Yvette Mancini, a 96-year-old volunteer from Fall River, was named the Massachusetts state winner of the prestigious  Salute to Senior Service Award at Bristol Elder Services (BES) on April 7m 2014, during National Volunteer Week. The award was presented by Home Instead Senior Care, a leading global home-care provider. The award recognizes older Americans at the state and national levels who positively impact their communities by volunteering their time and talents fifteen hours or more every month. Yvette says "I don't like to be idle, I am out every day, and volunteering is the best thing to do because I am helping someone. I feel good about it." At 96 years young, Yvette volunteers in her home, in her church, and in her community at large. Yvette has served on Bristol Elder Services' Board of Directors for two years and  leads a low impact, 40 minute exercise class twice each week in her apartment complex. In 2003 and 2004, Yvette was a contestant in the Miss Senior Sweetheart Pageant of America, a Fall River tradition since 1978 that attracts contestants from across the United States and the world, and was so impressed with the event that she began volunteering for the organization. Click here to see a video from the event. For more information about the award, contact Sailynn Doyle at 508-984-7900. (Bottom row photos courtesy of Trish Robertson)

(Top row, left) Sailynn Doyle, owner of the Home Instead office serving the Southcoast area, and Ashley St. Germain represent Home Instead Senior Care who are presenting the award. (Top row, center) Miss Senior Sweetheart staff member Len Kaplan talks with Senator Michael Rodrigues, Home Instead Community Relations Director Mary Louise Champagne, Debra Nichols, and Ashley St. Germain. (Top row, right) Yvette is greeted by State Representative Alan Silvia. (Middle row) Yvette greets Mary Louise Champagne and Barbara Parente. (Bottom row) Yvette is presented with her award by Sailynn Doyle and Bristol Elder Services Executive Director Nancy Munson, Representatives Carole Fiola and Alan Silvia, and Mayor William Flanagan.