Arlene Girton to Receive Volunteer of the Year Award

TOPEKA – LeadingAge Kansas will honor Arlene Girton with the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award for her tireless work with residents at Pine Village in Moundridge, KS. The award will be presented to Girton as part of the Association’s Quality First Awards of Excellence program during their Policy and Leadership Conference on September 27, 2016 in Junction City, KS.

This award is presented to a LeadingAge Kansas member’s volunteer whose achievements have made a difference to the lives of the people working and living in member organizations.

Arlene is a selfless volunteer spending 7 days a week with residents in the healthcare center at Pine Village. She began visiting the residents after her husband passed away in 2013. She was new to the area when the two moved to Moundridge to be closer to their daughter. Once she understood the need of companionship that she could bring, visiting and volunteering at Pine Village became her vocation.

Arlene has touched many lives in the years since. According to Betty Krehbiel, wife of a resident Arlene visits, “[Arlene] is like a spiritual leader. She prays with [my husband], for him and for me. She can calm the spirit on those upset days that Ben has. She also empathizes with him, but also encourages him and he needs encouragement from someone other than me.”

Tasha Erb, a hands-on caregiver at Pine Village said, “Arlene knows the residents about as well as we do. Sometimes they share more with [her] and Arlene sees things differently than we do which proves to be a good combination when a resident is experiencing change”.

“We are proud to honor Arlene with this important award”, states Debra Zehr, LeadingAge Kansas president and CEO. “Arlene embodies the essence of caring that we all want for our family members.”

The LeadingAge Kansas Quality First Awards of Excellence has honored outstanding volunteers, caregivers and innovative aging services providers for 26 years through a partnership with Central National Bank.

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