South Shore, MA – November 5, 2026 – Welch Senior Living and The Village at Duxbury proudly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Duxbury Community Volunteer Awards on October 19, recognizing twelve outstanding individuals whose volunteerism and dedication continue to enrich the Duxbury community.
Established in 1996 by the late Rita Welch and her family, the awards reflect a longstanding commitment to community service that remains central to Welch Senior Living’s mission today. Inspired by her own recognition from the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Rita Welch created the awards to honor the countless individuals whose generosity, time, and talents make Duxbury a stronger community.
“For 30 years, these awards have represented something that was deeply important to Rita and continues to be a cornerstone of our organization: the belief that strong communities are built by people who care for one another,” said Paul Casale Sr., President and CEO of Welch Senior Living. “We are incredibly proud to carry forward her legacy, not only through the highest quality care and services we provide, but through our continued commitment to recognizing and supporting those who make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”
Held at The Village at Duxbury, this year’s celebration honored Kitsy Mayo, Chuck Dillon, Ed Wadsworth, Nancy Wadsworth, Sally Burke, Patricia Cook, Peter Andrew, Tara Downes, Graham Nelson, Frank Holden, Mike Herlihy, and Kevin Mullins.
State Senator Patrick O’Connor and State Representative Ken Sweezey joined the celebration to recognize the honorees for their outstanding contributions.
Welch Senior Living and The Village at Duxbury extend their appreciation to event co-sponsor The Duxbury Clipper and the Duxbury Community Volunteer Awards Advisory Committee for helping sustain this meaningful tradition for three decades, and for many more to come.
About Welch Senior Living
Welch Senior Living is a family-founded, Massachusetts-based senior living organization with more than 75 years of experience serving older adults and their families. Its communities offer a range of senior living options with a longstanding commitment to personalized care, meaningful connections, and community engagement.