LOGAN’S new senior ambassador George Skurka volunteers five days a week driving donors to Red Cross Australia Blood Service appointments and teaches reading and writing at Logan libraries.
He’s donated close to 200 litres of his own blood, saving more than 570 lives but doesn’t know why everyone’s making a fuss.
“There are people I know who have donated blood 500 times. Beside them, it doesn’t seem so much,” he said.
The Loganlea 68-year-old was named Logan’s Senior Ambassador for 2018 at the Logan Loves Seniors expo and gala concert at Logan Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, August 21.
Acting mayor Cherie Dalley said in a field of quality nominations, Mr Skurka’s was hard to go past.
“Literacy greatly improves one’s quality of life particularly for our large culturally and linguistically diverse community,” she said.
“And the gift of giving blood, and helping others do so, is truly giving the gift of life.
“George deserves his place among previous senior ambassadors and the thousands of Logan residents who devote their time to making our city great.”
Mr Skurka was nominated by his peers at Red Cross Australia. He volunteers as a driver at his local library at Marsden and teaches English to refuges at Logan Central, working at least five days week.
“Sometimes it runs to six,” he said.
“I get the odd call to drive people around on Saturdays. But they’re never big long days.”
Mr Skurka started volunteering in retirement.
“I remember being at home and thinking I can’t work and I can’t sit around here. I need to find something to do,” he said.
Logan Loves Seniors is an annual event which pays tribute to Logan’s 52,000 residents aged over 60.