McIlvaine honored by Deaf Service Center
August 28th, 2008
By John Johnston
Managing Editor
A spry 88, volunteer Miriam McIlvaine recently was honored for 20 years of service at the Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County. Established in 1984, and with locations in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, the Center serves deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, along with families of such persons.
Center staff describe Miriam as a lively and cheerful 88 year-old ray of sunshine that starts “work” at the Center every Monday morning at 8 am.
Staff also refers to her “c” volunteer because she always brings chips, cookies, chocolates, candy, and sometimes cash.
“Miriam works all morning helping with data entry, filing, record revisions and anything else that needs to be done,” according to Joan Gindlesperger, Executive Director and Founder of the Deaf Service Center. Gindlesperger said that in her early years, McIlvaine kept all the volunteer records, interpreted statistics and numbers of service hours provided, etc., all by hand. Later, when computer technology became available, “Miriam was willing to learn and be trained, and became even more valuable to the Deaf Service Center,” Gindlesperger said.
The Deaf Service Center’s policy is to close for lunch every day for staff to enjoy a 30-minute break together. “On Monday mornings,” staff looks forward to not only working with Miriam but also for enjoying lunch with her because of her great sense of humor,” said Director of Development Linda Fee. Fee said McIlvaine’s stories about experiences with other volunteering activities, the numerous awards for volunteerism she has won, and her travel plans make her “great for the office and great for morale.”
Miriam started volunteering at the Deaf Service Center in August of 1988, and came to know about the Center through membership in the Quota Club of the Palm Beaches. Because of a personal hearing loss, Miriam also became a client, Fee said, “and has remained a devoted friend and volunteer ever since.”
“Now, at 88, Miriam is still going strong and is an integral part of the office,” Fee added. “Her contributions over the years have been invaluable to the Deaf Service Center.”
There are more than 174,000 people with hearing loss in Palm Beach County; of that number more than 14,000 are deaf. Deaf Center Services for those with hearing loss include the following:
· Provision of special amplified telephones, at no charge.
· A full-service audiology department that provides hearing tests, screenings and all levels of hearing aid technology.
· The Hearing Aid Bank,where clients meeting eligibility requirements can receive a free recycled hearing aid.
· Advocacy, which helps to protect the rights of deaf individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
· An information and referral service; plus other services.
Fee said the Deaf Service Center is a Town of Palm Beach United Way, Community Foundation of Palm Beach & Martin Counties, and United Way of Palm Beach County community partner.
| 
