In honor of Older Americans Month, 12 Lehigh County residents were honored 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, instead of the annual recognition ceremony, the honorees received plaques, certificates of recognition, balloons, flowers and yard sign delivered to their homes.

Barbara Ann Moyer, of South Whitehall Township, was one of the honorees selected as a recipient of the 2020 Unsung Heroes tribute.

According to her tribute, If you sing “Ba Ba Ba Ba Barbara Ann” to longtime volunteer Barbara Ann Moyer, you will see her break into a dance as she walks the hallways of the Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center, where she has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 30 years.

“She’s an amazing woman!” Joan Wickel, community life lead for Phoebe, Allentown said.

“She will go out of her way to do anything she can. She’s been that way throughout the 15 years I’ve known her.”

“Barbara Ann ‘s enthusiasm started well before she was an “official” volunteer, when she began visiting family members who lived in Phoebe in the early 1980s.

“Her mother-in-law, mother, and several of her aunts were all residents at the time. She used to visit those family members and then visit every resident of their Phoebe neighborhood, spreading cheer and sharing stories.

“Barbara Ann says, ‘I would bring my grandkids and we’d make a day of it! The residents and kids both loved it.

“The volunteer coordinator asked me, why don’t you sign up to be a volunteer? After all, you’re already doing it. You may as well get credit for it!’

“So began her dedication to Phoebe’s mission of ‘enriching the lives of seniors, their families, and the communities we serve.’

“Now an official volunteer, Barbara Ann continued visiting residents weekly and in 1988 became the vice president of the Phoebe Auxiliary.

“A former elementary school teacher, Barbara Ann used her leadership prowess to support the auxiliary president. Soon after, she was appointed president and the rest was history.

“During her 15-year tenure as president of the auxiliary, Barbara Ann supported Phoebe’s mission by facilitating auxiliary-supported programming and fundraisers. These initiatives included large-scale events like the annual peach festival which, during her leadership, was enjoyed by well over 1,000 residents, family members, and the greater community.”

Moyer also led the auxiliary charge in fundraising countless large-scale resident-enriching projects and capital improvements including a new Phoebe bus for transporting residents for field trips, and funding a much-needed sky walk connecting the health care center to the Miller Personal Care at 19th and Chew building.

“Today Barbara Ann continues to volunteer four days a week and every other Saturday, greeting visitors at the front lobby and waiting on customers in the gift shop, and singing at the Sunday worship service - and these are only her scheduled days! “She’s my go ­to gal,” Eileen Mihocko, volunteer coordinator and memory support coordinator for Phoebe Allentown said. “When I need a last-minute substitute, I can always call Barbara Ann. Ninety-five percent of the time she says yes. It’s impressive.”

“Barbara Ann is also known for her fashion flair. She’s always dressed to the nines,” Rachel Cavotta, marketing assistant for Phoebe Ministries said. “I love to see what she’s going to wear next.”

“Her desire to look nice is beyond superficial; she takes extraordinary pride in her professionalism and customer service.

“Working at the gift shop, it is common to hear her address each resident and staff member by name. She often knows her customers’ favorite item and will gladly be a personal shopper for residents who enjoy the extra care and kindness she gives to make their shopping experience a special event.

“Barbara Ann exemplifies the spirit of service and dedication as a volunteer that makes an Unsung Hero.”