In honor of Older Americans Month recently, 12 Lehigh County residents were recognized as part of the Lehigh County Aging and Adult Service’s 20th annual tribute to Unsung Heroes.

This tribute honors older adults in the Lehigh Valley who have displayed exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enrich the lives of others in the community.

The 2020 celebration looked a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the annual recognition ceremony, the honorees received plaques, certificates of recognition, balloons, flowers and yard signs delivered to their homes.

Area seniors recognized include Shirley J. Hendricks, of Upper Milford Township; Debra A. Mackin, of Lower Macungie Township; Frank J. Schlosser, of Upper Milford Township and Greg D. Williams, of Lower Macungie Township.

Shirley J. Hendricks

According to her tribute, between her volunteer work with both the Emmaus Public Library and the Friends of the Emmaus Public Library, Hendricks wears many hats.

Hendricks started out by joining the Friends of the Library first in February 2011, then started volunteering at the library in April 2014.

She works at the desk checking materials in and out and helping patrons with whatever they need. She also archives the newspapers every week, and she shelves materials or does whatever else is needed.

She likes to keep busy, so she can always find something to do, whether it’s helping a staff member with a project or just straightening up.

Hendricks even gives rides or delivers books to other volunteers when needed. She is professional, detail-oriented and a hard worker.

Hendricks joined the Friends in 2011 because her husband died the previous year and she needed something to fill her time.

This seemed like the perfect fit, since she had been in love with books since she was old enough to read.

Gradually, she took on some responsibility by helping with the annual book sale, the Friends’ fundraiser for the year.

Now Henricks also cashiers at the book sale and makes the deposits for the treasurer as funds come in from the annual renewal letter.

After some time, Hendricks decided to learn and get trained to work the check-out desk, something she truly enjoys because she meets people and helps them find books, get a library card, or whatever else they may need.

As a child, Hendricks went to the library frequently. She took library science for her English course when she was a senior in high school and also worked in the school library.

Her sister lives in Iowa and also works in a library, so when they get on the phone, they can spend three or four hours talking about “library stuff.”

Hendricks has two stepdaughters, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another one on the way. She enjoys spending time with them whenever possible.

She is also the secretary for her church council.

Debra A. Mackin

Mackin was nominated by the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown,

According to the club’s tribute, “The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown is delighted to nominate Mackin for the Lehigh County Aging & Adult Services Unsung Heroes 2020.

“Debra is a devoted advocate for the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.

“She currently serves as a Boys & Girls Club of Allentown board member and audit and finance committee member.

“Most importantly, for the past several years, Debra has helped students at Sheridan Elementary School during our after-school reading and math improvement program - Make Your M.A.R.K.™, which stands for Motivated Academically Ready Kids.

“When BGCA discovered that the 2020 theme for the Unsung Heroes Awards was “Make Your Mark,” we knew Debra was the perfect person to nominate for this special recognition.”

“BGCA’s Make Your M.A.R.K.™ program provides the extra help that kids need to improve their math and reading skills,” the tribute noted.

“Every Monday at 3:30 p.m., you will find Debra at Sheridan Elementary School working with our Make Your M.A.R.K.™ site director to ensure that our students have the ability to progress in school and in life.

“The self-confidence that our kids build throughout the school year is invaluable. Debra is an active participant in helping them reach their full potential and to ‘make their mark.’

“Debra shares her passion for Make Your M.A.R.K.™ with our board of directors and the community whenever the opportunity arises. In fact, since the program started 17 years ago, more than 4,000 students have completed the program.

“As with any program that relies on volunteers, Debra’s dedication and hard work is truly appreciated. Often times when first meeting Debra, new parents and other volunteers believe she is a staff person.

“Debra is an unsung hero in Allentown who takes pride in her service to our youth and their families.

“Thanks in large part to Debra, the results from our Make Your M.A.R.K.™ program demonstrate that a positive learning environment and adult guidance gives our students the tools they need to be confident in their ability to do their school work and therefore want to attend school.

“The long-term impact of Debra’s volunteer service at Make Your M.A.R.K.™ contributes to our youth graduating from high school on time. When students receive their high school diploma, they are on their way to ‘making their mark’ in our community.”

Frank J. Schlosser

Schlosser was nominated by the organization Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The text of his tribute from the group is as follows:

“At Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, we draw support from an outstanding group of volunteers.

“Some of these individuals distinguish themselves by displaying remarkable commitment and generosity toward others. Frank Schlosser is one of these exceptional people, demonstrating tremendous dedication, great leadership and a one-of-a-kind sense of humor.”

Schlosser began his adventures at Meals on Wheels in 2005, joining his wife Barbara to deliver meals.

Every Thursday for 10 years they delivered on the same route, bringing meals and much-needed friendship to clients in the Emmaus and Coopersburg areas.

“Motivated by a belief in taking care of others, they continued these deliveries, substituting additional days, even as Barbara underwent treatments for cancer,” the tribute continued.

“When Barbara passed away in 2016, Frank could have decided to stop volunteering. Instead, in his words, he found that ‘a difficult time was made easier the more I volunteered and helped others.’

Schlooser added a second weekly delivery route and became the first recipient of the organization’s “Lone Ranger” award, given to volunteers willing to do their routes solo and manage both driving and door-to-door delivery, according to the tribute.

“He also took on additional duties, picking up items from our office, arriving early at the pickup site to put out coolers, weekend packs, pet food and other ‘extras’ and assisting with distribution of frozen soups and holiday meals. All this helping adds up: Frank has contributed over 1,400 hours to Meals on Wheels.

“Frank’s commitment to our agency was put to the test when the Lehigh and Northampton Meals on Wheels programs were merged into one. Staffing changed, and we needed a volunteer to rely on as site leader at our largest pickup location. Frank came to our rescue, maintaining order and ensuring that all 32 routes left with the items needed to complete deliveries,” the tribute to Schlosser continued.

“Answering questions, resolving problems, making announcements and updating client notes and schedule assignments is no small accomplishment, especially since he is simultaneously wrangling over 60 volunteers, an experience that has been compared to herding cats! No matter the situation, Frank always uses his sense of humor to keep things positive.”

“What is no laughing matter is the number of delivery stops Frank has made - 6,820 and counting – and the number of meals he has handed out - over 13,600. This underscores Frank’s belief in ‘older people taking care of even older people…someday we’ll be one of them!’”

According to Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley staff, “At 81, Frank says his clients have become family and his own family plays an important role in his life. With five children, 11 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, we are grateful that Frank has the time and the energy to include Meals on Wheels as part of his extended family (along with his rescue cat Dolly and five chickens)!

“He is an indispensable part of our program, sharing love and laughter with people who are often isolated and alone. There is only one Frank, and we are honored to nominate him for this award; we can think of no one more deserving,” the tribute concluded.

Greg D. Williams

According to his tribute, Williams is just one of those folks who can’t sit still. Fortunately, for many years much of that excess energy has gone into public service.

Even as a young man, Williams was never afraid to step in and be an unsung hero in an emergency situation.

In 1986, he received the PPL Community Achievement Award.

He was visiting family members when Williams discovered there was a fire in the basement of their apartment complex. He alerted his family to call the fire department and worked to evacuate other residents, then worked at trying to extinguish the fire until the emergency services arrived on site.

Then in the 1980s he became involved in community service by helping to organize and participate in various fundraising activities for the Lehigh County Spina Bifida organization, which raises money for children stricken with the birth defect and also provides a community outreach program to council and mentor parents of those children.

During the early 1990s he participated in a neighborhood watch program in Allentown.

Since 2011, Williams has been an active member of the John Morrell Memorial Food Pantry board of directors. He was initially involved as a business consultant and most recently accepted a position as the financial director.

His activities included assisting to compile the required documents for submission to the IRS for tax exemption under the 501(c) 3 section of the tax code.

Williams is no stranger to physical work, however.

Williams lent his handyman skills to help with plumbing, electrical work and carpentry renovations at the pantry.

In 2012, Williams became involved with the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services, where he has been a valuable asset ever since.

His initial involvement was as a volunteer ombudsman, visiting various facilities to talk with their consumers and provide direction for any concerns or issues the consumers may have. Ombudsman also complete various investigations and submit their reports to the office of aging on behalf of the consumers.

Williams continues to devote time and talent to this valuable program.

In 2015 he also became a member of the advisory council for the agency.

The council is a forum for discussing various programs and laws that will impact seniors and consists of people with various backgrounds in the fields of elder care, law, facilities and services.

Williams has chaired the council for two years.