SAGE Eldercare celebrated its volunteers at their annual luncheon on July 17, 2018. More than 300 volunteers help SAGE each year with everything from assisting with SAGES’s Spend-A-Day program and delivering Meals on Wheels and grocery shopping to volunteering at the Furniture Workshop and helping in the office.
“Volunteers are instrumental in helping SAGE carry out its mission to maintain the safety and independence of older adults and to support their families and caregivers,” said SAGE Executive Director Angela Sullivan.
The luncheon was sponsored by PNC Wealth Management, Home Care Assistance, and The Grand Summit Hotel, where the event took place, and included door prizes and entertainment by vocalist Rhonda Denet.
“All of our volunteers are bettering the lives of our older neighbors,” volunteer Marianne Kranz said. “Meals on Wheels is not just a food delivery service; it cures loneliness and gives people hope. It saves lives. The Furniture Restoration Workshop fixes family heirlooms and contributed $84,000 to SAGE programs last year. Spend-A-Day volunteers are there for program participants and their families during very vulnerable times. These small, or sometimes very large, acts of kindness are the most important thing we can share with the community and potential donors to ensure they understand the importance of our mission, to make sure the older adults we serve remain as safe and happy and healthy as possible.”
To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at SAGE, please call Marianne Kranz at 908-598-5514, or email mkranz@sageeldercare.org.
About SAGE
Since 1954, SAGE Eldercare has been helping make the communities it serves amazing places to age. The non-profit organization provides a wide array of information, support, and services designed to help individuals lead the most independent and active lives possible. From helping with errands and delivering Meals on Wheels, to exercise classes, community programs and support groups, Medicare counseling, care planning, an adult day health care center, and home health care, as well as the SAGE Resale Shop and Furniture Restoration Workshop, SAGE’s expertise helps older adults remain independent in their own homes. SAGE is committed to being the leading provider of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults, their families, and caregivers in Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset Counties. For more information, please call 908-273-5550 or visit sageeldercare.org.
(above) Long-time volunteers Ruth Mirrer of Chatham and Joan Abelson of New Providence look over the raffle baskets during SAGE Eldercare’s annual luncheon.
(above) Volunteer Furniture Restoration Workshop Manager Al Kessler of Basking Ridge and SAGE Volunteer Coordinator Amy Stuart of Berkeley Heights.
(above) A Meals on Wheels volunteer for two years, Robert Lecky of Morristown, holds a basket he won at the luncheon, which honors the many volunteers supporting SAGE Eldercare.
(above) Home from college, summer volunteers Grace Pewone of Westfield and Noah Peace of Short Hills enjoy lunch.
(above) Director of Volunteers Marianne Kranz pays tribute to volunteers at SAGE Eldercare’s annual luncheon.
