Frank Ayala was named as the Junior Volunteer of the Year and Cathline Oliveira named as the Oak Valley Hospital District Volunteer of the Year in an appreciation celebration hosted on Wednesday, April 26.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the event was Brian Beck, Vice President of Human Resources for the hospital.

The Junior Volunteers organization has donated over 1,500 hours of service to the hospital this year, said Volunteers President Esther Nishikawa, and Ayala is a three-year volunteer at the facility.

“Honestly, I just love greeting the patients at the rehabilitation center,” Ayala, an Oakdale High School senior said of working at the Oak Valley Care Center. “I have a lot of good memories.”

Oliveira, meanwhile, works in the gift shop at the hospital and has been involved with the volunteer organization since 2015. She also serves as chair of the Ways & Means committee and has assisted with organizing and planning the hospital’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“Cathline in general has a very kind heart,” said Nishikawa. “Always willing to go the extra mile for others and always does it with a smile on her face and a positive attitude to go with it.”

Oliveira is from Escalon and balances her volunteer work with time spent at her family trucking business and ranch with husband Manuel, along with being a grandmother.

All volunteers were saluted for their service and special refreshments were prepared and served as well.