Throughout the year, AgeSpan depends on hundreds of dedicated volunteers to help deliver the programs and services it offers. Volunteers play a vital role in delivering AgeSpan’s mission to support older adults and their families. To honor and celebrate these everyday heroes, AgeSpan held a Volunteer Appreciation Open House on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at its headquarters in Lawrence.
This special event, hosted by AgeSpan leadership and staff, was an opportunity for volunteers to come together to celebrate the many ways they help older adults in the community. It was also a chance to say thank you.
Volunteers share their time and talents across many AgeSpan program areas, including Meals on Wheels, SHINE, Senior Medicare Patrol, Ombudsman, Mobile Market, Friendly Visitor and more. These volunteers make it possible for AgeSpan to reach more people and offer more programming than would otherwise be possible. During the event, AgeSpan Chief Executive Officer Joan Hatem-Roy pointed out that more than 450 volunteers dedicated 80,000 hours to serving the community in 2024.
“We know that our mission wouldn’t be what it is without each and every one of our volunteers,” Hatem-Roy said. “Your dedication, your passion, and your tireless efforts are the reasons we continue to make an even greater impact in the 28 communities we serve.”
Volunteers have played a key role in many AgeSpan programs and services across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore in the last year. The numbers speak for themselves:
- Volunteers helped in providing more than one million meals through the Meals on Wheels, Traveling Chef, and Congregate Dining programs.
- More than 12,000 individuals with disabilities in long-term care were connected to resources with the help of volunteers through the Ombudsman program.
- SHINE program volunteers helped more than 6,700 individuals navigate Medicare.
- More than 8,100 individuals were assisted by Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers who offered guidance and educated them about Medicare fraud.
- Volunteers assisted over 1,300 individuals through mobile market and local harvest food distributions.
- More than 200 older adults got help with budgeting, bill paying, and financial organization thanks to volunteers with the Money Management program.
Behind these numbers are meaningful connections and essential support, made possible thanks to the compassionate volunteers who choose to give their time and share their skills with AgeSpan.
“The work you do is not always seen, but it is always felt,” Hatem-Roy told the volunteers in attendance. “Whether it’s the smile you bring to someone’s face or the difference you make in the lives of those we serve, your contributions are invaluable. You are not just volunteers; you are partners, advocates, and ambassadors for our cause.”
AgeSpan is always looking for caring, compassionate individuals to join the ranks of its volunteers. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, visit the volunteer section of our website.
Click here to see photos from the Volunteer Appreciation Event.
