Lake County Council on Aging

(440) 205-8111
8520 East Ave, Mentor, OH 44060
9:00-4:30 Monday-Friday

Frances Prijatel

1997

Age is not a factor for Frances Prijatel. At 77 years old, Frances has recently been awarded her 20 volunteer pin by the Red Cross. She has held many different volunteer positions there, including her current role of Red Cross Coordinator. As a coordinator, she presents information about donating blood to community organizations and area high schools. She is also involved with other groups, including the KSKJ Lodge, the Slovenian Women’s Lodge, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Altar and Rosary Society, and senior groups.

Everyone Frances comes in contact with becomes a part of her extended family. Frequently she returns to designated bloodmobiles to visit with donors to hear about the important things that are happening in their lives. She feels it is important to know people from various walks of life and to learn to appreciate people’s differences. Frances tries to find something positive and good in each individual, and then helps him or her bring out this good in themselves. Her caring ways have a direct impact on everyone she comes in contact with.

Frances has also gotten many of her friends and family to become volunteers. Because she is so busy, the only way her friends can see her is to volunteer with her. She took seniors that didn’t have many goals in their lives after retirement and gave them something to do and to look forward to on a daily basis. She has enlisted the help of numerous volunteers without even asking them…they simply follow her good example.