Diane Dantos received the 2025 Altruism Award for helping to improve the quality of life at Presbyterian Village, Hollidaysburg. Initiated in 2023, PSL’s Altruism Award recognizes an individual or group who enhances the quality of life for others through volunteer work.
An area resident, Diane has been volunteering in the Presbyterian Village Personal Care neighborhood for four years.
“I will never forget the first time she called me about volunteering, “said Penny Rupeka, Community Life Director at the community and the person who nominated Diane. “It was in the middle of COVID, and I asked her to call me back in the middle of May 2021.
“Well, she did just that, and here we are four years later! She was the most grateful lady when I told her she would be able to help us.”
Diane volunteers in Personal Care every day, Monday through Friday. The minute she walks through the door in the morning, her focus in the residents. Diane provides activity programming every morning and does a variety of events: trivia, exercise groups, daily discussions and more.
And Diane isn’t afraid to help out in other ways either. If the dining team needs assistance in the morning, Diane is there to help in any way she can.
Penny notes that Diane is the most compassionate person she knows. “When she sees a resident struggling, she is always right there to help and to let the team know.
“When we have new residents move in, Diane is always there making them feel at home and inviting them to events.
“She is always reaching for the stars
when it comes to the residents.
Diane takes pride her her work daily
and it shows every day.”
“I wish we could have three more of Diane because she is such a wonderful volunteer.
“When I ask the residents about Diane, they will you the same thing … that she is such a wonderful friend. We don’t know what we would do without her.
“She has touched many people in the four years she has been here.”
Diane and the residents in Personal Care understand the connections that come with volunteering. A study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service revealed that older adults who volunteer at least 100 hours per year are able to obtain an active and independent lifestyle. They also experience longer life expectancy and fewer incidences of depression.
Ready to volunteer but not sure how to start? No worries, our “Volunteering and Health Benefits for Seniors,” share several ideas, including:
- Think about purpose
- Ask friends and family
- Connect online
- Be open to on-site training
Congratulations to Diane for this honor and to the other nominees for the Altruism Award from across Pennsylvania Senior Living’s communities:
- Ardis Shea, Cathedral Village
- Glen Meadows Quilters Group, Glen Meadows
- Thomas Ward, Green Ridge Village
- Gerhart Bassett, Kirkland Village
- Donna Grezlak, Pine Run Village
- Tom Engel, Presbyterian Home of Williamsport
- Jane Tredinnick, Quincy Village
- Leora Streams, St. Andrew’s Village
- The Garden Club, The Long Community
- Fred Crotchfelt, Ware Presbyterian Village
- Westminster Village Thrift Shop, Westminster Village Dover