Fallon senior receives state honor

Ginny Dugan of Fallon has been honored as Nevada’s Salute to Senior Service award winner.

Dugan, 67, was recognized for her dedicated community service, including her work at the Churchill County Senior Center. The program honors the contributions of adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours a month of volunteer service to their favorite causes.

Dugan was pleased to receive the award, while at the same time recognizing the service offered at the senior center is the result of a team effort by many volunteers.

“It is quite an honor to even be nominated, so to win the state award is a double honor,” Dugan said. “I would still like to acknowledge the many seniors who contribute their time and effort for other seniors. They make the senior center possible, and I’m just one of a group. So I am certainly honored to accept this award on their behalf.”

Dugan is instrumental in arranging activities for people at the Senior Center, including an AARP Driver Safety course that now is brought to Fallon from Reno each quarter. She publishes a six-page newsletter called “Senior News and Views” as part of her volunteer efforts. In addition, she serves as recorder for the Restore Our College Campus Committee (ROCCC) and is active with the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church group that prepares and serves meals for Fallon Daily Bread the fourth Monday each month.

As one of 50 state winners, Dugan earned $500 for her charity of choice, donated by the Home Instead Senior Care network and contest sponsor. Dugan also will have a spot on the Salute to Senior Service Wall of Fame on SalutetoSeniorService.com where her nomination story has been posted.

As a state winner, Dugan now will be considered for the national Salute to Senior Service award.

“Ginny represents so well the dedication and commitment that make senior volunteers such a value to their communities,” said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc. “She has proven once again that age is meaningless when it comes to making a difference. So many charities, nonprofit organizations and faith communities could not do the work they are doing without selfless volunteers such as Ginny.”

Dugan retired from WNC in July of 2011 after 21 years working as an administrative assistant. Her last position was as administrative assistant to Bus Scharmann, dean of the WNC Fallon Campus.