Thursday, volunteers from the Senior Center of South Pearl River County were recognized for their community service during the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held at the senior center.

The center honored volunteers individually with a certificate.

“This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate all those volunteers,” the center’s Executive Director Darlene Adams said. “These volunteers all share generosity, understanding, empathy, compassion and patience with our seniors.”

Mae Foster was among one of the many volunteers recognized for her efforts in establishing the AARP tax aide at the center.

“I’m just really glad I can help people by doing this,” Foster said. “Back in 2009, there wasn’t anyone doing free taxes around here so we decided to provide that service ever since.”

Awards were also given out to two of the center’s biggest donors, The Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.

“The Knights of Columbus helped us fundraise for our events, kept us in their yearly budget and collaborated with our seniors in need,” Adams said. “While the ladies donated a large portion to our Adopt-A-Senior Snowflake, bought gift cards for seniors and assisted with our fundraisers.”

During lunch, the center’s Board President John Houston handed out certificates to various volunteers, including program instructors, who teach classes at the center, members of the community business advisory committee and those volunteers who work at the center.

Houston also presented the volunteer of the year award to Martha Kelly.

“We’re giving thanks today to those people who have done an outstanding job and have shown camaraderie,” Houston said. “I’d like to say thank you and we wouldn’t be here without you.”

The board of directors was also recognized during the luncheon. Adams handed out certificates to Debbie Bounds, Houston, Eddie Smith, Gladys Vaughn and Fred Davis.

Smith was also a recipient of the outstanding board of director award, while Houston received another award for program instructor.

“Houston’s been very instrumental to fund development here at the center,” Adams said. “He actually started out as a volunteer here and later began the wood carving class.”

After the certificates were awarded, Gladys Vaughn thanked the following people and organizations for the luncheon, including Brian and Darlene Adams, Patsy Carbonette, GFWC-MFWC Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune Members, Fred and Marie Davis, Darren and Tami Harris, Donald and Kathleen Penton, Plantation Properties, Dave and Connie Windham, Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus and Pearl River Central High School’s personal leadership class.