We are thrilled to announce that Jean Allbee has been honored with the Vermont Health Care Association’s (VHCA) Volunteer of the Year Award. The prestigious award was presented during a special ceremony on June 4th at the VHCA’s annual Conference and Trade Show in Stowe, Vermont.
Jean attended the ceremony accompanied by her daughter, Miriam, as well as members of the administrative and care teams at Valley Village Assisted Living. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the outstanding individuals who make a difference in Vermont’s long-term care facilities, with special recognition of Jean’s remarkable contributions to our community and her decades of devoted volunteer service.
Jean’s relationship with Valley Village spans over twenty years, beginning even before the facility was constructed. As a passionate advocate for senior care, she was part of the grassroots community group that envisioned the creation of Valley Village and served as a founding member of the Board of Directors for an impressive 16 years—the longest tenure of any founding board member.
Since the opening of the assisted living facility in 2007, Jean has been a steadfast presence. She has led the weekly Strong Bones exercise class for the past 18 years, helping residents stay active and connected. Beyond physical wellness, Jean enriches community life by interviewing staff and residents and writing heartfelt articles for the facility’s newsletters.
Jean is known for her tireless support of fundraising efforts, securing sponsorships from local businesses and lending her time and energy to event planning and execution. Her deep roots in the community—having grown up alongside many of our residents and with several family members having lived at Valley Village—give her volunteer work an authenticity and compassion that is truly special.
We are incredibly proud to see Jean’s extraordinary efforts recognized on a statewide level. Her leadership, kindness, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of our residents embody the very spirit of volunteerism. Congratulations, Jean, on this well-deserved honor!