YOUNGSTOWN — If you search certain volunteers’ treasure chests, you will come up short of gold, though you will find an abundance of other intangible valuables, the leader of a senior citizens-based program contends.

“They hoist others up when the tide gets tough,” Jessica Sabin, the national services director with Access Family Services’ AmeriCorps Seniors programs, said. “Where others see obstacles, you see opportunities.”

Instead of gold or other conventional treasure, those who volunteer for such efforts are rich in compassion, care, the desire to reach beyond themselves for other people’s benefit, the time they donate, the hope they leave and the lives they touch and change for the better — all without expecting anything in return, she added.

Sabin made her remarks during a special annual gathering that the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent program hosted Friday at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave.

The luncheon, themed “We treasure our volunteers,” was to recognize, honor and express gratitude to those who take it upon themselves to help young people in need.

The program’s volunteers, all of whom are 55 and older, assist children identified as exceptional or at-risk and who face academic and social challenges. More specifically, they offer mentoring and tutoring to children in schools, shelters, youth organizations, Head Start programs and libraries, Sabin noted.

Last year, the foster grandparent volunteers served more than 14,000 hours performing such services that, if performed for profit, would have cost more than $500,000, she continued.

Fran Comstock, the Foster Grandparents’ coordinator, noted that the program has 16 volunteers who serve Mahoning, Trumbull and Geauga counties.

“All of my volunteers serve nonprofits with mentoring and tutoring, or with providing social and emotional support for the children in the community,” Comstock said.

Also at Thursday’s luncheon and recognition event was Paige Fortner, program manager with the Youngstown-based Senior Support Action Group, which is a parent company of the program.

The action group, which serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, delivers boxes of food and offers transportation to and from medical appointments and grocery stores. Additional services for seniors include a “phone pals” effort in which volunteers provide weekly phone companionship, she said.

In Columbiana County, the group recently launched an in-home friendship program in which volunteers spend a few hours per month with seniors in their residences, Fortner explained.

The Senior Support Action Group also is looking for additional volunteers. Those interested are asked to call 330-424-7877, ext. 2, Fortner added.

Also during the event, the volunteers were handed certificates of appreciation for their charitable work. They included Vivian Helmick of Middlefield, a retiree who also is a three-year volunteer.

“Once I retired, I couldn’t sit around doing nothing,” said Helmick, whose career in banking includes having worked 19 years in Middlefield Bank’s loan department.

Helmick volunteers in a kindergarten class in the Middlefield School District, as well as in the Burton Library’s children’s section, she said.

Regardless of the capacity in which they serve, perhaps the volunteers’ most priceless asset is their unselfishness, care and dedication, Sabin said.

“The volunteers are our treasure,” she added. “You stand tall and resolute.”