PORT TOWNSEND — The state Council on Aging has awarded its 2015 Excellence in Action Award to the Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization of Port Townsend.
The award to the group, which is known as ECHHO, was presented Thursday during the annual meeting with Area Agency on Aging Advisory Councils in Tacoma.
The award is made annually to organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the well-being of seniors, the council said in a news release.
ECHHO, a nonprofit, works with volunteers and community organizations to provide transportation, chores, social support and medical equipment services to Jefferson County residents to help them continue to live independently.
Volunteers help people of all ages in the community but the majority of services are directed toward seniors.
“The median age of the folks we serve is 71 and more than 30 percent of the people ECHHO helps in any year are 80 and older,” said Ken Dane, executive director.
“That has pretty much been the case for 18 years.”
More than 300 volunteers have worked with the group, which at present has about 65 active drivers and office volunteers.
This year the group’s drivers are expected to make more than 1,000 trips in support of Jefferson County residents in need of help with transportation and will loan out nearly 2000 items of medical equipment, Dane said.
For more information, phone Dane at 360-379-3246.
