Ed Barlow and Sarah Baker are the 2011 Man and Woman of the Year.
The two were recognized during the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center’s longstanding recognition ceremony held this past Saturday, April 21, at the Red Mill Inn in Baldwinsville. Since 1961, Baldwinsville has honored two extraordinary individuals annually for their volunteer efforts within the community.
Mark Dengler and Jacqueline Olmsted, the Man and Woman of the Year of 2010, introduced this year’s honorees, who were unaware of their nominations.
“She’s overflowing with passion and energy. She’s a visionary,” Dengler said about Baker prior to her recognition.
“He volunteers all day long, five days a week,” Olmsted said before announcing Barlow as the recipient.
Both recipients were honored by the recognition.
“I count myself blessed to be among you,” Baker gushed after receiving her award.
“I enjoy working with all the seniors. I’ve been their president for 12 years,” Barlow said during his acceptance speech. “I thank you very much for this award.”
The BVC also recognized another individual, post-mortem, presenting his family with a Memorial Tribute.
Tom McMahon served in various volunteer capacities throughout his life, most notably as a 50-year member of the Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church and as a 12-year driver for B’ville Express, said Executive Director Nancy Conley. Providing transportation to seniors with medical appointments, McMahon logged 10,246 miles (equivalent to 500 volunteer hours).
Conley said McMahon was nominated for the BVC award by his son, Steve, earlier this year, but passed away in March before he could be recognized.
“We want to thank Tom’s wife, Shirley, and his sons, Steve and Tim, who joined us here tonight,” she said during the presentation of the Memorial Tribute.
Overall, there was a nice turnout for the ceremony including 29 past recipients of the award including Evelyn Mercer who received the award back in 1971, a decade after the first awards were presented.
