March News from Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8

AAA8 Nominates Woodsfield Couple for Joined Hearts in Giving Award

First Lady Frances Strickland and the Ohio Department of Aging honored 31 couples for their dedication to marriage and volunteerism at the tenth annual Joined Hearts in Giving celebration, held in observance of Valentine's Day at the governor's residence in Columbus. Joined Hearts in Giving honors Ohioans at least 60 years old who have been married 40 years or longer and who share a commitment to volunteerism.

"Ohio is a better place because of the efforts of these great people," said Mrs. Strickland, the event's host. "Through the hours and hard work they volunteer, they embody all that makes this state exceptional."

"The devotion of these couples is truly heart-warming," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "Their commitment to each other and their passion to help others is a model we can all take to heart."

These special volunteers range in years married from 40 to 66, ages 62 to 90 and from 3 to 42 years of volunteering.

John & Darlene Quails of Woodsfield (Monroe County) were nominated by AAA8. They have been married more than 51 years. Darlene is an active volunteer at the Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she helps to organize church services for the residents. She also has organized opportunities for her church to support residents who may not have visitors. The Quails have been active with the First Baptist Church in Woodsfield for 51 years as volunteers and as various officers. They also have trained with the Ohio State Convention of Southern Baptists' Disaster Relief Team, helping those affected by natural disasters. Over the years, they have actively participated in a variety of church mission trips, which included cleaning, cooking, helping with soccer camps and tournaments, leading choirs, clowning ministries and leading services in nursing homes.

Also Honored...

Also honored (but not attending) were Dannie and Jane Devol of Logan. Married more than 55 years, Mr. and Mrs. Devol have devoted their lives to serving families in Hocking County. They help run the Smith Chapel Food Pantry, which serves more than 700 families a month. Jane runs the thrift store, which brings in most of the revenue to buy the food. Dannie handles the purchase and shipments of food goods. They devote many hours every day overseeing the operation. They have many volunteers who are grateful and happy to work with them because of their example. Many families in Hocking County would go hungry if it were not for Jane and Dannie.

Also honored (but not attending) were Dale and Betty Hedge of Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. Hedge have been married more than 59 years. They are active in the Farm Bureau and have invited many International Farm Youth Exchange students into their home. They are active members of the Hiramsburg Methodist Church, helping with church dinners, and they donated the milk for homemade ice cream when they had a dairy farm. Dale was a consultant for the local FFA chapter and is involved in the Freeland Valley Antique Tractor Club. He is an original member and now the president of the Noble County Service Club that raises funds for scholarships for Noble County youth. Betty was a 4-H advisor for 25 years and a township clerk for Brookfield Township for 30 years. She is a member of the Brookfield Homemakers Club and works at the Samaritan House and the Noble County tourism booth.