BY LOU WHEELAND

Special to The Press

Lehigh County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services celebrated May 17 with its 23rd annual tribute to Unsung Heroes at Fellowship Community, Whitehall Township.

More than a dozen older individuals and one group were recognized for their time and talents to support others in their communities.

The presentations were made by Clayton Reed Jr., executive director of the Office of Aging and Adult Services, county Executive Phillips Armstrong and Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Aging Jason Kavulich.

According to information provided by the Office of Aging and Adult Services, Stella Yorkey, of South Whitehall Township, was one of 18 Lehigh County residents and a group of nine people honored.

This tribute, in honor of Older Americans Month, celebrates 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.

During this annual recognition ceremony, each honoree received a certificate from Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services, a certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, and citations from their local legislators.

They also received a book on the history of Lehigh County, an Unsung Hero pin, and Unsung Hero yard sign and flowers.

According to her tribute written by Anne Milne, Cedar View Senior Center manager:

“Stella Yorkey is everything you want in a volunteer. She is cheerful, happy to help, and always smiling.

“Stella has been coming to the Cedar View senior center for several years, and offered to help when she first came in.

“From the very start, she has been a positive force in the center and in the apartment building.

“She is willing to jump in at a moment’s notice, and will make sure she is available when you give her advanced notice as well. Her smile rubs off on you. It’s always there!

“Stella not only helps in the senior center, but helps her fellow residents when they need it.

“Anything from picking up lunch to helping with cellphones, to driving people wherever they need to be, Stella always makes the time for them. She volunteers her time with the Cedar View Senior Citizens Group, where she is currently the vice president, and organizes fundraisers for the group.

“Stella has been engaged in her community by volunteering in some capacity for almost 40 years.

“She has been involved in various VFW Ladies Auxiliary groups as an officer on the boards.

“She served as secretary of the Goodwill Fire Company for many years, and has even volunteered as a coach for her daughter’s softball team.

“Her positive attitude and the fact that she truly enjoys helping people make her an ideal volunteer and most definitely an Unsung Hero!”