Skip to content Priority Health
Sections

2009 Senior Impact Awards

Nomination Deadline

For the October 2009 Senior Impact Awards, submissions are now closed.

2009 Priority Health Senior Impact Award winners announced

(Sept. 01, 2009) Priority Health announces the four regional winners of its Senior Impact Award, which was developed to recognize the ways senior volunteers put their energy and commitment to work for the community.

The United Way and Volunteer Centers of Michigan worked with Priority Health to identify senior volunteers in their Michigan communities, to collect nominations, and to choose the winners.

2009 Senior Impact Award Winners

Terry Osinski of Grand Traverse County
Terry, or "Grandma Terry" as the staff at the Women’s Resource Center call her, volunteers at Helen’s House Emergency Shelter and Sara’s House transition home. Both homes serve women and children who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Sara’s House residents also have substance abuse issues. "Grandma Terry" splits her time between the two houses four days a week and at the age of 82 is an inspiration to all.

Eloise Selleck of Muskegon County
Eloise is a volunteer at Muskegonites Child Study Club. Eloise began volunteering in 1931as a Sunday school teacher at her local church. Later she formed a local club to help young moms learn about child development. Now, 78 years later, Eloise is still leading this group, Muskegonites Child Study Club helps children of less fortunate families, providing hot meals, clothing and school supplies. In addition, Eloise has served on the boards of the Muskegon YWCA Y-Teen program and Muskegon Webster House.
David Marker of Kalamazoo County
David is remarkable volunteer. He began volunteering in 1997, at the age of 63 as a volunteer for Probate Court in Kalamazoo County. He visited persons under guardianship in adult foster homes, nursing homes and the psychiatric hospital to determine if their needs were being met. David chose to take on the cases that no other volunteer wanted to visit. Through his efforts he has improved the quality of care and life for countless persons in his community. David also volunteered at Senior Services where he delivered meals for the Meals on Wheels program. His pet project is to make sun-catchers for the hospice patients in area. Recently David’s health took a bad turn, and today, David is receiving services from Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. He continues to serve the community through his stained glass offerings to hospice patients and is grateful that he is able to add a touch of sunshine in what is often a final and dreary chapter in their lives.

Ronald Voorheis of Oakland County
Ronald has served as a volunteer for the Huron Valley Community Chest for the past 50 years. He also volunteers with the White Lake Presbyterian Church, Meals on Wheels, Goodfellows Association, White Lake Historical Society and the Senior Center. Ronald is keenly aware of those in need and works with the Community Chest to find solutions to help those people. It is estimated that over the past 50 years Ronald and the Community Chest have been able to better the lives of over 2,500 families providing help with heat and electricity; medicine and medical bills; child care; and repairs to hot water tanks, furnaces and vehicles.



Questions?
Call Pamela Mulliner at 616 464-8680 or e-mail awards@priorityhealth.com.

United Way logo 0309






Allegan County United Way’s Volunteer Center
Barry County United Way Volunteer Center
Heart of West Michigan United Way Volunteer Center
Hillsdale County Senior Services Center
Newaygo County, NCCS Volunteer Resource Center
Montcalm County United Way and Volunteer Connections
RSVP/CASA of Monroe County, a United Way agency
RSVP of Jackson County
Volunteer Center of United Way of Northwest Michigan
Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo
RSVP of Washtenaw County
Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan
Volunteer Initiative of Greater Ottawa County United Way’s
Volunteer Muskegon
United Way of Southeastern Michigan
United Way of St. Clair County
Last modified 09/15/09