Florence County senior volunteers recognized

By: Dwight Dana | SCNow
Published: March 19, 2010

FLORENCE — Four seniors were recognized during the annual Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Senior Citizens Association in Florence County luncheon Friday at the Leatherman Senior Center.

The Lively Longevity Award was presented to Mary Martha Gibson “in appreciation of your committed and dedicated service to the senior population in Florence County through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program.”

Gibson, 93, is the reigning Ms. Senior Citizen. She has volunteered through RSVP since 1999.

Florine Fitz snared the Valued Veteran Award, which was given in recognition of her 22 years of service to the senior population of Florence County through RSVP. Fitz is so dedicated that she volunteers at both Carolinas Hospital System and McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Marion “Pete” Dubose Jr. was the recipient of the Fanatic Freshman Award. Dubose had to be summoned from the help desk at the Leatherman Senior Center to claim his award..

“Mr. Dubose donates his services to SCA and the Leatherman Senior Center,” the award said. “He has been volunteering since June 2009 and had already accumulated over 200 hours.”

The Endless Energy Award went to Jaye Lynn Ellis, who volunteers her time at Carolinas Hospital System.

“Ms. Ellis has been volunteering through RSVP since May of 2007,” the award said. “Last year, Ms. Ellis donated 916 hours, an average of 76 hours per month.”

Florence City Councilman Bill Bradham spoke briefly. He said he has worked with seniors for a long time.

Bradham also read “A Volunteer’s Prayer” because he said it epitomizes volunteers.

The prayer reads: “I thank thee, Lord as a volunteer/ For the chance to serve another year./ And to give of myself in some small way/ To those not blessed as I each day./ My thanks for health and mind and soul/ To aid me toward my goal./ For eyes to see the good in all/ A hand before a fall./ For legs to go where the need is great/ Learning to love — forgetting to hate./ For ears to hear and heart to care/ When someone’s cross is hard to bear./ A smile to show my affection true/ With energy a plenty — the task to do./ And all I ask, dear Lord, if I may/ Is to serve you better day by day.”

Among those introduced during the program was Lilly Wing, the new Senior Citizens Association president. Linda Mitchell Johnson is the SCA director.