{"id":70590,"date":"2019-06-27T15:19:34","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T19:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=70590"},"modified":"2019-06-27T15:19:34","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T19:19:34","slug":"muskoka-seniors-luncheon-thanks-volunteers-and-honours-donna-nairn-and-karen-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/muskoka-seniors-luncheon-thanks-volunteers-and-honours-donna-nairn-and-karen-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"Muskoka Seniors’ luncheon thanks volunteers and honours Donna Nairn and Karen Waters"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Muskoka Seniors’ annual luncheon is always about celebrating the volunteers and thanking them for the hundreds of hours of volunteer work they do to help seniors live in the community. This year’s event was extra special as the organization also said thank you, but not farewell, to Donna Nairn and Karen Waters, two staff members who have been with the organization for over 20 years.<\/p>\n

Muskoka Seniors<\/span><\/a> is a volunteer charitable organization that helps seniors live independently and at home for as long as possible. Their programs include drivers, friendly visitors, telephone volunteers, friendship luncheons, meals on wheels and even income tax returns. According to Executive Director Jenn Pfrimmer, this past year the organization had over 160 volunteers who contributed over 20,500 hours of service to help 760 clients.<\/p>\n

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The special day was celebrated with lunch, door prizes, musical entertainment and thank you speeches. Dignitaries MP Tony Clement, MPP Norm Miller and Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison were also on hand to celebrate the volunteers and offer thanks for the significant work they have done for the past 29 years to make a difference in people’s lives.<\/p>\n

A special tribute was given to Donna Nairn and Karen Waters who are stepping down after over 20 years at the helm of Muskoka Seniors. Board Chair Kevin Farthing thanked Donna and Karen for their tenacity, passion, dedication, vision and guidance and for leaving the organization in a solid position. Kevin also revealed that Donna and Karen aren’t saying goodbye to Muskoka Seniors. “We are very pleased to have them continue in their capacity as board members and of course as dedicated volunteers into the future,” Farthing told those in attendance.<\/p>\n

Manager and long-time colleague Sarah Caswell brought tears to many people’s eyes when she said in tribute to them, “Some people just seem to have a special gift for sharing their hearts in the most amazing ways. For them it\u2019s never about being noticed for their acts of kindness. It\u2019s simply a reflection of the generous spirit that guides them in everything they do. Karen and Donna you are both examples of this.”<\/p>\n

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Karen Waters (left) and Donna Nairn. “This is harder than we thought it would be,” Donna said.<\/p><\/div>\n

Some photo highlights ~<\/p>\n

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Diane Litchfield and Mary Ray Ward are welcomed by doormen for the day, Ron Nairn and Frank Jones<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t