09/29/2026
๐๐ผ๐๐ด๐น๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฉ๐ผ๐น๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ผ๐ป
Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress and Chris Boice were honored to join Douglas County Senior Services in recognizing and celebrating the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, and compassion to support seniors throughout Douglas County. The annual Douglas County Senior Volunteer Awards Recognition Luncheon was held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Wildlife Safari in Winston.
The luncheon recognized volunteers who serve through Douglas County Senior Servicesโ Senior Nutritional Services programs, which includes our Bistro Sixty congregate dining sites and Meals on Wheels programs in Sutherlin, Glendale, Winston, Glide, Yoncalla, and Riddle. These volunteers play an important role in ensuring seniors have access to nutritious meals while also providing connection, companionship, and a friendly face to those they serve. Douglas County Senior Services will host a separate awards recognition luncheon later this year for volunteers who serve through the Countyโs Reedsport-area Senior Nutritional Services programs.
Volunteers were treated to a special visit from Wildlife Safariโs Ambassador Cheetah, a delicious luncheon and complimentary train rides through the park. The afternoon provided an opportunity for volunteers to relax, connect with one another, and enjoy a well-deserved celebration of their service. Commissioner Tom Kress thanked the volunteers for their dedication and expressed his sincere appreciation for the tremendous impact they make through their service to Douglas County seniors. The luncheon also included a special awards presentation recognizing the contributions of volunteers and community partners. Site Appreciation Certificates were presented to volunteers in recognition of their service at their respective locations. Appreciation Certificates were also presented to S&B Foods for generously donating the luncheon, and to Wildlife Safari for its continued support and for consistently going above and beyond to help make the annual event a success.
This last year Douglas County Senior Nutritional Services Program served 82,155 meals to seniors through our seven congregate sites in Douglas County. Our volunteers donated a total of 14,586 hours of selfless service in 2025-26. Specifically, volunteering 862 hours in Glendale, 1,157 hours in Glide, 2,081 hours in Reedsport, 2,885 hours in Riddle, 4,925 hours in Sutherlin, 2,432 hours in Winston, and 244 hours in Yoncalla.
โWhen people think of Meals on Wheels and our lunch programs, they often focus entirely on the food. But as every volunteer knows, our mission is about so much more than nutrition. Itโs about combatting isolation, preserving independence, and providing peace of mind to families who know their loved ones are being checked on,โ stated commented Jeanne Wright, Douglas County Senior Services Director. โWe frequently receive notes from the clients expressing their gratitude. And we consistently hear: The meals are good, but the volunteers are exceptional! The volunteers are so friendly, and they are the reason I get up and get dressed each day. As you well know, you may be the only person they see that day or even in that week. The big smile and genuine conversations you share...you make a world of difference in their lives. Thank you all for the hundreds of hours of selfless service, your unwavering dedication and reliability, and, most importantly, the kindness, heart, and compassion you bring to this program.โ
For more information about programs for seniors and how you can sign up to volunteer in Douglas County visit Douglas County Senior Services at https://douglascountyor.gov/452/Senior-Services.
