For 12 years, one woman has given her time and expertise to help island seniors sign up for health care.

The Orcas Senior Center and the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program are honoring Pegi Groundwater, the volunteer coordinator of SHIBA in San Juan County, with the inaugural John Russell, R.N. Award.

Offered by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commission for the past 45 years, SHIBA has provided free, unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling. Nearly 200 volunteers serve approximately 40,000 people yearly, donating more than 30,000 hours of community service through organizations like the Orcas Senior Center.

“I am still in shock they are giving it to me,” said Groundwater, an Orcas resident. “There are so many people who do so much in the program. That said, I am thrilled. These programs are important to me, and I’ve worked hard on them for many years.”

The award was created in honor of Seattle resident John Russell, who volunteered with SHIBA for many years before his death in September 2023. Russell championed exceptional service, leadership and a commitment to community and envisioned “doing more and doing better through collaboration.”

Groundwater will be recognized by colleagues and special guests, including Russell’s wife, Joanne Stipp Hudson, and SHIBA Program Manager Tim Smolen, during a ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center. All are invited to enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres, wine and dessert.

According to Smolen, Groundwater was selected for this honor because “she embodies all the very best qualities of a volunteer and community leader, exemplifying the values we cherished in John.”

In San Juan County, Groundwater has played a vital role as a volunteer advisor, helping hundreds of individuals navigate their health care options. She later stepped into her current position where she recruits, trains and mentors SHIBA volunteer advisors, promotes the program throughout San Juan County and coordinates efforts with like-minded organizations to ensure seniors are well-informed, independent and treated with dignity.

“Pegi has been an intelligent, compassionate champion helping people navigate Medicare for many years and hundreds — thousands? — of hours,” said San Juan County Human Services Manager Jami Mitchell. “Her volunteer efforts have supported innumerable people facing the complex Medicare system. I am so grateful for her dedication as a volunteer and I celebrate this well-deserved award recognizing Pegi’s enormous contribution to our community.”

SHIBA’s busiest time of year is right now, as Medicare open enrollment is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage to take effect on Jan. 1. SHIBA volunteers are available on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan to provide information on what will be different for this year. Call 360-376-5892 or email shibasjco@yahoo.com to schedule a counseling session. All are invited to a free presentation about open enrollment on Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Orcas Senior Center.

“It’s surprised me how much things change yearly,” Groundwater said. “I wish more people would use our resources. We are free and confidential. Those who come in often don’t have any idea about what to do. Sometimes, they bring in a grocery bag full of papers, and we go through it all, or someone has a spouse who did everything but they recently died. People have broken down in tears after we give them help.”

In her nearly two decades of volunteer work, Groundwater remains passionate about giving seniors knowledge to “make informed decisions.”

“I used to be a corporate lawyer, so I joke that now I am building up karma,” laughed Groundwater.