Diane Hollenbeck named Caregiver of the Year

Wahkiakum County resident Diane Hollenbeck was named Caregiver of the Year by the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington. This first time award was created to honor an individual in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum County who provides exemplary caregiving services to seniors.

Hollenbeck was honored for her many volunteer hours serving seniors, including transporting boxes of food to the community each week from Ilwaco. She also helps women get to doctor's appointments, obtain groceries, and on one occasion a clothes dryer. In particular, Hollenbeck was recognized for helping a gentleman who was living alone in the Westend. She delivered food to him for a year and a half, but one day she noticed that his items were still outside the door. She knocked loudly, and when he finally answered the door, she saw he was bleeding and confused. She took him to the hospital, where he was able to receive medical attention.

"With a compassionate heart, Diane discreetly and respectfully helps our most vulnerable seniors, those who are alone, and many times are forgotten and overlooked by society," the press release said.

Pictured are, front, l-r, Pearl Blackburn AAADSW Advisory Council Vice-Chair; Diane Hollenbeck, Senior Hero; Marianne Burkholder, AAADSW Advisory Council; Monica Budd, Director, Chamber of Commerce, and back, l-r Kathy Briggs, AAADSW Advisory Council; Wahkiakum County Sheriff Mark Howie, Mike Reardon, AAADSW Executive Director, and Cathlamet Mayor David Olson. Photo by Diana Zimmerman.