ORANGE PARK – Four senior citizens were honored Wednesday by the Shepherd’s Center for their volunteer work in Clay County.

Linda Grabowski (Lifetime Achievement Award), Mike Jorgensen (Shepherd’s Center Volunteer of the Year), Craig VanGundy (Volunteer Man of the Year) and Jill Pellegrin (Volunteer Woman of the Year) were honored during the Allegro Golden Years Gala at Club Continental.

“The Allegro Golden Years Gala highlights the spirit of volunteerism,” said Christy Fitzgerald, executive director of Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park. “The Seniors honored here [on Wednesday] give of their time, talents and treasure to make Clay County the wonderful place it is to live. When I read about all of their accomplishments and gifts, I truly am humbled. In a day and age, when it seems that everyone is out for themselves, these individuals are giving of themselves and caring for others, when they could be taking it easy around the house after a lifetime of work.

“The Shepherd’s Center is blessed to be a volunteer run organization, so it is wonderful that we, as an organization, can honor others that serve in our community.”

The Shepherd’s Center is a learning, activity, service, support and socializing center for Clay County seniors who are 55 and older.

The winners were:

Linda Grabowski, Life Time Achievement.

Linda clothes the needy of Clay County; children in crisis who have been victimized by others, children who were removed from their homes as a result of abuse, neglect or incarceration of their parents. As co-founder and executive Director of the non-profit Miriam’s Basket, Inc., Linda has created an entity in Clay County to serve this overlooked segment of our population. Miriam’s Basket is a small organization with a big task that requires tremendous effort, all completed by a totally volunteer team, including Linda. The hours expended are uncountable as she is responsible for the follow: procuring the facility rented, sharing the mission of Miriam’s Basket with community groups, sorting and laundering donations of clothing, donating unusable items to appropriate agencies, organizing clothing donations for easy access, shopping for needed items not in the inventory, fulfilling referral requests, and last but not least delivering completed bags to the referring agencies. Each child receives his or her items that have been selected especially for them in a colorful reusable tote bag. The child’s first name is put on the bag so they will know that everything is just for them. A caseworker who delivers the bags has told Linda the children are often overwhelmed with the “gift” of items; comparing the delivery to Christmas. The clients range in age from, two hours old to 19 years old. It is Linda’s goal to have a bag delivered to these children within 24 hours of receiving the request from the referring agency. She has never turned away a request, realizing that each referral represents an innocent child victimized by unfortunate circumstances far beyond his or her control. Innovation has been Linda’s specialty and she has developed creative fundraising techniques. With volunteers, Linda has led the group in sponsoring raffles and the annual Fall Fundraiser “Doin’ a Good Thing!” Linda is a servant, caring for the “least of them” as mandated in Matthew 25:31-40. “…I was shivering, and you gave me clothes…”

Mike Jorgensen, Shepherd’s Center Volunteer of the Year.

Mike Jorgensen has been a volunteer teacher at the Shepherd’s Center’s Adventure in Learning program since 2005. Often teaching 5 sessions a year. Mike’s Elder Law class is a favorite of SCOOP members, many of them repeating the class. During this time frame, Mike has touched the lives of over 800 Seniors in the community. The Elder Law class focuses on helping Seniors manage all of their legal matters, often focusing on real time events that affect Senior’s well-being, legally and financially. Mike is a graduate of the University of Florida, earning his Master of Laws degree in taxation in 1987. Mike is the managing partner of Senior Counsel located in Five Points. In 1996, he founded a legal clinic for the elderly in Jacksonville in part to teach law students about elder law. Mike is active in the legal and business community, having served on the executive council of the Florida Bar Tax Section and as a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Mike has chaired each of the Tax, Bankruptcy and Elder Law Sections of the Jacksonville Bar Association. In addition to volunteering at Adventures in Learning, Mike serves the Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville, Aging True, Friends of Elder Source, Gateway Community Services and Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Week in and out, Mike effortlessly fulfills SCOOP’s Mission of improving senior’s quality of life intellectually, physically and socially through his classes.

Craig VanGundy, Volunteer Man of the Year.

Craig, a lifelong member of Clay County, has demonstrated a heart for the down trodden and helpless throughout his life. Craig spent his early career as an Army Security Agent and agricultural agent. From his experiences he was able to use this knowledge and skill to teach both students and adults in low income areas here in Clay County to grow their own vegetables to increase their nutrition. He worked with the Clay 4-H Advisory Board for eight years and has helped at the Clay County Fair by setting up fair booths as well as serving as a judge in the Home Arts section of the Fair. He has served as a Future Farmer of America advisor in Wilkinson Junior and Senior highs and Middleburg High FFA alumni. Craig has served on the Advisory Committee for the Clay County Horticulture agent selection and as a Vice President of the Cattlemen’s Association. Craig has been instrumental in the success of the Soup Kitchen of Clay County, now known as Kitchen of Clay County. His most-outstanding accomplishment is his dedicated service as the director and coordinator of the Food Bridge of the Middleburg United Methodist Church which serves the needy with enough food to supplemental them for two weeks. During 2018, Craig supervised 125 volunteers who helped distribute over 493,141 pounds of food to over 641 Clay County families for a total of 22,437 people served. 2006 deliveries were made to families who were unable to get their own groceries. Craig supervises truck drivers 5 days a week who pick up food from local supermarkets and the Food Bank of Northeast Florida. Craig helps pack and deliver food each Friday during the school year for the PB&J Program (Back Packs and Jesus Program) that serves needy children at Middelburg elementary school. He also teaches Adult Bible studies and Sunday School classes, serves as a Stephens Minister, Lay Leader and serves on various church committees.

Jill Pellegrin, Volunteer Woman of the Year.

Jill is the President of the Friends of the Orange Park Library. She is a devoted volunteer. Last year alone, she provided funds for programming for story time, craft programs, special events and created bi-annual reading challenges which benefited 3,300 Orange Park Library patrons. The Summer Reading Program events at the Orange Park library provides to children are quadrupled because of the tireless fundraising and the resulting generosity of the Friends’ of the Library as a direct result of Jill’s commitment. Jill is present in the library every week; stocking the book store, training new volunteers and reviewing donations for the book store, book sales or to have the library review for possible addition to our collection. This helps the library have a more diverse and balanced collection. The Friends provide funds which allow the library to make book, DVD and audio purchases that would otherwise not be possible. This serves the entire community. The Orange Park Library was able to hold two “Reading Challenges” each year encouraging kids to read books, this event was sponsored by the Friends. Sometimes it’s just about fun. The library held a haunted house with many of the costumes and props provided by the Friends. Over 600 people attended with great reviews thanks to the organization and work that Jill Pellegrin put in.