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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Laws banning smoking, aggressive panhandling in downtown Ashland seem to be paying off ... Group pushes to expand Southern Oregon monument lands ... Jacksonville development upslope from former landfill will offer houses among vineyards ... Laws banning smoking, aggressive panhandling in downtown Ashland seem to be paying off ... Group pushes to expand Southern Oregon monument lands ... Jacksonville development upslope from former landfill will offer houses among vineyards ... COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD ACCESS volunteer receives Community Service Award Wright helps families, disabled people in need Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 5:53 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 5:53 PM » Social News Most people dread paperwork, but local volunteer Mary Wright is willing to tackle piles of forms if it means she can help low-income families, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Wright received Jackson County's Community Service Award Wednesday in recognition of her six years of volunteer work for the nonprofit organization ACCESS. She also volunteers for hospice, the Call-A-Ride program that provides transportation to seniors for medical appointments and the Meals on Wheels service that brings food to seniors and disabled people. A retired teacher, Wright does client sign-up and intake for ACCESS. She is one of the few people in the world who is happy to help people fill out paperwork so they can receive food, housing and energy-bill assistance, according to ACCESS. "I really feel our clients should be up here getting this award," Wright said. "I've learned so much from them, and ACCESS helps so many people who would fall through the cracks who are hard-working. They have a job but receive such low salaries that without our help, their food, their housing and their warmth would be greatly jeopardized." Wright credited her husband for tackling myriad household chores, freeing her up to volunteer more than 30 hours per week. Jackson County Commissioner Rick Dyer said ACCESS is one of the most active and effective nonprofit groups in the community. "When you stand out from that organization, obviously you're worthy of this award," he told Wright. Last year, ACCESS helped 6,395 households with energy assistance, plus 257 families with weatherization services. Among other help, it also aided 8,656 families with food and 989 families with rental assistance, according to ACCESS statistics. For more information, call 541-779-6691 or see www.accesshelps.org . ACCESS is located at 3630 Aviation Way, behind Costco in Medford. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 5:53 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501