KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Heartland Retired and Senior Volunteer Program recognizes its volunteers during its 39th annual banquet.
This is the first year the banquet was held Tuesday morning, and the theme was a Hawaiian luau. Northeast Regional Medical Center Chaplain Chad Earhart was the guest speaker.
The big awards went to Kirksville Manor Care Center for being the "Volunteer Station of the Year" and to Cleta Mahurin for volunteering with Heartland RSVP for 25 years. Kirksville Manor Care received award for recruiting the most volunteers. Cleta Mahurin said she began volunteering after she retired from JCPenney in 1986.
"Well, I'm just happy that I could make it to 25 years and I wish I could still make it more, " said Cleta Mahurin. "I like doing volunteer work. It's good for you and it's good for the people you help,...and I like to stay active-that's secret to getting old."
Heartland RSVP has around 300 volunteers serving the community. To join, you have to be 55 years of age and older and willing to give a few hours of your free time. Heartland RSVP Director Pat Selby said volunteering helps senior citizens keep active.
"Studies show that they need this interaction. If not, their health declines rapidly," said Selby.
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