The Catskill Chronicle

[ LIBERTY] – On Wednesday, August 12, members of the Sullivan County Adult Care Center (SCACC) Family Council held a reception at the facility to celebrate its 20th anniversary.   

The Family Council of the SCACC was established in 1989 by William Wallace, who was, at the time, a director of social services at the facility, and a former program coordinator for the Office for the Aging. He observed that “the council exists to work for and support loved ones.”  Mr. Wallace retired from the facility in 1994, but the Family Council continues in strength and purpose to work with staff, be the facility’s patient advocates and administration for the good of the patients and the entire center.

Over the years the Council has received memorial gifts, donations, dues, held raffles and other events. All money raised is used to improve the lives of residents in the facility. Recently, the Leidner family of Monticello presented substantial memorial gifts to be used to purchase new patio furniture. The Council especially wishes to thank Glenn and Jennifer Adamec, owners of American Storage Buildings, Inc. who produced the wooden patio tables specially constructed in the Amish country, and Gary Gottleib of Trading Post for the umbrellas and stands.

Because the facility is a county-run operation, all monetary donations to SCACC have to be put into the county coffers. However, because of the existence of the independent “Family Council,” donations can be made directly to the Council and used strictly for the benefit of the residents. The Council has held yard sales, bake sales, raffles and sales of their own cookbooks. They have purchased a big-screen TV, three pianos, sound systems, and many other items too numerous to list that otherwise would not have been able to be acquired due to county monetary restrictions.

Notables from the Family Council who attended the anniversary celebration included: Fred Robertson (Woodbourne) President; Robert Konvalin (Livingston Manor) Vice President; Gail Fredenburg (North Branch) Secretary; Barbara Konvalin (Livingston Manor) Treasurer; Jim Dirie (Youngsville) former FC President; Joan Dirie (Youngsville) former FC Secretary; Kathryn Robertson (Woodbourne); Jack and Roe Genovese (Smallwood); Beth Leidner (Monticello); and Pam DeFeo (Yulan).

County officials in attendance included: David Fanslau, Sullivan County Manager; Joshua Potosek, Commissioner of Management and Budget; Christopher Cunningham, Commissioner of the Division of Health and Family Services (Public Health, Office for the Aging, Community Services, Department of Family Services, S. C. Adult Care Center); Ron Hiatt, District 8 Legislator; and Michele Klugman, aide to the Honorable Aileen Gunther.

Also in attendance  were staff from the S. C. Adult Care Center: Pamela Hurley, Administrator; Debbie Spaulding, Assistant Administrator; Susan Knapp, Director of Nursing; Cathy Rauschendorfer, Director of Social Services; Heather Storms, Case Worker; Carol Ellmauer, Activities Department; Bill Wallace, retired Director of Social Services; and Joe Heilman, retired Director of Adult Day Health Services.

Other guests included: Glenn and Jennifer Adamec, owners of American Storage Buildings, Inc. (Parksville); Colleen Cunningham; the Durante family; and the residents of the S. C. Adult Care Center.

Family Council holds monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month in the facility’s Adult Day Health Services room, usually with one or more special guest speakers. They have been proud to welcome David Fanslau, county manager, CRMC’s Steven Ruwoldt, CEO and Barbara Gentile, VP/CNO, legislators Chris Cunningham and Jodi Goodman, representatives from Hospice and many others. Sharon Jones, current Director of Adult Day Health Services and her staff always welcomes those attending Family Council’s meetings with “homemade” goodies.