Congratulations Fausta Sawal from everyone here at Volunteers of America! 

We are thrilled that her extraordinary, every day efforts garnered such a high profile for Fausta, our very own King County Senior Companion, when she recently accepted the national 2007 ’Spirit of Service’ award from the Corporation for National and Community Service in Philadelphia.

Fausta was selected from over 16,000 other Senior Companion volunteers across the country to receive the national award in recognition of her accomplishments with Volunteers of America Senior Companion Program.  In her efforts, she helped dozens of seniors and adults with disabilties live longer, happier and more independent lives in their own homes.  She assists the program in other ways such as fundraising, as president of the Senior Companion Program Advisory Council, and as a leader of her group of Filipino Senior Companions.  She also volunteers with other community agencies in Seattle’s Asian community and has been recognized for her commitment to service.

"Fausta has gone above and beyond the call to serve her community and nation," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation.  "Not only does she give her own time and talents, but also she inspires others in the community to volunteer and give of themselves."

The ’Spirit of Service’ Awards pay tribute to the most outstanding participant in each of the Corporation’s programs.  Fausta was selected for the 2007 award because she exemplified the spirit of national service, demonstration of exceptional service and leadership, and served as a role model for others in her community.

More about our local celebrity and Senior Companion Fausta Sawal

Over the last 16 years as a Senior Companion, Fausta has helped dozens of King County seniors, and has quite literally been a lifesaver.  One client suffered a heart attack while they were together, and it was Fausta who placed the call to 911.  Another fainted on the street and Fausta assisted her to the emergency room.  A third fell from a bus, and Fausta took her to the hospital.

Sadly one day, it was Fausta who insisted that the apartment manager let her into a client’s apartment when she could not contact him.  They found that he had died.

And Fausta’s activities go beyond helping individual clients.  In addition to her presidency of the Senior Companion Program Advisory Council, she also assists with in-service meetings, trainings, recognition events, special events, client and volunteer recruitment and fundraising.  She has raised thousands of dollars for the program.

Outside Senior Companion Program, Fausta is involved with other community service agencies, including the International Drop-In Center, where she assists with nutrition and cultural events; and the Asian Counseling and Referral Service, where she helps the case managers, other volunteers and clients.  She lobbies to promote senior issues at the state capital, is past-president of the Asian Pacific Senior Alliance and is a member of the Filipino American Widows Association of Seattle.  This mother of eight, grandmother of 29, and great-grandmother of four, was chosen ’Mother of the Year’ in Seattle’s Asian community in 2004.

Fausta is truly an accomplished woman, and a true leader who has made an invaluable impact on the lives she has touched.  Her inspiration is sure to be felt far into the future.