SAGE 2013 Sweethearts of the Year

Cocoa and John Catallo

SAGE Eldercare has named Cocoa and John Catallo as "Sweethearts of the Year" for 2013.  For the Springfield residents, volunteering at SAGE began ten years ago.

Cocoa Catallo began volunteering at SAGE for Meals On Wheels in June 2003. at the time, she was retiring from the Springfield Public Library, where she had worked for nearly twelve years. Her love of driving and helping people let her to reach out to SAGE, along with her friend Mary Cameron, another Springfield resident. As time passed, her husband John joined her on many of the weekly meal deliveries to Springfield and Mountainside.

During 2008, SAGE named Cocoa's Crew as the volunteers of the month. The group included Cocoa and her husband John, Charlie and Mary Cameron, Mary Jane Lynskey, and Mary Corbett. Cocoa and John have been a solid team during the past ten years of weekly meal deliveries on Wednesdays.

"We enjoy volunteering, especially at SAGE. Each year, we look forward to the volunteer luncheon and the staff is always appreciative of our help," noted Cocoa Catallo. "John and I hope to be able to deliver Meals On Wheels for years to come."

2011 Awards for Outstanding Service

These awards were presented at SAGE Eldercare's 58th Annual Meeting, which was held on July 11, 2012. 

The Agnes N. Badgley Award was created in 1989 to recognize the invaluable contributions of SAGE Eldercare's many volunteers  Mrs. Agnes Badgley was an active volunteer and President of he Board of Trustees who devoted many years of service to SAGE Eldercare.  Peter Daley of Summit was recognized as this year's recipient for his contributions to SAGE.

The Community Partner Award was initiated in 1996 to honor local individuals or business that generously share their expertise in support of SAGE Eldercare and older adults in the community.  Dr. Michele Elkins, a Geriatrician at Overlook Medical Center, was recognized as the 2011 recipient of this award.

Summit Fire Department was given the 2011 Good Neighbor Award by SAGE.  This award was initiated in 1996 to honor local organization that generously share their resources in support of SAGE Eldercare and older adults in the community. 

The Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year Award was created in 2005 to recognize ongoing volunteer involvement by local youth who have committed their time and service to SAGE Eldercare.  Julia Revzin, a resident of Summit and student at the University of Chicago, received this award for 2011.

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