Senior Center Volunteer Banquet: Lehigh Acres Senior Center Volunteer Banquet Gold Lifetime Membership Cards were awarded to front, left to right, Herb Netter, Nancy Bartlett; back, left to right, Katie Sasse, Tom McCauley and Helena Drazez for their many hours and years of service. Photo by Joni Ferster

More than 100 guests turned out to the Lehigh Acres Senior Center Volunteer Banquet held recently at the Center on Plaza Drive.

A select 10 people were given lit candles and they spoke on how the Center and the volunteers light up their lives, said Theresa Perkins, the Center’s director.

They spoke of how many years they were members and volunteers. They talked about how the Center and membershad brought them happiness after losing a spouse.

Joni Ferster, a former director and now volunteer publicity person for The Center, said Perkins welcomed guests with her Volunteers Light Up the Center theme. The activities and friendships replaced the void they had in their life, volunteers said.

Instead of staying at home and working or watching TV, they enjoyed fun, activity and wonderful friends. Volunteers not only help activities in the center, but especially each other, the volunteers said.

Special Events Co-ordinator Nancy Bartlett, president of the board, added to the festivities with her dessert of brownies and ice cream, Ferster said. The buffet was provided by Haney’s Cafe. The tables and the stage were lit up by whitesparkling lights with centerpieces of light houses, Ferster said.

Those serving 50 hours or more received certificates and pins designed by Perkins. Leanore King, was the longest serving volunteer with 29 years since 1981. Other special awards included $15 gift certificates from Publix for the volunteers who worked 100 hours or more, Ferster said.

All volunteers received certificates and congratulations by the board of directors representing more than 31,000 hours served.

Gold Lifetime Membership Cards weregivento the volunteers who had put in so many hours or years in the Center.

Those who received Gold Cards were Catherine Sasse, Helene Drazez, Tom McGauley, Herb and Ann Netter, Nancy and Dick Bartlett, according to spokeswoman Joni Ferster. Many door prizes were given by several sponsors in Lehigh.

The Center’s secretarial staff is collecting volunteers and members emergency contact numbersin the event of an emergency or if one wouldbecome ill. Volunteers are needed for all phases of the Center’s 50 plus weekly events and special activities, Ferster said. If you would like to join, she says you should stop by the Center on Plaza Drive or call 369-5355 for more information about the activities.