Elkhart County Woman Honored

On April 25, 2017, REAL Services held the 21st annual Age of Excellence Award Luncheon.  For 21 years, REAL Services has recognized some very remarkable “ordinary” people who have quietly supported their loved ones and their communities through daily acts of kindness, compassion and selflessness.  More than 800 people attended this year's event at the Century Center in South Bend.

In addition to an inspiring message from the keynote speaker, Joe Theismann, there were 8 awards given to individuals, businesses, and agency who make a difference in our community.  Kathy Turco of Elkhart County won this year’s Professional of the Year Award. 

Kathy has been a nurse for more than 30 years and extends her passion for helping people beyond the hospital walls.  She volunteers at the Center for Hope and Healing, teaches 2nd grade Sunday school, and leads the high school youth group at her church.  But it’s her longtime dedication to Catholic HEART Work Camp, in combination with her excellence as a Professional in the workplace, that has led to her winning the award.

Every summer, hundreds of students in grades 8 through 12, and their chaperones, participate in work camps across the country.  Each group divides into teams to assist area nonprofit organizations with things ranging from refurbishing homes with fresh paint and new flooring - to sorting food at a food pantry - or assembling donated playground equipment at a homeless shelter.

Kathy organizes Work Camps in Mishawaka every summer in addition to taking teens from her church to a Work Camp in another part of the country.  Since 2007, she has led 2,700 volunteers to work on the homes of more than 200 seniors in our community.  Under her leadership, these volunteers painted homes, built ramps, cleaned homes, cleared yards, and more - to  improve the lives of the elderly.  In total, she has led Work Camp volunteers to complete a total 21,499 hours of service working on the homes of seniors in our community.  

Kathy lives as a true "servant" and is dedicated to serving low income seniors in their homes and making a difference in our community.  Kathy is described as a person “who demonstrates extraordinary dedication to the mission and values in her daily work, professional life, and community contributions.”