Older volunteers in Northeast Georgia donated the equivalent of $373,000 in time to various community activities through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in fiscal year 2006.

The volunteers from Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Towns, Union and White counties were honored Wednesday at a luncheon at the Gainesville Civic Center.

"You are here today because you give of yourself," said Pat Freeman of Legacy Link, which sponsors the RSVP program. "We wouldn’t have people with a cheery word, and maybe the only words that some people hear, if it weren’t for you."

Freeman was referring to the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers meals on weekdays for homebound residents.

She said that volunteers have assisted with other tasks, such as helping seniors wade through the red tape of signing up for Medicare.

Dorothy Hughes of Union County was honored as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year for the region. Hughes donated 889 hours at the Union County Senior Center, where she is known for her sewing abilities.

The Union County RSVP program was cited as the best in 2007.

The RSVP program has 496 volunteers who serve in various capacities in the 10-county area.