CANTON -- St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging and the St. Lawrence County Council of Senior Citizens recently announced the 2020 Senior Award Winners.

COVID-19 restrictions prevented the organizations from holding the annual awards ceremony to honor the winners during Older Americans Month, however three local seniors were recognized.

The 2020 Senior of the Year is James Shaw, Heuvelton.

Shawa and his wife share four children and eight grandchildren.

He was in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years from 1970-1976, and has worked on a dairy farm for 20 years before working for the Town of Oswegatchie for 20+ years.

Shaw has been a volunteer for 32 years participating in several groups to help his community. He has been an active member of the Lions Club since 1988. Shaw also participates in CHMC Diabetes Education classes and has been a trained civilian Diabetes Educator for almost 5 years.

He has been an active member of the First Baptist Church for decades, Salvation Army Volunteer and a life style coach. When asked why it is important to volunteer, James said, “There is a lot to volunteer for. It makes you feel good giving back to your own community.”

The 2020 Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen award goes to Henry Lutz of Gouverneur.

Lutz has spent his entire life caring for older adults; starting with his grandmother in junior high. Lutz spent many years working for EJ Noble Hospital in charge of maintenance.

He was the town supervisor of Fowler for years before moving on to be the head of maintenance at Pine Grove Apartments. Henry has been volunteering at the Gouverneur Nutrition Center for the past few years.

The staff and clients all love him. Lutz is always quick to lend a hand and help out however he can. He installs bathrooms, performs household repairs and fixes furnaces for his friends and neighbors - all out of the goodness of his heart. His peers describe him as compassionate and caring; a person who never complains with an “I can do it” attitude.

The 2020 Jacqueline Sears Volunteer Award is given to Linda Bouchey of DeKalb.

Bouchey was a longtime staff member of the Nutrition Program for the Office for the Aging. Clients state they always feel comfortable around Bouchey and appreciate how much she cares about them. She is always quick to provide a laugh and makes sure each resident’s birthday is celebrated.

Bouchey checks on clients over the weekends and helps however she can. She was nominated by her DeKalb clients to be recognized for her service and dedication.