Cherry Hill Manor hosts Volunteer Appreciation Night

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Steve Burke, an accomplished entertainer and one-man band, may have never played such an appropriate song as he did sometime around 7 o’clock last Thursday night.

Burke, who plays the keyboard and saxophone, pumped Nat King Cole’s famed “Unforgettable” into Cherry Hill Manor’s main dining room, which was filled with people of all ages.

Almost instantly, Tracey Arpin, Cherry Hill’s activity director, took the hand-held microphone and added: “That’s what you are!”

Although Burke and Arpin’s timing was unrehearsed, it told the whole story about a night when the award-winning rehabilitation and nursing center held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Night Dinner.

“This is an amazing extension of our staff’s dedication and caring for all our residents,” Katie Gerber, Cherry Hill’s executive director, began as she delivered the night’s official greeting. “Thank you, especially to all our extremely valuable volunteers, for what you do to for each and every one of our residents … And Thank You to Tracey, who always does a great job with all our events and her super staff. She’s absolutely amazing.”

Once the night’s dinner was complete, Arpin began presenting a host of volunteer awards.

“This is my third year hosting our volunteer banquet,” she said, “and every year I’m reminded of the wonderful, loving, dedicated and giving volunteers that bless us with their continued support. We have a long list of volunteers that have been with the company for years and they have become family to us.”

During an emotional program, Arpin – with the help of activity department staffers Joan Stonzione and Lynn Briggs, along with marketing director Loraine DiLorenzo – presented special certificates and gift bags to all Cherry Hill’s volunteers.

Perhaps the dinner theme – “Planting the Seeds of Kindness” – was indicative of what Roger Biron has done for Cherry Hill’s volunteers as a relative newcomer to the highly important program.

“Because of Jim, many of the men who usually refuse a majority of our activities are now attending his groups and coming out of their shell a little,” Arpin boasted of Biron’s efforts. “He puts heart and soul into the group and we are very thankful and lucky to have him here.”

As a special “thank you” to Biron, Arpin presented him with a $25 gift card to Home Depot.

She also made another “special presentation” to resident Linda Graham, who heads Cherry Hill’s ladies volunteers.

“Linda helps our residents who are unable to write or fill out birthday cards, get-well wishes, thinking of you, [and other messages] for residents to send to their friends and families,” Arpin said of Graham. “She is a kind and sweet lady, and we appreciate all her help.”

Arpin – with the assistance of Stonzione and Briggs – presented Graham with a special bouquet of flowers.

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