Cherry Hill Manor honors volunteers at special dinner

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They were called everything from “inspirations” to “people who go the extra mile to help others.”

They are everyday people like Judy Santilli and Adeline Zanni, just to name a few, who Tracey Cordeiro emphasized “are extraordinary volunteers who make a world of difference.”

And last Thursday evening, amid forest green and white linen table coverings, balloon bouquets and music, the tireless and fun-loving activities staff at the award-winning Cherry Hill Manor put on an “awesome awards affair” to honor a host of those volunteers who find time in their busy schedules to make life better for the nursing and rehabilitation facility’s residents.

“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all you do for our residents,” said Cordeiro, Cherry Hill’s new activities director. “You help bring joy to our residents. You are an inspiration for what you do here. It’s incredible how you all come here to volunteer.”

And that explains why people like Lucy Monti and Lisa Ricamo, whose mother Josephine Artesani, 85, resides at Cherry Hill, wanted it known that “there’s lots of genuine love and caring in this room tonight.”

With music man Steve Burke playing his keyboard and saxophone, and Chef Vinny preparing a delicious dinner, everyone from Executive Director Katie Gerber to a special serving staff went above and beyond expectations to pay tribute to two-dozen-plus people during Cherry Hill’s annual volunteer tribute dinner.

The night’s highlight was a presentation of the “Resident Volunteer of the Year” and “Volunteer of the Year.”

But first, Cordeiro and Lorraine DiLorenzo, Cherry Hill’s assistant activities director, presented special gift bags to volunteers for the “extraordinary effort they put in for our residents.”

After which, Cordeiro turned to Jessica Lopes, yet a member of Cherry Hill’s activities staff, whose words brought tears of joy to the faces of many of the night’s attendees.

Lopes wrote special presentation messages that she read when it was time to present the night’s two major awards.

“This year’s resident volunteer of the year is a fairly new addition to our volunteer list,” Lopes began. “She is an amazing person and an equally amazing volunteer. She is always willing to give a helping hand to not only our department, but any resident in need. For example, at coffee bar she is one of the first residents there for their daily fix of good coffee and pastry.

“She keeps a mental list of the order in which residents arrived so that our staff knows who to serve first. She also assists in bringing the pastry, coffee or Cherry Hill bucks to residents already seated in the main lobby. Any task we ask of her does without complaining and she does it well.

“From making the daily morning announcements, letting the Cherry Hill facility know the menu for both lunch and dinner and activities going on for the day to assisting in clearing the storage room … she is a valuable asset to our volunteer department. She is none other than Connie Diaz, who we thank for making a difference!”

The “Volunteer of the Year Award” went to Deacon Joe Tumminelli from St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Johnston.

“Deacon Joe is someone who shows as much dedication as a paid staff member,” Lopes said. “He’s someone who goes the extra mile for the residents, someone who interacts with the residents with respect and a sense of humor.”

Lopes, whose emotions during the presentation made it clear about how the activities staff handles its daily duties, said, “Every Sunday, weather permitting, Deacon Joe is at Cherry Hill Manor prepared to conduct communion service. In a facility with such a high Catholic population, this community service is so integral to the residents’ lives.

“For several residents, it is the only activity they will attend all week. Not only does he come every Sunday, he goes above and beyond by coming on holy days of obligation. Recently, he came to pass out ashes on Ash Wednesday for our residents. It’s hard to articulate with words how much that means to many of the residents.”

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