Volunteers honored for service at anniversary celebration

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Contact E.A.R.S. Helpline, Emergency Assistance Referral Service, honored the volunteers who serve as crisis-line specialists and board members at a 30th anniversary celebration dinner held May 3 at Mary Mother of Hope Church.
Executive director Shirley Senko extended a welcome to those in attendance.
Singled out for recognition were past presidents of the organization and two of the nine founders of the helpline in Lawrence County, the Revs. Carl Sacherich and John W. Sloat. The two ministers entered into an agreement in 1970 with the Mental Health-Mental Retardation office to take training and be responsible for answering the phone one night each week.
Senko noted that it wasn't until April 29, 1976, that an all-out effort was made to recruit volunteers for a 24-hour helpline and the affiliation with Contact Teleminstries Inc. (Contact USA) was begun.
Entertainment was provided by James and Betty Stephenson.
Arrangements for the event were made by a committee composed of Andrea Bryant, Pat George, Karen Gish, Barbara Kuntz, Debbie Lynch, Mildred Ratvasky and Senko.
For information on the organization or how to become a crisis-line specialist, call Senko at (724) 658-5529, or visit the Web site, www.contactears.com.