WOODSTOCK—On Monday, Sept. 26, Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living presented local resident James “Mac” McClelland with the annual Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living Senior Service award. The award recognizes an area senior for making a difference in the lives of others through volunteerism.
For the past eight years, McClelland has served the patrons of the Norman Williams Public Library as a volunteer, helping in various capacities repairing and repurposing books and assisting with the annual literary festival, Bookstock. He said that it’s been a joyful process to meet people, talk about the types of books they like to read, spend time with the many volunteers and see the local youth grow and even become volunteers themselves.
The Norman Williams Public Library also was recognized for its commitment to providing access to literature and information to people of all ages and supporting lifelong learning for all. The Norman Williams Public Library and McClelland were each awarded a $500 gift from Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living during the special ceremony held at Woodstock Terrace.
“It’s a privilege to receive such recognition from Woodstock Terrace,” said McClelland. “I have to say, I was very surprised to learn about this honor. I’m happiest when I’m behind the scenes and can see the library and others receive recognition, it’s not something I’m after. I’ve greatly enjoyed my time here at at the library and the ability to meet people and talk about the types of books they read. It’s been my privilege to spend time with many great volunteers and see a lot of the local youth grow and even become volunteers themselves. My assistant Nathan has been volunteering since he was 12 years old, and now at 18, it’s a joy to see the great young man he has become. For me, it has been a joyful process to do something good for the library and our town.”
“Mac is one of those incredible people who are willing to do anything for anyone and expect nothing in return,” said Amy Sadkin, executive director of the Norman Williams Public Library. “He is a model for what it means to give selflessly and put others first.”
“We’re privileged to recognize an individual like James “Mac” McClelland, who is so dedicated to providing services that focus on the mental and developmental wellbeing of seniors and others in our community,” said Eric Fritz, executive director of Woodstock Terrace. “Mac and the volunteers and staff at The Norman Williams Public Library are an inspiration for their commitment to improving the lives of people in the local Woodstock community through learning.”
According to McClelland, many of the library’s services wouldn’t be possible without the seniors in the local community. “Our community is largely made up of a senior population,” said McClelland. “At 72, and a senior myself, I think that it’s wonderful to see how much pride seniors take in giving back and making a lot of what we do here at the library possible. I think it’s safe to say the library wouldn’t run without the seniors in our community.”
James “Mac” McClelland and Eric Fritz, executive director of Woodstock Terrace, from yesterday’s senior service award ceremony at the community
