Staff photo / Hailey Rogenski Cornerstone Caregiving home health aide Lori Sprouse alongside Cornerstone Caregiving co-founder Michael Hillman, who is gifting her with a new 2020 Nissan Pathfinder for being named the national “Caregiver of the Year” by the agency.

BOARDMAN — Lori Sprouse has been caring for people for a long time and on Wednesday, she was rewarded for it.

Sprouse, who is a home health aide for Cornerstone Caregiving, a national company with around 130 locations, won its national “Caregiver of the Year” award. But that wasn’t it.

Along with being honored in a ceremony at the company’s Youngstown location, Sprouse was surprised with a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.

“I always knew they appreciated me but never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I would get an award and a car,” Sprouse said. “The car is really amazing because, like I’ve told them (co-workers), I just kept having car problems.”

Cornerstone Caregiving’s Youngstown Operational Director Morgan O’Brien and co-founder Michael Hillman presented Sprouse with the award.

“Lori defines who we are as Cornerstone Caregiving,” O’Brien said. “She is what we stand for as a company, she goes above and beyond every day.”

With over 130 locations in the United States, Hillman said the company has each office nominate a caregiver for the award and send in testimonials before choosing the final winner.

“They tell stories about all the different things they (the caregivers) do and their stories are unbelievable, just wonderful,” he said.

Sprouse, who is a mother of five children, ages 17, 15 and nine, along with 3-year-old twins, has been a caregiver for a long time, both privately, and with other agencies in the past. She said being honored for her hard work was special though.

“I’ve done this for a long time and the recognition is just out of this world,” she said. “I know I’m a good caregiver but I never thought I deserved something like this so, it’s really, really amazing.”

Her new car also will go a long way. Sprouse said she’s been having a lot of trouble recently and was on the verge of having to buy a new car. That has all changed now. “This has made all the difference in the world,” Sprouse said.

Sprouse added that caregiving has always come naturally to her. She said it seems like who ever she meets, they just like to talk to her.

“Ever since I was little I knew that taking care of people was what I needed to do,” she said.

She said this is what inspired her to get involved in caregiving.

“I just feel like it’s a calling,” Sprouse said. “I’ve always loved taking care of people. It makes me feel good. I can tell it makes them feel good so that’s what’s important. I just do it because I love it.”

hrogenski@tribtoday.com