that keeping, you all must know that you offer light to those around you,” said Jordan. “Your presence, love and outreach is doing that-- not only for [your clients], but for all those who see you doing what you do. Your actions ripple out far beyond what you can hope and dream. That’s the beauty of volunteering.”
Seniors who volunteer with the foster grandparent project help students in special needs classrooms at schools in the community, and senior companions volunteer their time with clients 22 years and older at PDC and the Sheltered Workshop. They work at least four hours a day five days a week, assisting clients at work sites, or by talking, singing and reading with them in hospital settings.
“I enjoy getting out of bed every day and going to work. It gives you a good feeling when you go in and they’re there smiling, ready for you,” said Ramona Ramos, who has volunteered 7,689 hours at PDC, and is the senior companion representative on the PDC advisory council. “I don’t have any grandkids around, they’re all grown up and gone, so my girls call me Grandma, and that is beautiful.”
For the senior volunteers, who give much of their time to benefit others, the event was an opportunity to receive recognition for their efforts, socialize with fellow volunteers and friends, and enjoy good food and entertainment.
“It’s nice to be recognized for our volunteering, and we get to socialize because we don’t have time at work,” said Elsie Cantu, who has contributed 7,366 hours of her time to clients at the Porterville Sheltered Workshop.
Entertainment for the event was provided by a four-piece performance group from the Creative Center in Visalia. Dressed in olive drab military uniforms reminiscent of World War II, the group performed an Andrew Sisters-themed set of songs, including “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”
The foster grandparent program has been a part of PDC operations for 45 years, and the senior companion program for 34 years. Currently, there are 23 foster grandparents volunteering in 11 community schools with almost 28,000 hours contributed this year. The 31 senior companions volunteering at PDC and the Sheltered Workshop have contributed 45,000 hours in 2017.