By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Anyone who has been to Medfield can agree that the town is home to some outstanding people. Each year, the Medfield Foundation’s (MFi) volunteer awards recognize some of the wonderful people in the community who put in the effort to make Medfield a better place to live. On April 8, one dozen of Medfield’s most dedicated volunteers were celebrated at the awards ceremony at the Center at the Heights.
“Really, it’s just an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to a whole bunch of people who are remarkable volunteers,” said Selectman Pete Peterson, who helped host the event.
In the past 10 years the awards have been held, nearly 250 Medfield community members have gotten involved, either by nominating someone or being nominated for the award.
Receiving lifetime achievement awards were Kim Agricola for her decades of work at the Medfield Animal Shelter to ensure that each animal in their shelter finds a loving home, and Chris Allan, who has spent more than 20 years as the sound engineer for town meeting and Medfield TV.
Tony Centore’s work with the Senior Housing Study, the Lions, the Board of health, and the Solid Waste Committee earned him the volunteer of the year award.
Also receiving volunteer of the year was Susan Holbrook, who has dedicated her time to the community through the United Church of Christ in Medfield and with Cradles to Crayons.
When the MFi awards began a decade ago, the Foundation received many nominations for children and teens. Thrilled that the community wanted to recognize youths’ work, the MFi created a youth category. This year’s recipient for the MFi’s youth award was Jack Morrill, who has helped set up the Millis library, gone on several mission trips around the globe with his church, and volunteers within Medfield Public Schools.
Also recognized for their work were Janie Boylan for her work with the Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE), the Girl Scouts, PTO, and the All Night Graduation Party; Tracey Rogers, who volunteers her time to the All Night Graduation Party; Renee Romanowski, who works with the Angel Run, MCPE, Script, the Medfield Food Cupboard, Pub Crawl for SMA, and the Neighbor Brigade; Liz Sandeman for her efforts with New England Donor Services, the Lions, Medfield Public Schools, Amelia’s Light, and the Hannah Adams Woman’s Club; Jill VanBrocklin and her work with the Medfield Animal Shelter; and Nancy Irwin, who helps run the Swap and volunteers with St. Edward’s meals, the prayer shawl ministry, and is an user coordinator.
These volunteers are not involved for the recognition, though.
“I don’t think anyone does it for an award like this or anything,” said Morrill. “If I’m just hanging out, I’ll try to help out. I do it for the personal connections.”
Mostly, they serve the town to pursue their passions and show their love for Medfield.
“As you know, there is only one Medfield in the whole world,” said Centore. “Did you realize that? Lucky for us, it’s our hometown. My contributions, along with the amazing efforts of the honorees here today and in years past, is a tribute to the special and unique place that is Medfield, 02052.”
