Volunteers honored at senior center celebration

"Our Volunteers are SuperStars!" was the theme of the Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council (PTSCC) 24th annual Volunteer Recognition. Held Friday, April 24, the

PTSCC celebrated the achievements of over 300 volunteers at a reception at Embassy Suites in Schaumburg.

In an address to the volunteers, board first vice chair Mary Szuch said, "Last fiscal year, our volunteers donated over 19,400 hours of service, worth over $392,000. You are truly superstars!"

This year's special honorees were Hoffman Estates resident Sheila Schwartz, who received the Directors Award for her dedication in chairing the board, and for her success in recruiting board members and soliciting donations for special events. Additionally, Palatine resident Frank Szuchfor was honored for his dedication and resourcefulness in making the organization's gala a big success.

Other Palatine residents recognized were: Mike Thompson, Income Tax Award; Elizabeth Nolan, Friendly Visiting Award; Wayne and Ellen Takagishi, Escort Transportation Award; Jan Ahrensfeld, Adult Day Center Award; Ricardo and Sylvia Carranza, Hispanic Outreach Award; Fay Carpenter, Gift Shop and Library Assistant Award; Randy Thrasher, Special Recreation Award; Mary Tarbit, Home Delivered Meals Award; and Marie Cerny, Congregate Meals Award. Arlington Heights residents recognized were: Robert Baran, Phone-a-Friend Award; Walter Blake, Senior Health Insurance Program Award and Lev Gantman, Russian Outreach Award.