Pat Duggan-Leineweber, director of In-Home Services/Catholic Social Services, was recognized for her work with the elderly and the handicapped at the annual meeting of the Georgia Conference on Social Welfare.

She was one of two recipients of the Paid Staff Service Award for her successful development of In-Home Services from a pilot project begun three years ago.

Under her leadership, the project has expanded into a full-fledged program providing affordable, quality home-based care in metro Atlanta. Her ability to recruit and direct volunteers, utilize knowledge of community resources and fund-raising methods, were among reasons given for her success.

In nominating Mrs. Duggan-Leineweber for the award, Pam Buckmaster, interim executive director of Catholic Social Services, said, “The secret to her success is her willingness to go the extra mile and her ability to motivate others to do the same. Her contagious sense of humor enables both staff and those she serves to put things in perspective and enjoy life and laughter.”

Mrs. Duggan-Leineweber first volunteered at the age of 13 to help cancer patients and the chronically ill in a Catholic hospital. Later, she was caregiver for her mother and a handicapped aunt.

The Georgia Conference on Social Welfare is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to helping promote the best possible social welfare programs. Its members are both professional and lay people. The meeting was held March 4 and 5 at the Lanier Plaza.