The 19th annual SilverLink Consulting Golden Years Gala will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 13, at Sullivan Hall, 7190 U.S. Highway 17 S. The Gala recognizes older adults for outstanding volunteer service in Clay County. This is a wonderful way to say, “Thank You!” by celebrating volunteers for their extraordinary efforts. The categories are as follows: Ernie Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award, Volunteer Man of the Year and Volunteer Woman of the Year. In addition to recognizing nine nominees —Mary Cobb, Edward L. Kelly, Sid Rooy, Connie Gladding, Darlene Heather, Nancy Stokes, Jay Heather, John Nelson and Kris Lesak —we will also be awarding the Shepherd’s Center Outstanding Service Award.  Breakfast will be served at 8:30a.m. There will be a live and silent auction and awards program. Tickets are $50 and can be ordered by calling (904) 269-5315. The event benefits the Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which provides education for older adults to improve their quality of life. The award-winning educational program focuses on health, wellness, art, information technology and history.

A listing of the nominees and the Shepherd’s Center’s Outstanding Service Award winner with a summary of their activities follows. The Shepherd’s Center is honored to tell these amazing volunteer stories and honor these older adults at the Golden Years Gala. Our hope is that you will be inspired by these stories to share your time and treasures with the community.

Ernie Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award

Mary Cobb

What is so inspiring about Mary is that she is willing to do anything. She recently turned 80 years old and says she will volunteer as long as her heart keeps beating. Mary is one of a few original volunteers for Waste Not Want Not since its inception in 1990. Waste Not Want Not is a food rescue, which now operates in 14 counties in Northeast Florida, rescuing nearly 2 million pounds of food in 2025 alone, serving 200,000 food insecure children, families, veterans and others in need of food.

You name it, Mary has done it! The only job at Waste Not that Mary has not done is drive the truck! No job is too small for Mary. She has been a devoted weekly volunteer at the Castle, where we sort rescued food to be sent to nonprofit partners in the community. If you multiply Mary’s four-hour weekly shift over the past 35 years that she has volunteered for us, she has volunteered for Waste Not alone for over 7200 hours, which would be 303 days straight!

Mary’s dry wit and huge heart for people are what stand out the most. Her quiet strength is an inspiration to everyone, as she never draws attention to herself, but instead is always focused on the needs of others. If Mary sees a need, she just does the job if she’s able. Whether she’s picking up donations from stores, returning milk crates to Publix, sorting food, collecting, washing and returning dirty linens at the Castle, doing yardwork, or collecting toiletries to give to the unhoused or to our troops abroad, you can always count on Mary to get the job done with a smile on her face.

Mary has dedicated her entire life to serving others, whether it be at Waste Not Want Not, or volunteering throughout Clay County at the Lion’s Club, Grace Episcopal Church, or donating blood for One Blood. In fact, Mary was the NUMBER ONE female blood donor in Clay County who donated the most blood. In addition, she was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr Beloved Community Award for her service and dedication at the MLK breakfast at the Senior Center in Green Cove Springs in 2014. She has also been a financial supporter of Waste Not and Grace Episcopal Church.

Mary is a graduate of Seminole High School in Sanford and Florida State University, with a degree in English Education. She moved to Orange Park in 1968 to teach at Orange Park Jr/Sr High, where she met her beloved (late) husband, Richard. Together, they raised their family here in Clay County and poured their lives into serving others. They were members of the Orange Park Lion’s Club for several decades, as well as Grace Episcopal Church, where Mary still actively serves as a Lesson Reader and Usher, and she is a Board Member of the Doctors Lake Estates Civic Club. Knowing Mary is truly an honor and a blessing.

Edward L. “Ed” Kelly

Ed Kelly has served on the Board of Directors of Challenge Enterprises of North Florida for 35 years, providing long-standing leadership, governance oversight, and legal guidance in support of the organization’s mission. In his role, he has helped shape policy, strengthen organizational stability, and advance programs that promote employment, independence, and inclusion for individuals with differing abilities.

Ed Kelly has had a profound and lasting positive impact through his unwavering commitment to Challenge Enterprises of North Florida and the broader nonprofit community. For 35 years, he has demonstrated exceptional dependability by consistently providing guidance, leadership and legal expertise to support the organization’s mission and long-term stability.  His steady presence and dedication have strengthened programs, empowered leadership, and improved outcomes for thousands of individuals and families across Northeast Florida.

Mr. Kelly’s volunteer service and community involvement have extended beyond Challenge Enterprises, including the following examples:  (i) he served for 25 years on the Board of Directors of the Buckner (Northeast Florida) Division of the Children’s Home Society (serving Duval, Clay and, Nassau Counties), including 16 years of service on the CHS State Board of Directors as the Division’s representative; (ii) he served as chair of the original Steering Committee that organized Quigley House in 1988, and then served as interim Board Chair for that agency in 1989; (iii) he was appointed as the Clay County representative to the Health and Human Services Board for District Four (Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau and Baker Counties), established in 1993, serving five years on that volunteer advisory board and received a Special Recognition award in 1997; and (iv)  he served six years on the Board of Directors of Hubbard House in Jacksonville, receiving the “Hands of Peace” award in 2005 for his service.  Ed Kelly is an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Clay County, including service as a ruling elder and in a number of leadership positions at Orange Park Presbyterian Church for over 30 years and, since 2008, he continues to serve in leadership capacities at First Presbyterian Church of Green Cove Springs and also for the Presbytery of St. Augustine, which governs 57 Presbyterian churches in Northeast Florida.

Mr. Kelly and his family have resided in Orange Park since 1974, and he is a partner at the law firm of Rogers Towers, P.A., in Jacksonville, joining that firm in 1997.

Sid Rooy

Sid Rooy currently serves as a volunteer, painting the Personal Energy Transportation (PET) mobility carts preparing them to be shipped out to one of 56 countries. Sid has been volunteering at PET since 2001. PET volunteers build hand cranked wooden carts for people in 3rd World countries who do not have use of their legs. PET produces approximately 800 carts each year, sent to 56 different countries and have given mobility free of charge to over 16,000 people without the use of their legs.

In his earlier years, Sid oversaw every aspect of cart production. He was a Lead Shop Coordinator and served on the PET Operation Leadership Team for many years. Sid also enjoys giving visitors to PET a tour and giving them the history of PET mobility carts. Sid not only leads by example but also is always looking out for the needs of others. Sid is 100 years young and still volunteers at least three mornings a week. He has always been referred to as the "Energizer Bunny".

In 2025, Sid had 300 volunteer hours working in cart production. Sid has been the best cheerleader and teacher, always willing to encourage and lend a hand. Sid has been a dependable volunteer for 25 years. Besides residents of Penney Farms that work at PET, snowbirds also head for Penney Farms to escape the cold winters and help build the carts. Sid, until last year, was responsible for ensuring the snowbirds who wanted to work had a place to stay while volunteering. Following Sid’s encouragement, some decided to stay and become permanent residents and volunteers. Sid also is an avid orchid grower and has beautiful orchids in the garden here at Penney Farms. He shares the beautiful flowers for those in the nursing home, assisted living facilities, and the Commons building.

Residents and friends seek out Sid for his wisdom and advice. He preaches occasionally at Penney Memorial Church and still sings in the choir! Sid leads Bible Study groups on campus, and has written many articles and books. Additionally, he leads discussion groups at Penney Retirement Community on various topics. He is a wonderful role model of never giving up!

At age 100, he is in charge of planning the annual talent show of Penney Retirement Community residents, which is an event that all residents look forward to each year.

In every activity Sid is involved in, he does so with enthusiasm, a pleasant smile on his face, his warmhearted outreach to everyone. Even at his age, he remembers names of those he has just met and asks questions to make the person feel welcome! But through all of this, Sid is a very humble servant and always available to others.

Woman of the Year

Connie Gladding

Connie is a veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years.  She learned to garden and treasure the flora and fauna differences around the world.  Connie and her husband moved to Clay County in 2006.  She built a consulting business focused on training, mentoring, and project management for information technology. In 2018, Connie retired and became actively involved as a volunteer serving the Clay County community.  She completed Master Gardener Volunteer training and has taught hundreds of Clay County residents both adults and children on how to protect our environment and care for plants, gardens, and landscapes.  She annually hosts at the Clay County Fair greeting attendees and answering their questions in the horticulture building.  

Connie is also an active volunteer for two county garden clubs, The Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library, and the Clay County Supervisory of elections as a poll worker.  She frequently serves as an officer and on the Board of Directors.  As the President of the Garden Club of Green Cove Springs, she advocated successfully for the city to become a Monarch City USA.  As such, the City partners with others to educate the public on the how to and the importance of gardening for butterflies.   She has helped create gardens at several county schools and win grants and awards to help offset costs. 

She enjoys meeting county residents, learning, and giving back to the community.  

Darlene Heather

Darlene has been a faithful and dedicated volunteer at Waste Not Want Not since her retirement from VyStar in 2020. She started out as a “Castle” volunteer packing food for partners for food distribution by fulfilling orders, taking initiative when necessary, managing intakes as well as surplus food. In 2023, Darlene became a Thursday team lead overseeing all Castle operations. Becky, one of the Thursday volunteers, described Darlene as someone with high values and a very strong work ethic.

In 2025, Waste Not Want Not rescued nearly 2 million pounds of food in Northeast Florida serving 200,000 children, families, veterans and seniors. Waste Not would not exist without the dedication of people like Darlene. Her commitment, integrity, generosity and loyalty are unmatched!

Darlene draws on her leadership skills from working in the corporate world for 25 years at VyStar and knows how to lead others with grace and humility. She is very well respected by her team, the Waste Not staff, as well as all of our partners. In addition to volunteering at Waste Not, Darlene uses her financial background at VyStar to help seniors prepare taxes through volunteering at United Way’s Real Sense Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Program (VITA).

Darlene is highly efficient, motivated, energetic, generous, and hard-working. Every Thursday, she brings a warm smile, great intelligence, and efficiency to the Thursday team and is well loved and greatly respected and appreciated by everyone at Waste Not Want Not.

Nancy Stokes

Nancy Stokes works with Young Life Clay County, where she serves on the Board that reaches 200+ families in Clay County. Additionally, she is a volunteer for our special needs ministry reaching 20-30 families.  Her work with Grace Anglican church reaches 350+ families, while her work with the Audubon Society cares for wildlife within her community of 600+ homes.  Her involvement with lineage societies, which are committed to historic preservation, benefits the entire community of Clay County, and with her leadership resulted in a historic marker being placed at Hibernia.

Young Life Capernaum focuses on Clay County youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  Without hesitation, Nancy began serving as an adult leader within this ministry, in addition to her role on the Young Life Board. She has become well equipped because of her servant’s heart to be a part of the Young Life Capernaum program with their twice monthly gatherings.  During that time, she has become an integral volunteer leader and mentor for the ministry.

Nancy also is a part of the Young Life Board where she works tirelessly to promote this ministry’s mission to introduce adolescents to Jesus and help them grow in their faith.   She has volunteered at local outreach initiatives and provided meals for events.  As part of her church's women's ministry, Nancy coordinates events including the annual women’s retreat and Advent Luncheon to help women connect within the church. Nancy also maintains the gardens around the church property and assists in pastoral care. 

Man of the Year

Jay Heather

Since his retirement in 2018 from Syneous Health where he served as Associate Director of Learning Management, Jay has been staying very active and giving back to Clay County.  As a skilled handyman, Jay has provided  "Castle" maintenance to keep operations running smoothly at Waste Not.  He even built a sidewalk to make food distribution easier and more efficient.  Jay can often be found changing locks, installing ceiling fans or managing a team to re-paint the building.

Waste Not Want Not was founded by a Navy wife in her garage in 1990 who did not want to see food going to waste.  Fast forward to 2025, Waste Not rescued nearly 2 million pounds of food serving 200,000 children, families and veterans in Clay, in addition to 13 other counties in Northeast Florida.  We could not do this incredible work without the hard work and dedication of people like Jay. 

In addition to volunteering at Waste Not and his church, Jay also co-directs weekly on building ramps for wheelchairs with James Boys. He has led a local mission service trip for the past 30+ years.

Jay is kind, hardworking, humble, loyal and committed to the mission of Waste Not, rescuing food throughout Northeast Florida to redistribute to over 80 partners who feed the hungry in our community.  He has a heart for service and helping anyone in need.  Jay is always out in the community working hard to make a difference in the lives of those in need, showing our leaders of tomorrow that putting their faith in action builds a better person and community.

John Nelson

At The Way, John is in charge of delivering weekly non-perishable food to the clinic.  He is also in charge of our landscaping and garden build out.

John deserves recognition of his outstanding dedication and service to our clinic. Each week, he generously donates his time to pick up non-perishable food items for our pantry, ensuring that our shelves stay stocked and our clients’ needs are met.

In addition to his ongoing support with the food pantry, he has also contributed greatly to the beauty and functionality of our clinic grounds. He regularly maintains our landscaping and took the initiative to design a thoughtful, sustainable plan for our garden. His leadership and hands-on work during the garden’s build-out and planting have transformed the space into a welcoming and productive area for all to enjoy.

His consistent kindness, reliability, and creativity make him an invaluable part of our team. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to our mission and the positive impact he continues to make each week.

Shepherd’s Center Volunteer of the Year

Kris Lesak

Kris Lesak was a schoolteacher for fifty years, teaching three year olds to college students, in both public and private schools. She always joked that she loved teaching so much that she would teach for free. Now she does, and she still loves it!

Kris has been an active member of the Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park (SCOOP) for 15 years, and she has been volunteering as an instructor at SCOOP for 14 of those years. She has taught a range of different classes, including Praying in Color, Fine Arts, Acrylic Painting, Watercolor Painting, Inspirational Discussions, Drawing with Colored Pencils, Living a Positive Life, and Art Studio. Her favorite class was about 10 years ago, when she offered “Kid Art for Seniors.” They did elementary school art projects, focusing on the process and letting go of expectations for the end product. It was a lot of fun!

Kris says the best part of volunteering at SCOOP is getting to know people and making some wonderful friends. Anyone who has taken a class with Kris – no matter what the topic - finds that it ends up in lively discussion and connection.

In 2025, Kris taught three classes per week at SCOOP, during all 4 of the quarterly terms. That's 100 classroom hours, not counting the hours she spent in preparation and lesson planning. Her enthusiasm for her subject matter and her concern for the people who join her classes are unmatched.

Kris Lesak is an important member and volunteer at the Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park. The Board of Directors is pleased to honor her dedication and commitment with the 2025 Shepherd’s Center Volunteer of the Year Award.