LAKEVILLE — Nearly 100 volunteers drove more than 17,000 miles to deliver more than 10,000 meals in 2024 for the Lakeville Council on Aging.

About 100 rides totaling nearly 6,000 miles were provided by volunteers to medical appointments.

These efforts and those of all center volunteers were honored at a volunteer appreciation luncheon held April 8 at Loon Pond Lodge.

State Rep. Norman Orrall was also in attendance, handing out letters of appreciation from his office, and also on behalf of State Sen. Michael Rodrigues.

Council on Aging Director Lori Fahey described the event as one of her favorites because volunteers are given their chance to shine. 

 “As the COA continues to grow in both attendance and programming, you are the reason we can sustain these services at such a high standard,’’ she said. “We appreciate your efforts more than you know and I want to thank you all for making our COA feel like a home away from home for all that walk through our doors.’’

She said she is “beyond proud of the number of volunteers at our COA. Your willingness to help at the drop of a hat is astounding.’’

Cheryl Walters, Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator for the COA, compared the effort to a beehive. 

“Just like the bees, our volunteers busily buzz around working as a team to help keep the COA running so smoothly, whether it’s delivering a meal, driving a senior to a medical appointment, assembling the newsletter, raising money for the COA, cleaning up after cafe, instructing a class, donating gifts for seniors’’ or in other ways. “It’s all work towards one common goal to ‘bee’ the difference in the lives of our seniors.’’