Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Volunteers, from left, Margie Groth, Dorothy Crosby and Faye Wahl were among the volunteers honored Tuesday during an ice cream social at the Carson City Senior Citizen Center. Crosby has volunteered 18,500 hours, Wahl, 12,700 and Groth 9,000.
As many hours as some of the volunteers have put in at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, you'd think they were doing it for the money.
But the rewards many of them have reaped have nothing to do with money - they've been rewards of the heart.
On Tuesday, volunteers were honored with an ice cream social - vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream with their choice of four toppings. They were encouraged to go for seconds.
"It's really good," said Dorothy Crosby, 84, who has accumulated 18,500 hours in her 18 years of volunteering. Crosby is the manager of the gift shop.
"It's great to see a smile on their faces (after helping a senior citizen)," said Margie Groth, who at 83 has volunteered 18 years at the center, totaling 9,000 hours.
"Everybody appreciates the center, I think."
Groth has worked the front desk, dining room, signed guests in for lunch and made change for them, and spent some time in the gift shop.
"It's rewarding and makes you feel better after you've helped them," she said.
Joe Coniglio, 96, was recognized as the oldest volunteer, and readily got off his chair to accept a certificate. Faye Wahl has volunteered more than 12,000 hours.
Age has nothing to do with most who volunteer. They enjoy the camaraderie and friendships developed over the years.
"The customers have become like family," said Crosby, who will be leaving at the end of the month.
"There comes a time when you have to take care of your family."
Volunteer Coordinator Ruben Hernandez gave high accolades to the seniors.
"I think they're great and doing a great job," Hernandez said. "I commend them for everything they do here.
"And I appreciate every one of them."
"They are the most dynamic, interesting group anyone can have," added Janice McIntosh, the center's director.
"We absolutely could not provide our mission without them."
McIntosh said there are 1,544 volunteers at the center, the gift store and thrift shop.
• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.