NEWBURYPORT — Community members gathered together at the Senior/Community Center on Wednesday night to honor those dedicated to bettering those around them during the annual Generations of Giving awards ceremony.
“It went well,” event co-chair Deb Casey said. “We had four award recipients, and then we had another five people who were nominated who were also recognized and given medallions.”
A Yankee Homecoming tradition, the awards are a way of recognizing the volunteer efforts of local teens, young adults and adults who have contributed to the community. The awards first began years ago as a senior king and queen event where local senior citizens were recognized for their efforts in the community. But the event has morphed over time and now includes people of all ages.
Wednesday’s event, which began at 4 p.m., saw Stacey Brandon, Sue Coppinger, Sammy Kniker, and Bob Marciak receive awards.
Casey spoke a little about each of the recipients, beginning with Brandon.
“Stacey is the longtime head of the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library, and their membership has doubled since she took over,” Casey said.
Next she spoke about Coppinger, who she described as “a very active member of the local Lions Club.”
“She runs all the food drives they do,” Casey said. “She also is an advisor to the Newburyport High School Leos, which is the Lions Club junior group. And she coordinates the Thursday night meal at the Salvation Army. She spends a lot of hours volunteering at the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry.”
Moving to Kniker, she said he is a sophomore at Haverford College.
“For the last 10 years, he’s been a volunteer at Old South First Presbyterian Church, helping with their free meal on Sundays, with church maintenance, and any kind of food drives,” Casey said. “At age 12 he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Right now, he is in the Dominican Republic working with young people who have his diagnosis. He also does the same sort of thing with his peers.”
Finally she spoke about Marciak.
“Bob has been a volunteer at Our Neighbors’ Table for 18 years,” Casey said. “He has served on the board of directors there, and he also works at the markets and at the meals.”
Former event chair Paul Bushey said he was at the event Wednesday night and enjoys seeing members of the community receiving recognition for their service.
“It is a way to honor people that volunteer their time to make our lives better in Newburyport.
Casey spoke about why she thinks the event is important for the community.
“The sole purpose of life is to serve humanity,” Casey said. “These are people who give their time, their energy, their kindness, their love, and their compassion for people who need it. There are people whose lives are enriched because these volunteers are in their lives—whether it’s regarding food insecurity, health issues, or people who need transportation to medical appointments. I think our communities are very good at this. They see a need, and they set about to fill it, whatever it is.”