The Huss Gallery at King Home was the setting for heartfelt expressions of gratitude, words of love, awards and a cappella songs from Northwestern University’s Treblemakers, as Senior Connections hosted its annual Appreciation Tea on April 27.
The antiques-lined gallery was filled with seniors from the program, nibbling on tea sandwiches, cookies and fruit alongside volunteers and guests, while students from St. Joan of Arc School served beverages. Since 1991 Senior Connections has recruited, trained and supported volunteers matched with homebound or isolated seniors within the Evanston community; the rich friendships that result benefit all volunteers. At the tea, several seniors’ expressed stories of movie dates, weekly manicures and learning how to use a computer with “their” volunteers had the audience in smiles.
Two volunteers were also honored at the tea. Glynis Doyle received the Wendy H. Klinkner Volunteer Leadership Award for her leadership in elder abuse prevention, her tireless work as a friendly visitor over the past 13 years and her contribution as a former board member and CPA for Senior Connections.
Wendi Kromash received the Alexander S. Butkus Award for her work as a volunteer and board member and for her leadership in developing marketing materials and writing grants for Senior Connections. The award is given annually to “the person who has done extraordinary work to promote the growth and sustainability of Senior Connections over the past year.”