NY.gov Portal State Agency Listing
New York State Banner
 
Find out about Empowering Communities
View Empowering
Communities Information




 



New York State
Senior Citizens’ Day
2010

For a copy of this program in PDF format.

EMPIRE STATE PLAZA
CONVENTION CENTER
Albany, New York
May 5, 2010
Livable New York:
Volunteers Helping to make
Better Communities

Mission Statement
It is the mission of the New York State Office for the Aging to help older New Yorkers to be as independent as possible through the advocacy, development and delivery of person-central, consumer-oriented and cost effective policies, programs and services which support and empower the elderly and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations which serve them.

The New York State Office for the Aging would like to acknowledge the efforts that made today’s event possible:

2010 Senior Citizens’ Day Ceremony
WELCOME
Michael J. Burgess, Director
New York State Office for the Aging
POSTING OF THE COLORS
New York State Police Honor Color Guard
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REMARKS/PRESENTATION OF
GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION
PRESENTATION OF LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
RECOGNITION OF COUNTY HONOREES and
AWARD RECIPIENTS
PRESENTATION OF DIRECTOR’S DISTINGUISHED
ACHIEVEMENT IN AGING AWARD
ENJOY THE ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY
TALENTED OLDER NEW YORKERS
CLOSING

New York State Office for the Aging
Director’s Distinguished
Achievement in Aging Awards

Lois Aronstein
Consumer Advocacy and Community Empowerment
Lois Aronstein, is the state director of the New York State Office of AARP, the nation’s leading organization for people fifty and over. Through Lois’ leadership, AARP New York helped New York State pass landmark legislation that requires prescription drug prices from all New York pharmacies to be posted on the Internet so that consumers can have access to affordable medications. She also led AARP in advocating for the law that creates oversight and consumer protections for residents in assisted living facilities and the law that provides support to grandparents raising grandchildren.

Lois initially directed AARP operations in six New England states before she was named director for AARP’s New York State Office at its establishment in 1993. Prior to joining AARP, Ms. Aronstein served as the executive director of the Framingham Council of Aging in Massachusetts and has held numerous other leadership positions on boards and advisory councils in Massachusetts and New York.

She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and IPRO, the Island Peer Review Organization. She is also a trustee of the Aging in New York Fund and served on the Board of Trustees of At Home, Inc., of the Visiting Nurse Association of Brooklyn.

Robert Butler, M.D.
Advancement of Geriatric Practice and Well Aging
Robert N. Butler, M.D., is President and Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chair of the Alliance for Health and the Future of the International Longevity Center and professor of geriatrics at the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. From 1975 to 1982 he was the founding director of the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health. In 1982 he founded the first department of geriatrics in a U.S. medical school. He is a founding Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society and vice-chairman of the Alliance for Aging Research. He served as Chair, Advisory Committee, 1995 White House Conference on Aging. He has served as member (1986-) and then Chair (1994-) of the Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Life Foundation Awards for Medical Research. He is a member of the Advisory Committee, Project on Death In America of the Open Society Institute (George Soros, Founder).

He has been a consultant to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the Commonwealth Fund, the Brookdale Foundation, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and numerous other organizations. He has served on the National Advisory Committees of the Physicians for Human Rights, the National Women’s Health Resource Center and the Mildred and Claude Pepper Foundation, among other organizations. Dr. Butler has been a frequent advisor to the World Health Organization. He was elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 1979. He is also a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. He was a member of the Physician Payment Review Commission, an agency of the U.S. Congress, 1986-89. In 1976 Butler won the Pulitzer Prize for his book Why Survive? Being Old in America. He is co-author (with Dr. Myrna I. Lewis) of the books Aging and Mental Health and Love and Sex After 60.

Mae Carpenter
Innovation in the Aging Network and Community Building
Mae Carpenter has served as the commissioner of the Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), the area agency on aging in Westchester County, N.Y. for over twenty years. She also serves as the fund administrator for the Westchester Public-Private Membership Fund for Aging Services, which she founded in 1990. This partnership, which has raised more than $5 million, helps to develop private resources to expand the services provided to elders by Department of Senior Programs and Services. Mae is a superb leader and the passion and professionalism she brings to her work are consistently outstanding. She is also a visionary, whose innovative and creative ideas have put Westchester on the cutting edge when it comes to developing programs that continue to enhance the lives of seniors. Mae’s development of DSPS’ signature Livable Communities initiative serves as a model for communities across the state and nation preparing for the aging of their residents.

For 30 years, Commissioner Carpenter has spoken the language of aging advocacy and has been a national leader in the field of aging with the ability to build coalitions for systemic and systematic change in aging policies and issues. She is a member of the board of directors of Bethel Homes in Ossining and Croton and an advisory council member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Aging. She also serves on the advisory council of Westchester Community College’s human services department. She was a representative to the national White House Conference on Aging in 1981, 1995 and 2005. She was given a national award by the American Society on Aging in 2008.

Rose Dobrof, DSW
Research and Policy Advancement in Aging
Rose Dobrof is Brookdale Professor of Gerontology at Hunter College of the City University of New York. In 1975 she became Founding Director of Hunter’s Brookdale Center on Aging, a position she relinquished in 1994. She also served as the Co-Director, with Robert N. Butler, M.D., of the Hunter College/Mount Sinai School of Medicine Geriatric Education Center. Since 1979, Professor Dobrof has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work.

During the past three decades, Professor Dobrof has become a nationally renowned expert in the field of aging, and has helped make the Brookdale Center a leading research, education and clinical center. She was elected a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America in 1979. Professor Dobrof is the author of a number of books and articles, and serves on many Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards. She is a Trustee of the Burden Center for the Aging and a member of the Board of the American Federation for Aging Research. Dr. Dobrof was appointed by President Clinton to be a member of the Policy Committee for the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. In May 1995, the President appointed Prof. Dobrof to membership on The Federal Council on Aging. In 1997 Dr. Dobrof was chosen to be co-chair of the US Committee for the Celebration of the United Nations Year of Older Persons 1999.

Suleika Cabrera Drinane
Advancement of Aging Issues Related to Minority and Low Income Elderly
Suleika Cabrera Drinane is the founder and President and CEO of the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. (IPR/ HE), the largest non-profit organization serving Hispanic and other ethnic and racial minority seniors since 1978. She is a pioneer in advocacy for improving the quality of life of senior citizens. Ms. Cabrera is at the forefront in the development of programs to overcome cultural barriers and promote diversity in service delivery. Under her leadership, IPR/HE has grown into a 32-contract multi-service operation serving the New York City Greater Metropolitan Area. Ms. Cabrera is also the founder of the Hispanic Senior Action Council, a statewide self-help group for seniors, currently more than 5,000 members strong.

She is a member of the Citizen’s Committee on Aging; founder and former Vice President of the Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC; and member of the NYC Medicaid-Managed Care Task Force. She was the Vice President of 100 Hispanic Women, Inc.; co-founder of the Hispanic AIDS Forum; co-founder of Progress, Inc; Board member of The New York Women’s Agenda; Aging Committee Chair of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade; Board Member of Comite Noviembre; co-founder of the Bonifacio Cora Senior Housing Development Corporation; and founder of El Cemi Housing Development Fund Corporation which provides permanent housing for the homeless elderly. She was appointed to the Elder Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Advisory Board and is a member and former Chairperson of the National Puerto Rican Forum. She also served as a Delegate to four White House Conferences on Aging and the White House Conference on Social Security.

Monsignor Charles Fahey
Innovation and Advancement of Aging Issues in Faith Communities
Since 1965, Monsignor Fahey has been involved in virtually every major national meeting on long-term care and has been integral to the development of numerous key national service organizations. President Nixon appointed him charter member of the Federal Council on Aging (President Carter later appointed him chairman). By 1967, he was serving as Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Syracuse. Under his direction, the diocese opened five nursing homes and created a nonprofit Catholic Charities affiliate to aid the development of specialized population housing. That resulted in 32 housing projects for the elderly and handicapped in upstate New York. In 1979, Monsignor Fahey became president of both American Association of Homes for the Aging and Catholic Charities. He was also asked to head Fordham University’s Third Age Center on Aging. He also presided over the American Society on Aging, served on national and international advisory boards related to aging and was a delegate to White House Conferences on the Aging.

Lou Glasse
Advancement of Public Policy Related to Economic Security for the Elderly
Lou Glasse is the former President and founder of the Older Women’s League (OWL) and President Emeritus of the organization. She has been the voice of midlife and older women, and a former Director of Aging for the State of New York. In 1981, Governor Hugh Carey of New York told a House Ways and Means Committee that the best way to cut the federal budget deficit was to trim Social security. Serving as the director of New York’s State Office for the Aging at the time took action. Explaining her concern regarding reducing the only pension available to many seniors, Lou asked that an interagency task force study the impact of a Social security benefit cut on the state and its citizens. Using staff from her own and the other 14 agencies involved, the task force found that New Yorkers could lose $7 billion over a four-year period if benefits were slashed, and that the state would need to spend as much as $18 million in additional funds to insure that the state’s older population did not fall below poverty levels. Lou remains active today writing and lecturing on issues of importance to the elderly in New York, nationally and internationally. She has also been active in advocacy efforts on aging issues with the religious community.

O. Lewis Harris
Coalition Building
O. Lewis Harris served as Executive Director of Queens Community House from 1978 to 2009. When he was hired there were just two sites-a community center and an early childhood center-both on the same block in Forest Hills. By the time he retired, Queens Community House was comprised of 21 sites in 11 different neighborhoods. Annually reaching 20,000 young people, families, immigrants from more than 80 different countries, LGBT individuals, and older adults, the population served is as diverse and representative as the borough of Queens itself. The success of early programs earned the organization borough-wide recognition which led to the opportunity to develop more programs that offered an expanded scope of services.

In order to better understand the greater community and represent the participants’ needs on a civic level, Lew became active in Queens’ Community Board 6. He later became co-chair of the aging committee and the personnel committee. His advocacy efforts have extended from Forest Hills to the state capital all the way to the White House. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, and Queensboro Council for Social Welfare. In 2005, he was appointed by Congressman Anthony Weiner as a delegate to the White House conference on Aging. In his retirement, Lew continues to fight on behalf of those whose voices are sometimes ignored.

Igal Jellinek
Program Development and Enhancement
Igal Jellinek has been Executive Director of Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City for the past 20 years. He began his career in 1972 as director of Washington Heights Community Services, a community-based organization providing information and referral and tenant organizing. Under Mr. Jellinek’s leadership, Washington Heights Community Services became one of the original senior centers funded by the Human Resources Administration of New York City, and Mr. Jellinek became its first director. He went on to become executive director of ARC Fort Washington, a large multi-purpose agency that included a senior center and one of the first social day care programs in the City. Mr. Jellinek also completed an internship at the New York City Department for the Aging, where he was involved in policy development.

He was a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. In 2004 he was appointed to the Public Policy Committee of The National Council on Aging. Mr. Jellinek currently serves on numerous boards including National Association of Nutrition and Aging Service Providers, New York State Coalition for the Aging and Human Services Council of New York City. In 1999 he served as Vice-Chair of the U.S. Planning Committee for the United Nations International Year of the Older Person. Mr. Jellinek has also been appointed to the New York State Family Caregiving Council.

Cynthia Rudder, Ph.D.
Advocacy and Protecting the Rights of the Elderly
Cynthia Rudder held the position of executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition (formerly the Nursing Home Community Coalition of New York State), for over 25 years. Now semi-retired, she serves as LTCCC’s director of special projects. LTCCC is a “watchdog” coalition of statewide consumer, civic and professional organizations working to improve nursing home and assisted living care. During her long and distinguished career, she was the Co-Coordinator, Committee for Quality Health Care; served as Acting Director, the Nursing Home Community Coalition of NewYork State (NHCC; was the Associate Director, Friends and Relatives of Institutionalized Aged (FRIA) and was the Coordinator for Ad Hoc Coalition for a Single Standard Nursing Home Code. She has also served on a wide range of advisory groups that have been focused on protecting the rights of the elderly. Cynthia has published a number of reports and articles on nursing home and assisted living including her latest on case-mix nursing home reimbursement. She has become a nationally recognized consumer advocate for nursing home residents.

County Awardees

ALBANY

NANCY W. BRUNO
Nancy has been a Seniors Teaching and Reaching Out to Students volunteer in a Coeymans Elementary school classroom for ten years and has volunteered in the homework club and summer school reading program. She is a lifetime member of the Coeymans Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary and was a member of the Coeymans Landing Neighborhood Association for twelve years. Nancy has been a trustee of the Ravena Coeymans Historical Society for eight years and a member and trustee of the Little Red School House Historical Society for five years.

ROSALIND F. LOMBARDO
Rosalind is “the caregiver” of fellow residents at Van Allen Senior Apartments. Known as the “giving angel,” she visits everyone who goes to a nursing home or hospital and recently cared for a terminally ill neighbor. She gives a birthday party for each resident and makes holiday crafts for 110 apartments and also decorates the community room. Rosalind has been a Seniors Teaching and Reaching Out to Students volunteer for four years. She also volunteers at her church and a nursing home.

ALLEGANY

KATO AND CAROLE ALDRICH
Kato shares his cooking skills with many organizations: the Blind Association, the Office for the Aging, Election Dinners, and the Lutheran Church. He has played Gabby Hayes for local festivals and Santa Claus for the church day care. Carole has used her musical talent to enrich the lives of others. A retired music teacher, she now accompanies the Genesee Valley Chorus and several other musical groups. She recorded a CD of piano music to be sold with all the profits going to charity. She has played the piano for the Lions Club variety show for 35 years.

BROOME

LAWRENCE “BUD” HENECY
Lawrence (“Bud”) has been a dedicated volunteer for 25 plus years at the Binghamton East Side Senior Center and for the Conklin Seniors. He has volunteered serving meals, running errands and planning special programs for these sites. Bud took the initiative with the Conklin Senior Club to be the volunteer leader and liaison to the Office for Aging. Without his leadership, the Office for Aging would not have been able to provide meals and other services to this site.

CLINTON

KAYE CURRY
JAMES FOX
Under Kaye and Jim, the Tax Aide support group has grown from a small group of 14 people to more than 80 who last year filed 2,400 tax returns in a county of 81,000 people. This represents about five percent of the county residents, since many returns are for families and couples. As leaders in the Tax Aide Plattsburgh, Kaye and Jim have recruited, trained, led and empowered the volunteers to return year after year. Kaye is the local coordinator of the entire tax program, while Jim is the technical coordinator. Together they form an unsurpassed partnership of leadership, compassion and dedication. One can only define outstanding leadership by pointing to the success of the group which commands an “outstanding quality rating.” Both Kaye and Jim have an attitude of change, striving always to improve the process. Under them, the facilita tors were introduced to Plattsburgh providing faster quality service for initial review. Kaye and Jim spend a huge number of hours all year planning, executing and finalizing the process.

COLUMBIA

PATRICIA RACENET
Following a 30 year career in nursing and office work, Patricia decided to contact the Office for the Aging to see if there was anything she could do to help seniors. Patricia has an outstanding ability to establish rapport with seniors. She quickly became an important part of the team volunteering three to four days per week. Patricia is actively involved with the Young at Hearters in the community.

CORTLAND

JIM & PAT VanNORTWICK
Jim and Pat visit the hospital, nursing homes and the homebound to share their humor, smiles and compassion. They volunteer regularly at their church. Jim and Pat have worked on Red Cross Blood Drives, library book drives, community events and Catholic Daughters fundraising. They volunteer for the summer feeding program for children at the local parks and have been pen pals to third graders at a local school.

DELAWARE

JOAN AND BOB CRONAUER
Joan and Bob have taken training to become first responders, then basic EMT, then Intermediate EMT, and finally became Advanced Critical Care providers. They are the only two to be accredited to serve in this role in the greater Franklin area and only two of eleven serving the entire county. Joan and Bob have become well known throughout Delaware County and have earned the friendship and respect of all their fellow EMS workers. Currently, the Cronauers spend much of their time serving as EMT instructors for other volunteers, as well as providing sophisticated advanced critical care assistance in emergencies.

GARY MANNING
In 1994, Gary moved to Delhi. Within a year, he was serving as Mayor and within two years he was heavily involved with recovery and post recovery efforts related to the infamous flood of 1996. In 1998, Gary was asked to run for Supervisor for the Town of Delhi. In 2003, Gary ended his term as Town Supervisor and in 2007, became involved with the local legion post. He served as Commander for Legion Post 190 from 2007-08 and continues to serve on the County American Legion Committee.

DUTCHESS

MAUREEN CREEDEN
Maureen retired eight years ago from the Hyde Park School District after teaching for 33 years. Even after retiring from the school, she stays active selling raffle tickets several times a year to help raise money to support the cheerleaders and the music department. Maureen and many of her fellow retirees belong to a group that helps keep retired teachers active and involved. About three years ago, Maureen brought her mother to one of the Office for the Aging’s Senior Friendship Centers for a special event. She was so impressed with the activity and the way it was run, she decided to initiate a similar program for her local town. With the help of her fellow retired teachers, Maureen now executes three major events each year in Hyde Park. Since Maureen has taken over the planning, attendance at each event has grown by over 60 people.

RAYMOND JOYCE
Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program leader Raymond has led the Clinton Town Hall class twice a week, every week since the program first started in late 1999. He also shares nutrition and health information with the participants. Through Ray’s efforts, seniors receive not only an effective exercise routine for fall prevention and balance, but also the socialization and fellowship.

ERIE

AUBREY TURNER
Aubrey’s focus is on coordinating programs and services that assist seniors to live independently in their homes and neighborhoods. He is a man of many talents. After retiring as an Operations Manager with General Electric in the early 1990’s, Aubrey began to devote more and more of his time working with senior citizens. From 1993 to 1998, he worked for the City’s Buffalo Urban League as a Job Developer and Counselor where he helped find jobs for seniors. At a time when many young and middle aged men and women were looking for work, it was a challenge to find any employment for older adults. This is when Aubrey first started looking for a safe location for senior citizens to meet. He found a place, and another and another before they all settled into Clemmon H. Hodges Community Center at The Buffalo Urban League where they are today. Since 1998, Aubrey has been the Assistant Director of the Buffalo Urban League Multi-Services Center. The senior group at the Center has grown and todtoday report more than 300 seniors participated in their Telephone Assurance Program; 6,000 meals were served to seniors in their Group Dining Program and 1,880 rides were provided through their transportation services.

ESSEX

CHARLES AND SHARON MARTIN
Sharon works at a local food bank, assisted with the establishment of a thrift shop, worked with literacy volunteers and helped to restart a local Sunday school program. During the Town of Lewis Bicentennial celebration, both Charlie and Sharon were key players in the success of this commemoration. Charlie has been a member of the local volunteer EMS agency in which he played the lead in construction of their new station by organizing volunteers. He serves on the local fire department, as well as a Council Member for the Town of Lewis. He currently serves on the local fire department, as well as Council member for the town. Presently, Charlie also sits on the committee for the restoration of the town’s playground.

FRANKLIN

JACK HINMAN
Jack has been a part of the Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center family as a volunteer since it opened in May, 1989. Jack’s extensive knowledge of the region and his science background assist in his program delivery. This has been especially so seen in the VIC’S school program where Jack has lead thousands of children into the exploration of the natural wonders of the Adirondack Park. Jack is a former teacher and high school principal. He is a 50-year Rotarian, a member of the NRA, a designated Bluebird counter for New York State, former Chairman of the Alice Hyde Medical Center, and a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteer whose lifetime hours total is 2,818.

FULTON

JULIE MARTIN
Julie is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Gloversville Senior Center and is an active member of the Fulton County Office for Aging Advisory Council. She has lead a group of volunteers in attempting to raise funds to support the Senior Nutrition Program in 2009. Julie also is a member of the Red Hatter’s group where she volunteers and helps seniors in that group. Julie also volunteered this year to participate in the “Aging Unit” at Johnstown High School, where seniors and students get together to learn about each other (the OFA coordinates a week long curriculum in the spring and fall and works with the Home and Careers (or now Choices) classes to learn about Aging Services, jobs in the human services field, experience an Aging Sensitivity workshop, travel to a senior facility, and discussing topics with a panel of seniors.

JACK SCHREIVOGL
Jack is very involved in his church with the Lutheran Conference. He is also involved with the CROP walk for over 20 years. Jack is a Veteran of the Korean War and has been a Home Delivered Meal volunteer for over 15 years.

GREENE

PHYLLIS BEECHERT
Phyllis has been involved in the following organizations: charter member, president and life member of the Greenville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary; Treasurer of Greenville Fire District #1; Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners and of the Greenville Rescue Squad; member of the Board of Directors and Greene County Coordinator of the American Cancer Society; Senior Warden of the Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church; and Treasurer of Greenville Area Interfaith Council, Greenville Area Food Pantry and C.R.O.P. Hunger Walk. She has also organized transportation for dialysis patients, drives people to medical appointments, and phones and visits the sick and homebound.

RICHARD GOLDEN
Richard is a member and past Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Coxsackie-Athens Rotary Club, he is the creator and chairman of the Rotary Club’s Handyman Program and is the “go-to guy” connecting both the Coxsackie and Athens food pantries. He is a former member of Athens Playscape, the planners of the children’s playground. He is a member of the Catskill Kiwanis, the Athens Community Foundation, a former home delivered meals volunteer, and a past Chairperson for the Sleepy Hollow Lake Environmental Control Committee.

JEFFERSON

ROBERT H. AND DOROTHY J. AUSTIN
Robert is a member of the Jefferson Board of Supervisors for 22 years during which time he served as Chairman of the Board from 1978-79. He also served as Trustee of Jefferson Community College for six years. He is a former President of the Brownville Glen Park Senior Citizens and has been its Travel Chairman for the past several years. Robert is a member of the local chapter of AARP, as well as a member of the Theresa Senior Citizens Association. He is an active volunteer with the Watertown Meals on Wheels, as well as a counselor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives. He has been a member of the Advisory Board of Jefferson County Office for the Aging and past Chairman. Robert is a member of the Jefferson County Magistrates Association, the NYS Magistrates Association, Jefferson County Historical Society, Honorary Director of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, life member of the National Association of the Purchasing Management Association, life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1400, American Legion Post 61, life member of Watertown Lodge of Elks #496, life member and past President of the North Side Improvement League, Inc. and past President of the Holy Name Society of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Watertown. Dorothy’s involvement with the Brownville Glen Park Senior Citizens includes: Treasurer for nine years; Vice President for three years; currently serving as President for the past five years; Theresa seniors-8 years; Meals on Wheels; AARP; Volunteer for Health Fair-Office for the Aging; North Side Improvement League Life Member; Member, Jefferson County Agricultural Society; Past Member, LeRay Evans Mills Seniors; Past Member Dexter Seniors and past volunteer, American Red Cross Neighbor Road Drive. Usually every Sunday, she also visits the Samaritan Keep Home.

LEWIS

WILLIAM “BILL” MARMON
Bill is a frequent visitor to the residents in Sunset Nursing Home. He also visits a senior housing complex and sits in on card games with the seniors. Bill also volunteers much of his time to the local food pantry, unloading trucks, stacking shelves, building construction when needed, and whatever other tasks that may be needed. Bill is also an active member with his church assisting with daily activities and doing repairs when needed.

LIVINGSTON

MABEL TREADWELL
Mabel has been helping those in need for 35 years. Her outreach efforts have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of residents in crisis to find support and resources that were in need. She was the organizing force that established the Food Pantry network, which now serves families in all school districts. Her outreach efforts extend to her service in the capacity of Social Ministry Coordinator for her parish, Livingston County Coalition of Churches Board member and President of the Board for Catholic Charities of Livingston County.

MONROE

VIOLA CURRY
The senior center is the “center” of Viola’s being. She is passionate about keeping seniors involved and active, and feels the center is a gathering spot for the seniors of the community. She views seniors as role models for the younger generation and she reinforces this with them. Viola has worked to maintain two groups of seniors over the past years (one that met at the church for the nutrition program and the other group that continued to meet at the Montgomery Neighborhood Center). When there was a chance that the nutrition site might be dying, she was instrumental in re-involving the seniors to increase the attendance. Since the nutrition program site moved back to the Montgomery Neighborhood Center, attendance has been growing even more by incorporating the two groups into one. Viola is a graduate of Empire State College. She is a member of VFW Post Pennington-Moye and the Southwest Kiwanis Club. She is involved in many more community groups. Finally, she loves fast cars; she even had the chance to drive a race car on a track!

NASSAU

ANN ELIZABETH CHAN
Ann has devoted her time and efforts toward furthering the education of women and developing harmony and understanding among the ethnic and cultural groups. Through her committee assignments at the Merchant Marine Academy, she developed education programs for non-professional staff and was also recognized for coordinating cultural programs in Asian/American, Black History and Hispanic heritage. Her helping philosophy is evidenced by her numerous volunteer activities: encouraging women to reach their educational goals, producing cultural programs for elementary school children, teaching ethnic studies and Chinese cooking for Adult Education students and developing a senior program at the Chinese Center of Long Island.

ONEIDA

EDWARD JACKSON
Edward retired from the United States Navy in 1978. His community service includes: Advisory Board member; Chairperson of Diversity Committee; Instructor of Tennis and Badminton Programs at the Parkway Senior Center; Journalist, Utica Phoenix Paper; Observer Dispatch Newspaper; WKTV Television Station Advisory Boards; Cub Den leader; African-American Advisory Committee; Cornhill Development Commission, Finance Commissioner; NYS certified Community Dispute Resolution Mediator; PTA; Oneida County NAACP Secretary; American Legion Post Commander 229; Leah Street Block Association Founder and Captain; Big Brothers mentor; Cornhill Community for Change Chairman; St. John’s Church and AmeriCorps Vista Community Organizer.

ONONDAGA

BARBARA GENTON
Barbara is on the board of Sage Upstate. Her leadership has helped Sage serve more lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender seniors each year. As a cancer survivor, Barbara’s volunteer work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation has inspire countless others working to end breast cancer. A school teacher for 36 years, she also dedicated her life to youth through excellence in education. In 2003, she received the NYS United Teachers Community Service Award for her volunteer work on cancer awareness. She shows what a truly positive experience aging can be.

ORANGE

ANITA MANLEY
Anita is outstanding for her volunteer work on several levels. She has been a coordinator for the Town of Newburgh, Friends of Seniors and delivers Meals on Wheels. Anita assists cancer patients with emotional support. Her dynamic friendly personality is a great asset in her daily work.

REVEREND STUART STILES
Stuart is Pastor of United Church in New Vernon, and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and past Chairperson of Social Sciences at Orange County Community College. He was instrumental in developing the Faith in Action Program in the Greater Middletown Interfaith Council to help launch Hometown Helpers.

Along with his wife, Stuart continues to serve the town of Mt. Hope as a delivery team for the Senior Dining Program of the Orange County Office for the Aging. He rounds out this impressive service to the community by coordinating a Called-to-Care Program at the United Church of New Vernon, a program which helps provide food and care for the homebound and hospitalized; he operates a community service website and he serves as a Chaplain and officer in the Fire, Police unit of Howell’s Fire Company.

ORLEANS

GRACE DENNISTON
Grace retired from Orleans County Office for the Aging in 2004. She began her involvement with Community Action in 2002-03 where she volunteered in a Head Start classroom weekly. She then branched out and volunteered with Community Action Angels and became a member of the Board of Directors in 2004. Grace currently is the Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Program Committee and on the Angels in Action Advisory Board. Since 2008, she has coordinated the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign for the county. Grace is also an active member of Albion Rotary Club and was President from 2007-08. In addition, she volunteers much of her time at the Carlton United Methodist church where she is Chair of the Missions Committee. Grace has been a volunteer for Hospice for Orleans for five years. She has served the Hospice Program in several different capacities. Grace has also educated volunteers on Alzheimer’s disease and has served an active role for that population. She volunteers for other community organizations such as Office for the Aging and the Orleans Community Mass Choir.

OTSEGO

GERALD GREEN
Gerald has been the driving force behind the successful efforts to develop Senior Housing in Unadilla. He worked to overcome a number of hurdles in finding land, a developer and obtaining funding for Unadilla Neighborhood Apartments scheduled for completion this summer. He is active in his church as a Session Member and helps with maintenance of the building by organizing major projects. He is treasurer of the Unatego High School Booster Club. Gerald is a Unadilla Village Trustee and heads the Recreation and Parks Committees which oversee the summer recreation program providing activities for kids. He is also a long time member and currently Vice President of the Otsego County Office for the Aging Advisory Council and has recently “retired” as an AARP Safe Driver instructor.

LESTER OLMSTED
Lester has been an active member of the Richfield Springs Fire Department (RSFD) since 1948 and a member of their Emergency Services since 1973. He recently recertified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician recognizing the need for such services in his community. He helps with benefits and dinners in support of the RSFD. He is an active member of Rotary and organizes a Senior Citizen’s Christmas Dinner and other social activities throughout the year. He is an active member of his church serving on the board for the last two years and helps with the local food pantry. He was a member of the ski patrol from 1963- 2008 and served as a member of the Otsego County Board of representatives from 1980-1983. Les is a World War II Veteran and a member of the Richfield American Legion. Les assists members of his community in ways which include shopping, transportation and doing indoor and outdoor chores.

RENSSELAER

SHIRLEY F. MADSEN
Shirley has been very active with the seniors for many years and serves as President of the local AARP Senior Club. Shirley is an active member of the Rotary Club of Latham, the Expansion and Collections Committees of the Brunswick Historical Society, a member and Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Brunswick Community Library, and Moderator of the Book & Movie Group for the Brunswick Community Library as well. Her Rotary activities vary from fund raising, assisting at blood drives and ringing the bell at Christmas time for the Salvation Army.

BARBARA S. MADSEN
Barbara joined the Rensselaer County Office for Aging in 1983 and began a long and dedicated career learning every aspect of the department. Barbara is secretary for the church Council and is actively involved with her church in numerous ways. She sings in the choir and is active in the Women’s Ladies Aid Group performing outreach. Barbara donates her time to filling stockings for Vander Heyden residents, making gift bags for the homebound, baking for the Lutheran Home in Delmar and working on fundraisers.

ROCKLAND

JOYCE BROWN
Joyce, who turns 70 this year, has been a dedicated RSVP volunteer for the last three years and has donated more than 600 hours of service. She is involved with her church and attends many events held by non-profit community organizations. Some of her volunteer services include: Rockland County Department of Health Fall Prevention Educator, AAUW Fundraising/Board Member, RSVP Group Leader, East Ramapo Central School District Tutor/Group Leader, Chiku Awali African Dance Troupe Mentor, Spring Valley Rotary Scholarship Chair, Martin Luther King Center Board Member, League of Women Voters Board Member and Statewide Senior Action Council Board Member. She works with the elderly as a volunteer financial advisor. In 2009, Joyce received the Lifetime Achievement award from American Association for University Women. Until her retirement a few years ago, Joyce spent 25 years as the Director of the Evening Respite Service of the Bronx Organization for the Learning Disabled.

RITA ELL
Rita is a member of the Monticello Senior Citizen Club. Since joining the Montebello Club, she has been actively involved in being Chairlady of the theatre group for a few years. She was Program Director for two years, served as secretary for two years, as well as recording secretary, Vice President and then President. During these years, Rita hosted special “over 90” birthday parties. Rita joined “Clowns R Us” at its first meeting to organize a group at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church. They would go to nursing homes in their home-made clown outfits and make-up. She now goes to fourteen different nursing homes in the county. The clowns also go to Good Samaritan Hospital, Nyack Hospital and Helen Hayes in addition to special events held by various organizations in the county. Rita goes to the Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey every year where the Rotary Club entertains hundreds of handicapped children for a day of fun, prizes and lunch. As a volunteer at Saint Zita’s Home for Women in Monsey, Rita served the residents their evening meals on Saturday once a month for a few years. She enjoys visiting nursing homes and the residents enjoy seeing her. Rita helped out with several Monsey Lions Club functions. She volunteered several times to help with food service for the town at festivities.

ST. LAWRENCE

SYLVIA DESPAW
Sylvia joined the Norwood Golden Agers Senior Club in 1997. She has been Club President from 2002 until 2010 and is very active in keeping the club “home” for over 100 members. In 1997, she also joined the Massena Seniors Club where she continues to be involved as a member and an officer.

Sylvia is currently President of the Saint Lawrence County Council of Seniors. She has also served as First Vice President, Second Vice President and as Assistant Treasurer for two years. She volunteers over fifty hours a month doing senior activities. She is also active in her community with the Neighborhood Outreach Program where she has assisted with the Christmas program for many years; she is also the Fundraiser Chairperson for the local Habitat for Humanity Program which has completed the construction of three homes. She also volunteers at Red Cross blood mobiles several times a year.

MYRTLE REGAN
Myrtle has been the “helping hand” and “loving heart” of her community throughout her life. As police dispatcher, she always went the “extra mile” to find assistance and help out members of the community. After retirement, her deep sense of compassion and dedication to her community strengthened. She is Canton Senior Club’s President; volunteers at the local nursing home – “adopts” seniors there who have no family; works at events for the fire department and church and provides transportation to seniors when needed. She is the kind of person who always has time for others; she truly listens, builds trust; carefully evaluates before making recommendations and never breaks a confidence.

SARATOGA

LOIS ANDERSON
Lois is a retired nurse who has spent the last 16 years volunteering at the community center. She has been a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Saratoga County since 1994. In 2009, she documented 259 volunteer hours. Lois has helped in aiding the community in numerous ways such as packaging meals at the congregate meal site for the homebound, organizing the annual garage sale, involved in the Back-to-School Program which helps with needed school supplies for children. Every year Lois makes, sells, packages and transports May baskets and umbrellas to be used for a major fundraiser. The sales from this fundraiser are used to give three scholarships to the graduating high school, adopting families at Christmas, as well as purchasing extra toys for children and much more. She also volunteers at all the Center’s functions, organizes the Center’s library and decorates the Center for all holidays. As a member of the Moreau Fun Band, she entertains in nursing homes, day care centers and senior housing facilities and also sews the uniforms for the Band. Lois helps in the preparation of gift boxes that get sent out to local soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

LEAH CONKLIN
Leah is an 80 year old “Dynamo-On-Wheels” and has been volunteering for over 15 years at the community center. She logged in 127½ RSVP hours for 2009. Leah works at the Great Escape from May-October every year, but manages to fit volunteerism into her hectic schedule. Leah is a regular Home-Delivered meals driver and a regular volunteer at the congregate meal site, serving hundreds of meals a year. Once a month, she distributes “Extra Helpings” (food co-op buying program) at the Center. She helps in the Food Pantry organizing the food and restocking the shelves. Every month she helps assemble 3,000 senior newsletters. She also helps label the 7,000 Center’s “Connection” newsletters that are mailed out three times a year. Leah has spent hours sitting at local nursing homes selling May baskets for the Center’s Senior Program fundraiser every year. She is also very involved with her church and helps them organize a big rummage sale once a year. She personally checks on some homebound (with no relatives) by calling them every day.

SCHENECTADY

HELEN GEORGE
Helen has worked as the Recreation Department’s volunteer secretary allowing the professional staff countless additional hours of direct service time. She also functions as a friendly visitor. Currently, she is an active member of the Resident Council and helped with fund raising to acquire a player piano. Helen was involved in constructing gift bags for a volunteer recognition event. Throughout her life, Helen has gone above and beyond in her work experiences as Social Editor of the Schenectady Gazette and as a well respected realtor associate. In her lifelong volunteering, she held active and leadership positions in some twenty community service organizations and was named a Schenectady Patroon.

ESTHER MOREY SWANKER
One of Esther’s most cherished accomplishments is organizing the first “I Love NY” Fall Festival in 1977. Esther served on the Governor Carey’s Conference on Libraries and was instrumental in getting women hired as workers on highway crews. After her retirement, Esther’s volunteer commitments thrived, including hosting an annual Garden Party to welcome newcomers to her community. She was a delegate to the White House Conference on Children and the White House Conference on Libraries. She received the Rozendaal Award for Community Service, the YWCA Woman of Vision award, the Girl Scout Thanks Badge, the Girl Scouts Woman of Action award, and the Schenectady Business & Professional Women’s Club Woman of the Year honor. Ms. Swanker has maintained active membership for over fifty years in the NY Library Association and Girl Scouts of America, and has tirelessly supported nearly twenty other organizations that provide services to those in need.

SCHOHARIE

DONALD KLOB
Donald is a retired pastor from the Cobleskill Wesleyan Church and conducts services in Ulster County. He also ministers to adult homes and local hospitals in Schoharie County. He has been a Long Term Care Ombudsman volunteer since 2006 and is very active in legislative advocacy. Donald volunteers much of his time providing transportation to senior citizens for medical appointments, running errands, etc.

SCHUYLER

ROSE CICCONE
Rose is a lifelong resident of Schuyler County. She is well known and loved in the community due to her enthusiasm and dedicated service. Rose’s name has been synonymous with the “Concerts in the Park” series at Lafayette Park in Watkins Glen. She recently decided to step down as the organizer after 23 years. Rose was heavily involved in the fund raising aspect associated with the hiring of bands each season. She also worked on raising funds to refurbish the old bandstand in the park, as well as raise money for the installation of a new sound system and dance floor. In addition to all of this, Rose has been an active United Way volunteer, volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the Village Board.

SUFFOLK

JOHN SCIACCHITANO
John came to RSVP in 1996 and has had a variety of placements, the most recent which is the Museums at Stony Brook where he serves as a docent. He has also been a strong advocate of seniors. He currently serves with Suffolk County Office for the Aging in their HIICAP Program. John counsels about 400 individuals annually. He also serves on the Board of RSVP.

SULLIVAN

HELEN KWASINOWICZ
For more than 30 years, Helen has been a long time volunteer and member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. On June 2, 2010, she will be 92 years old and has logged in this year 498 hours of volunteer service. Early on, she transported the elderly to medical appointments, assisted with teaching children in the Greater Book Program, assisted in the Crawford Library Literacy Program, volunteered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, logged in hours at a Muscular Dystrophy event and served on the Office for the Aging Advisory Board. She presently serves on the Nutrition Advisory Board and has been on the RSVP Advisory Board since 1999. Helen also was a homebound meal driver and is involved in assembling holiday gifts for the homebound. As an Advisory member for the RSVP Program, she plays a major role in coordinating the Annual Recognition ceremony. She has been a volunteer and member of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County for more than 40 years where she performs clerical duties. Helen is also a member of several Family and Consumer Sciences homemaker groups. She spends many hours crocheting baby blankets and lap robes for the infants and residents of Sullivan County nursing homes. Other short term volunteer projects include: maintaining a booth at health fairs and informational booths, reciting short stories and poems for residents at a local nursing facility, and volunteering at various Flu Clinics.

JUDY TOLKACZ
Judy has been a resident of Sullivan County for 25 years. In 1992, Judy began volunteering by joining the Senior Club in her hometown. In 1994, she signed up with the Sullivan County OFA, RSVP Program. She sits on the Office for the Aging Advisory Board and is President of the Nutrition Advisory Council for the Meals on Wheels Program. Judy volunteers at congregate meal sites, delivering homebound meals and driving seniors to doctors and other facilities. She is instrumental in organizing fundraisers for purchasing gifts, food and packaging and distributing them or the homebound for the holidays.

TOMPKINS

CARINA EMERSON
Carina has over 42 years of volunteer service with the Groton American Legion Auxiliary. She contributes to the operation of auxiliary kitchen events including: assisting seniors with monthly dinner meetings, Veteran’s Day dinner, bereavement lunches and dinners, receptions and social events.

PAUL MCGRAW
Paul has volunteered since 1993 as a driver and trainer at Gadabout, a non-profit transportation service for older adults. As a driver, Paul transported seniors to medical appointments, work, shopping and other activities. In the past ten years, he has volunteered over 5,000 hours at Gadabout and is a member of the RSVP Advisory Council.

ULSTER

WILLIAM PAULUS
Bill participates in the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Kiwanis and Lions Club. He is on the board of the Ulster Performing Arts Center and trip coordinator for AARP, Chapter 2039. As coordinator, this year he will be offering a total of 16 trips.

LUCY POLACCO
Lucy is a 27-year resident of Hickory Ridge. As a resident, she is a walking “Welcome Wagon”. She constantly patrols the property to ensure that spirits are at their highest and order is maintained. As a volunteer helper to the maintenance supervisor, Lucy works non-stop and is a valued confident. You can usually find her raking leaves, sweeping driveways and walkways and jogging alongside a tractor toting supplies when needed. In 2008, the management staff purchased Lucy her first bicycle spreading her daily enthusiasm and a smile a little faster.

WARREN/HAMILTON

KATHY BINDER
Kathy is very involved in many organizations. She is an active member of the Warren County Council of Senior Citizens and serves as their Assistant Secretary. She puts tremendous effort into Warren/Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging’s volunteer picnic and the annual Senior Awards Luncheon in a variety of capacities. In addition, she is Secretary of the Sugar Loaf Senior Club, Secretary of the Warrensburg 50 Plus Senior Citizens’ Club and a member of the Beautification Committee in Athol. Kathy also helps in collecting for the troops and delivering meals.

GERTRUDE (TRUDY) HOOKER
Trudy has spent countless hours volunteering her time and energy to a variety of worthwhile community activities. She is an integral part of the Senior Companion Program at Long Lake Day Habilitation. She is a very active member of St. Henry’s Parish and is on their Bereavement Committee and involved with their food pantry. Another of her endeavors is the monthly Merry Widows Birthday Girls gathering which she helps organize. All of these are in addition to her always being available to drive folks to doctors’ appointments and any other errands.

EVA LAMOY
Eva is active in a variety of things including the Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (CVW) Long Lake Library. There she serves as Treasurer for the Friends of the CVW Long Lake Library group and lends her time and energy to volunteering and fundraising. She is very involved at St. Henry’s Catholic Church and is a key participant in Catholic Daughter’s, a charitable organization. She also makes time to bake for events, provide transportation, visit local shut-in’s and host card parties. Eva leads by example with her willingness to pitch in to get things accomplished.

ANITA RICHARDS
Anita is a true asset to the community of Bolton Landing and the surrounding areas. She is the Chairperson of several local organizations: the Bolton Health Committee, the Emmanuel United Methodist Church Administrative Counsel, the United Methodist Women and the Church Missions Committee. She is extremely involved with the Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum having served as the Administrative Director for 16 years and Program Coordinator since 2007. In addition, Anita has been an active member of the Bolton Book Club for 22 years. She has also assisted the Bolton Senior Nutrition site both delivering meals and as an active volunteer wherever needed.

WASHINGTON

PATRICIA OATHOUT
Pat is the President of the Mettowee Valley Senior Citizens Club. The Town and Village of Granville is engaged in a process of community development focusing on creating a unified and cohesive community that is supportive of all of its citizens. Pat has been active in ensuring that the needs of all senior citizens are included in that planning process. Granville has also been targeted as part of a regional planning grant that involved the administration of a needs assessment. Pat helped mobilize the Senior Club members to not only maximize survey response, but also helped administer the survey throughout the community.

SALLY WALKER
Sally is President of Washington County Council of Seniors, as well as the Fort Ann Senior Citizen’s Club. As President, she has been instrumental in working with the town toward the development of a community center that will include space for senior activities and functions. She helps her club and its members to advocate for needed services and supports within the community and at the state and national level. She recently began volunteering as an instructor for an exercise program.

WESTCHESTER

DR. ARTHUR WOLSTEIN
Dr. Arthur Wolstein, is a retired podiatrist from New Rochelle. He turned 95 in late 2009. Every month for the past eight years, since he was a mere lad of 87, Dr. Wolstein has presented a monthly Medicare lecture at the White Plains Senior Center as a volunteer with the Westchester Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare (SOS Medicare). Dr. Wolstein was one of four seniors out of a group of 36 who received “special recognition” at the 27th annual Senior Hall of Fame. Medicare is not the only way he gives back, he said, for the good fortune which has blessed his life. He also takes great pride in his service as a staff sergeant in the army from 1942 to 1946 when he was stationed stateside and in England. Dr. Wolstein is also a past commander of the Disabled Veterans of America. He reaches out to other former service members as a volunteer/visitor at the Bronx Veterans Hospital. He is a former head of Visions Summer Camp for the Blind and today serves on its Board of Directors. He is also a past President of the American Association of Hospital Podiatrists and the Bronx Podiatry Society. He is a member of the American Academy of Ambulatory Foot Surgery.

YATES

TOM CARLIN
Tom is involved in many diverse activities in the county including: AARP Tax Preparer; Home Delivered Meals driver; Yates County Jail ministries; Food Sense; treasurer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and volunteering when needed.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Michael J. Burgess
Director

Governor’s Advisory Committee
On Aging

NYSOFA Aging Services
Advisory Committee



Download Microsoft Word doc and docx viewer

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view our pdf documents Link to download Abobe Reader