A Turlock man who volunteers his time serving meals to the needy in Ceres and Keyes was named those honored as an “Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year.”
Each of the five supervisorial districts had an honoree and Jeff Lorenzi was honored in District 2.
Ceres is in District 5 where Newman volunteer RoseLee Hurst was honored.
Lorenzi learned in 2020 that United Samaritans Foundation needed meal delivery drivers because volunteers were lost during the pandemic. The need was great so Lorenzi started preparing meals and soon began driving a delivery meal truck in Ceres and Keyes making 14 stops and serving up to 325 meals each day.
“He is a hard worker, going above and beyond, in order to make sure the trucks are loaded and ready for distribution of meals,” said Michelle Allen who nominated Lorenzi. Allen also noted Lorenzi will jump in to make lunches, box up the food and even clean the kitchen without hesitation as needed. He is the ultimate “team player” according to Allen. She said his welcoming and friendly personality puts other volunteers and staff at ease.
Lorenzi and his wife of 30 years, Maria, have also volunteered with Turlock Together for over 17 years. Each December, the project delivers food boxes to those in need in Turlock. Lorenzi became a co-chair lead coordinator of volunteers seven years ago. He coordinates the collection, packing, and distribution of the annual Christmas food boxes.
Along with his work with Turlock Together and USF, Lorenzi has belonged to the Knights of Columbus at All Saints University Parish for over 15 years. As part of the group, he has participated in many fundraising events and community outreach projects.
“I continue to be in awe of the seniors who were selected; they truly are so giving,” said District 2 Supervisor Vito Chiesa. “Jeff fits that mold. His work with the United Samaritans Foundation is truly special, and makes the community a better place.”
Other Outstanding Senior Citizen Award winners include:
• RoseLee Hurst for District 5: Hurst has been the coordinator for the Wreaths Across America project since 2018 in Newman. The project follows along the mission of National Wreaths Across America Day each December to remember, honor, and teach about those who lost their lives serving the military and modeled after the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Hurst coordinates the ceremonies, donations, and a goal of laying 900 wreaths at the Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman annually. She was instrumental in the project landing in Newman. Hurst, a trustee for the Newman/Crows Landing School District since 2007, started the local Trunk or Treat event in Newman. Hurst has served the senior meals program in Newman making sure homebound seniors received delivered meals each week especially during the pandemic when senior meal sites closed.
• Jane Shaw for District 1: Shaw joined Health Aging Association’s Young at Heart strength training in 2017 and became a volunteer instructor within six months. She has remained a strong encourager for older adults who are interested in intervention shown to reduce the risk of falling through physical fitness designed for older adults. Shaw quickly transitioned from teaching in person classes to teaching online during the pandemic. She also previously instructed the Matter of Balance class for three years, which helps older adults increase their physical activity level and reduces their fear of falling through education;
• Raymond Nipper for District 3: Nipper served in the Army at Tripler Army Medical Center as a psychiatric technician from 1962 to 1965 and earned the rank of E5 Sergeant. He met his wife, Wendy, in Hawaii while serving, and they have been married for 56 years. Nipper supports the Society for disABILITIES by recycling medical equipment he purchases at estate and garage sales and delivers the items to the society’s loan closet. He served on the board and is a past president of the Howard Training Center (HTC) in Ceres, which focuses on training and tailored programs for adults with developmental disabilities. He received the Humanitarian Award for Humanitarian Service to Persons with Disabilities in 1992 for his support of the HTC and its food service training program. Nipper has donated over 16 gallons of blood to the Delta Blood Bank and American Red Cross beginning in the 1980s. In 2004, he began volunteering at the canteen and increased his service to two days a week during the pandemic.
• Jenny Kenoyer for District 4: Kenoyer’s photo can be found on the new Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority “S” bus named the “Jenny” in honor of her tireless dedication to transportation for older adults and individuals with disabilities since 2008. Kenoyer has been awarded the 2022 CalACT Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to public transportation as a decision maker and elected official in the advancement of public transportation. Kenoyer contributed to the consolidation of most of the Stanislaus County cities into one transit authority known as StanRTA to better serve those who need reliable transportation, especially older adults. She helped build the Bridges Program for door-to-door transportation for older adults and disabled individuals and advocated for two years for the program until it was established in 2010. Kenoyer has served as the chair of MOVE since helping to create the non-profit in 2020. MOVE assists seniors and disabled individuals with specialized transportation, bus travel training, rides for veterans to medical appointments, and free bus rides for low-income seniors.
