AMESBURY — As a way of thanking volunteers for an estimated 8,700 hours of dedication, the Amesbury Council on Aging feted them in grand style during Wednesday’s annual luncheon at St. Andre Bessette Parish Hall.
“We would not be able to do all the amazing things we do without the help of our volunteers,” COA Program Director Andrew Suggs said.
More than 80 volunteers are involved with the COA, and the vast majority were in attendance for the meal held in their honor.
Festivities kicked off at 11 a.m. with a social scavenger hunt, with folks mingling throughout the hall as they looked to be the first to fill out their sheets.
At 11:40 a.m., COA Director Doreen Arnfield shared words of gratitude before lunch was served.
“Thank you all for collectively volunteering over 8,710 hours at the senior center and out in the community,” Arnfield said to the crowd.
Volunteers got stuffed on chicken piccata, rice pilaf, roast vegetables and buttered rolls with a trifle desert. Entertainment for the afternoon was provided by Phil Volonino, a comedy magician based out of Merrimac. The good times lasted roughly three hours with things wrapping up around 2 p.m.
Suggs explained what the social scavenger hunt was, explaining that folks had to get the signatures of individuals who fit a certain profile.
“Find two people who are reception, two people who drive for me, two people who work in the kitchen, so a bunch of the different facets of volunteers that we have and a good way for people to go around the room, meet each other and maybe put a face to the name,” Suggs said.
Donna Comeau, a volunteer greeter for the COA, said she loves being the first people see when they enter the senior center. She said it was exciting being able to get to know the folks better during the scavenger hunt.
“I knew the first names of most people but it’s interesting that it’s so informal and fun at the senior center that we didn’t know a lot of the last names, so we learned that today,” Comeau said.
Many first responders, including Police Chief Craig Bailey and Fire Chief Jim Nolan, were in attendance, and appeared quite popular during the scavenger hunt.
“I think my hand hurts right now from signing so many signatures. People coming up and wanting to introduce themselves to a first responder, it gets them to get up off their table to go and introduce themselves to a firefighter, a police officer, a paramedic, whoever,” Bailey said.
Bailey said the COA sets a great example with these types of event, and shared why he loves getting his officers involved.
“Getting our patrol officers to come and do something like this is what is getting them out of their patrol car, getting them to walk around, getting them to talk to people. And it’s not just coming into work, it’s coming into something like this and going out and actually engaging with the community,” Bailey said.