05/21/2026
Last Friday evening, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion volunteers came together to celebrate another successful year of their service. What an amazing group these volunteers are and we are certainly honored to have the dedication, compassion, and devotion they have for these programs and the children and adults they serve.
This year was a special year for the Senior Companion Program. EightCAP has hosted this wonderful program for 25 years and we still have the very first volunteer, Helen Chappell, who enrolled into this program 25 years ago. Helen wore the tiara with pride. We also have a Foster Grandparent, Joan Tobias, who is celebrating 27 years this year. Amazing women!
Honored guest, other than the volunteers, were Rose Jones who was the very first Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Project Director. She was instrumental in bringing the Senior Companion Program into fruition. Rose was joined by Teresa Kruzkowski who was the third Volunteer Coordinator for the program. Unfortunately, Donna Wyczesany, the first Volunteer Coordinator could not attend and was missed. The Senior Companion Program has had three Project Directors; Rose Jones, Lori Johnson and Stephanie Rockafellow. It has also had three Volunteer Coordinators; Donna Wyczesany, Tammie Dann and Teresa Kruzkowski with Tammie returning in 2018.
We were fortunate to have Judy Emmons, a representative for State Representative Pat Outman and Fletcher Wernholm from Congressman John Moolenaar's office join us and hand out certificates to each volunteer. Their support for the programs has been on-going for many years, and we appreciate their continued support and kindness to the volunteers.
It was a wonderful evening, and we couldn't be happier or prouder with the group of volunteers we have throughout four counties. They are gems who can make a child or adult's day shine like a diamond. Thank you, Volunteers, for everything you do to make a difference in this world! Your kindness does not go unnoticed!
