Minnetonka city worker receives award for calling seniors during pandemic

The pandemic has isolated many Minnesotans from their families and friends, especially seniors.

One worker at the city of Minnetonka has been picking up the phone to change that.

Sue Svec, with the city’s Senior Services Department, has been calling 150 seniors in Minnetonka once per month since last April.

The city of Minnetonka gave her an award for all her good work.

"It was exciting to hear my name and get these seniors recognized, you know," Svec said. "When you hear from a friend, it’s just another happy day, so it’s a pretty important phone call on both of our sides."

Svec’s phone calls with seniors last from a few minutes to over an hour.

She said she plans to keep calling seniors until they can return to events at the Minnetonka Community Center.