PARIS – Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris hosted the annual volunteers award dinner on April 11 at its facility on High Street. The event was sponsored by the facility to honor more than 140 volunteers who have spent time with the residents over the past year. Collectively, 4,341 hours of volunteer time were logged. More than 70 volunteers were present at the dinner.

Named Volunteer of the Year, logging in for 515 hours was Joan Hebert of Auburn. Hebert has been a volunteer for almost eight years, since her husband was admitted to the facility. She has been involved with the Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee through her membership in the Frank Hulett VFW Post Auxiliary from Auburn. Logging in 481.75 hours in volunteer time was Joe Cooney, chairman for the advisory committee.

“Our facility is enriched by the gift of volunteer time. As a facility, we are able to offer our residents a vast selection of activities inside and outside of the home. When we say there have been over 4,000 logged as volunteer hours, this is what is recorded. These volunteers never fail to stop and visit, or to share a kind word with our residents, even if they are in the facility for another purpose. Each and every one of our volunteers contribute to a better life for our residents. They are all a fabulous addition to our regular activity staff,” states Pat Paar, activities supervisor at the facility.

A roast beef dinner, which had been prepared by the facility’s dietary department, was served. During dessert of warm pies and ice cream, presentations were awarded to each volunteer.

A coin purse with the MVH logo was given to each recipient with one purse holding a door prize of a gift certificate to Maurice Restaurant. The winner of the certificate was Joe Lomonte from American Legion Post No. 72 in South Paris.

A raffle was held at the conclusion of the evening for an Easter dinner basket. The winner of the basket was Sally Morse from Oxford.