Special to the Journal
Grace Walker was recently named the 2011 Lillian B. Allison Volunteer of the Year during Phoebe’s Volunteer Birthday Celebration and Recognition Dinner.
The event, held in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, honored 535 volunteers who had committed 61,008 hours of volunteer service during Phoebe’s 2010-11 Fiscal Year.
Mrs. Walker, who will be 94 this month, was born in raised in Albany and is the wife of the late Walter Walker. Before his death, she had worked at his side at Walker Cooling & Heating. She is the mother of two children and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. As a volunteer, she visits patients for the Golden Key Office or volunteering at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Volunteers were recognized for their years of dedication, spanning from fewer than five years to 47 years. It was also noted that this year volunteers donated funds to Children’s Miracle Network, Guest Relations, Hospitel, RSVP and Phoebe’s “Oh Sew” Special Sewing Projects, the RSVP Extra Mile Ramp Program, and Volunteer Services’ Shuttle Program.
During the event, volunteers received a visit from a surprise guest, Judge Francis F. Putney, portrayed by Eddie McCarty, as part of Phoebe’s Centennial Celebration.