Northampton County’s 16th annual “Outstanding Senior Awards” program took place April 25 at Wesley United Methodist Church, Bethlehem, at which 12 older residents were honored for contributing their time and talents to the community.

Yolanda Braun, of Forks Township, has been a caregiver to her mother and husband for many years; helps cancer and organ transplant patients; was a Cub Scout Den Mother; was a volunteer at Muhlenberg Hospital; an Advocate for the Crime Victims Council; and Ambassador for Gift of Life organ donations.

Alfred Hendershot, of Pen Argyl, is a valued and active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Pen Argyl, where he has participated in numerous efforts for the last 40 years. He served terms on the congregation council, including several years as president. He has been the sexton maintaining the property for the past 10 years. As part of the outreach ministries, he packs up and delivers collected items each month to the Salvation Army. He has been a volunteer firefighter and fire police officer for Lookout Company 1 for more than 25 years.

Linda Hutnik, of Palmer Township, is a long-time volunteer at Gracedale. Through her employer’s program, Sam’s Club’s “Volunteerism Always Pays”, Gracedale received $8,000 in donations due to Linda’s efforts. She is also active in the social ministry at New Creations UCC and helps at Holy Ukrainian Church making pierogis.

Karl J. Miller, of Forks Township, has been actively involved in service his entire life. Karl served in Germany with the Army Engineers, helping to rebuild Germany after World War II. He was extremely active in scouting, was a Troop assistant Leader and a Cub Scout leader. He taught Sunday School, served as Congregational President and Elder. He was volunteer Chaplain at Easton Hospital and Forks Fire Department. He was a founder of the Forks Township Emergency Squad and co-founded the Forks Historical Society in 2001, where he was president for 10 years and now serves on the advisory board.

Thomas C. Miller, of Bethlehem, participated in the Senior Scholar Program at Muhlenberg College. He is credited with being the originator of the concept of the Northampton County Citizens Academy and is a graduate of this program. His volunteer activities include the boards of New Bethany Ministries and the Bethlehem Historic District Association, as well as volunteering at local hospitals. He volunteered with the St. Luke’s Hospital Pastoral Services; he also volunteered in the Lehigh Valley Health Network program NODA (No One Dies Alone).

Dolores Pohl, of Bethlehem Township, has volunteered her time and services to her church and community over the past 25 years. She volunteered in numerous areas at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and Church, along with many community efforts, including Octoberfest and Musikfest for many years. Her attitude and friendliness exemplify what it really means to be part of and to give back to those in the community.

Jean Pyatt, of Palmer Township, has been volunteering in many capacities since the 1970s. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels for 20 years, simultaneously volunteering with Suburban Rescue Squad in Palmer Township for over 30 years. She now volunteers at Warren Hospital in the Emergency Department, escorting patients to various departments or rooms as needed.

Ruth Reiter, of Nazareth, is diverse in her volunteering programs, with the underlying focus of assisting self-sufficiency. For many years, she delivered Meals on Wheels. Her interest in the support of education was proven by her work through ProJeCt of Easton She served the aging adult community through the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board.

Silas Rodenbach, of Williams Township, was nominated by the Saucon Valley Lions Club for his many years of volunteering in the community through the Lions Club, of which he has been a member for over 54 years and is very involved in all of their community projects. During the Korean War, he served in the DMZ in the army in South Korea. He joined the American Legion in 1960 and continues working with them today.

Anne Schweitzer, of Moore Township, has the stamina and sense of commitment to deliver meals to the homebound as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 32 years, since 1987. Now that spring is here, you can find Anne tending to her plants and flowers, keeping the borough of Bath beautiful.

INTERGENERATIONAL AWARDS

Paul Nagy, of Hellertown, coached Little League and basketball; was a founding member of Saucon Valley School District Fine Arts Committee; a 30-year blood donor, giving 10 gallons; is a member of the Saucon Valley Lions Club and was the first to form the High School Leo Club. Paul also plays Santa Claus for nonprofits.

Elaine Phillips, of Hanover Township, has volunteered at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg for 28+ years in different capacities. Her mentoring of the student volunteers has been her greatest success. She assists them in seeing through well-seasoned eyes filled with knowledge and compassion.

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