Some 40,000 hours of volunteer service to the archdiocese of Atlanta were acknowledged April 23 at a reception by Catholic Social Services honoring those who give their time freely in every capacity from secretaries in the downtown office to poker players at Marian Manor, the residence for senior citizens.

"Hall of Fame" recognition, given to volunteers who excel in some way, went this year to Mary Curran, a Cathedral of Christ the King parishioner who has volunteered one or two days a week as a secretary at CSS for the last two and a half years; and to Pete Baxter, Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioner and a volunteer at Marian Manor who visits the home two afternoons a week and assists in many ways, including serving as a Eucharistic minister and leading popular afternoon poker games. Both Mrs. Curran and Mr. Baxter had their names added to a plaque listing other outstanding volunteers from previous years.

Recognition was also given to William Rich, chairman of the board of directors of CSS, and to Beth Roach and Mayra Coira, two women who have worked for the past year at the newly-opened Athens CSS office, serving in the capacity of VISTA volunteers who receive only a small stipend in return for their services. The generosity of their service was recognized at the reception, held at the Catholic Center in Atlanta, and hosted by Father Jacob Bollmer, director of CSS, and Barbara Brulez, who oversees the work of the department's many volunteers. The two VISTA volunteers will both be returning to graduate school to complete training in social work.