Eagle View Adult Center recently presented Red Sweaters Awards to three individuals chosen as “Outstanding Volunteers of the Year:” Phonia Diedtrich, Josie Villalva and Betty Lou West.

Three volunteers have received this prestigious award each year since 1996. This year’s awards were announced during the center’s annual volunteer recognition event, titled “We'd Be a Zoo Without You,” which was held on April 24.

Volunteers perform a wide variety of jobs at Eagle View and the surrounding Brighton community. The center has 115 active volunteers who recorded 5,100 hours of service in 2023.

Phonia Diedtrich

Diedtrich began volunteering with Eagle View in 2012. She currently works with the lunch program pouring beverages and serving meals. She also helps with bingo, has served in the dining room for special events, and assists in bridge when needed. Diedtrich also helps with the mailing of Eagle View’s newsletter every other month.

Josie Villalva

Villalva has been volunteering with Eagle View since 2013. She volunteers every Monday with the center’s lunch program, where she serves food, runs the dishwasher and visits with guests at lunch.  She also helps with special events such as the spaghetti luncheon and craft fair. One of the nomination forms stated, “She is always there every Monday in the kitchen, always performs her duties efficiently and is always friendly and willing to help.”

Betty Lou West

West, a retired teacher, has been volunteering with Eagle View’s pen pal program since 2003. The program started with South Elementary in 1991 and has worked with 2nd graders, 5th graders and high school students. West has always been willing to work with any student, regardless of ability. She also volunteers to bake cakes for special events. The individual who nominated West described her as “extremely caring and is a very positive force in her community.”