July 18, 2005

Panhandle Health District Honors Senior Companions

COEUR d'ALENE - More than 70 volunteers were honored recently by Panhandle Health District for their service to North Idaho senior citizens.

The Senior Companion volunteers, who come from all five northern counties, provide companionship and service to frail older individuals. Two volunteers, Julia Beasley of Coeur d'Alene and Olive Nelson  of Hayden, were honored for 22 years of service each to the Senior Companion program.

Senior Companions provide the essential services that enable frail older Americans to continue to live independently by taking care of simple chores, providing transportation to medical appointments, and offering friendship and contact with the outside world. They also provide respite care to relieve live-in caretakers for short periods of time.

PHD's Senior Companion program has about 70 volunteers. However, many clients are on a waiting list for a Senior Companion. Those who would like to volunteer to be a Senior Companion may contact Terri Roeth at 664-8544. Senior Companions must be at least 60 years old and no experience is needed. Volunteers receive a modest tax-free stipend plus mileage for approximately 20 hours of service a week.

This year's honorees and their years of service are:

22 Years

Julia Beasley
Olive Nelson

15 Years

Lynne Cavenaugh
Whilma Clure
Clifford Grimes
Norma Grimes
Mary Irwin
Lynn Schatz

10 Years

Joyce Aamodt
Lois Belden
Darlene Big Spring
Jacquie Blankenship
Chester Cottongim
Carol Creel
Jaquelyn Jackson
Arlene Pentland
Sue Robinson
Arlene Shields
Bertha Swan
Marolyn Southern

5 Years

Ruby Hart
Dolores Hawkins
John Hawkins
Hazel Hoffman
Betty Johnson
Lorraine Johnson
Marilyn Jordan
Sybil Ketner
Frances Nickelby
Carol Reistroffer
Melvin Robinson
Bernice Schuerman
John Schuerman
William Shirey
Virginia Tenny
Doris Tope
Zelma Walden
Lea Yergler
Charlotte Naccarato

4 Years

Marie Doyle
Milton Kurtz
Loren Vanek

3 Years

Alice Barfuss
Verla Bedwell
Carol Bloom
Joan Bruce
Donna L. Fields
George Holcomb
Bonnie Huff
Leroy Kleinbeck
Billie Machado
Jim Melies
Warren Scott
Marie Stevenson

2 Years

Barbara Bennett
Peter Bennett
Hilda Dean
Gina Leitte
Frances McDowell
Phyllis Tritt
Genevieve Bunderman

1 Year or Less

Evelyn Derrick
Thomas G. Jones
Laverne Reams
Faye Saunders
Everett Tritt
Carol Umphress
Lois Wells
Geraldine Lounsbury
Elsie Olson
Anna Sines
Wanda Sue Richardson