The Catskill Chronicle

Story by Carol Montana, Photos by Leni Santoro

CALLICOON, NY – The volunteer statistics are stunning, and the people involved truly inspiring.

On Monday, May 10, the Sullivan County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) held a luncheon honoring over 200 people for their countless hours of volunteerism.

In her opening remarks, RSVP Project Director Carol Kelly commented on the dedication of the volunteers. “You’re here because you share a commitment and a desire to serve others in the community. You have confidence in yourself and faith in your fellow human being. You volunteer simply because you’re a good neighbor… because it’s the right thing to do.”

Sullivan County Legislative Chair Jonathan Rouis remarked how he and his colleagues on the Legislature “are continually amazed to find out that more than 274 individuals volunteered in 2009. The youngest RSVP is 55 years old, and 144 volunteers are older than 75.”

Rouis called the RSVP volunteers “the brightest and best example of service within our county.”

RSVP members serve the community by volunteering as literacy tutors, at nutrition sites, for medical transportation, and in cultural and community activities. They put in over 62,000 hours in 2009, serving over 33,766 individuals. The volunteers delivered 62,728 homebound meals and served 17,865 congregate meals. They also served 35,000 hot meals to the homeless, and delivered 38,000 pantry items.

Volunteers work at the Dispute Resolution Center or Court Appointed Special Advocates Program. They do daily telephone contacts and friendly visiting.There are 35 medical transporters who put in more than 2000 collective hours and drove more than 41,000 total miles. There are 18 volunteers who are 90+ years old, and eight people volunteered over 1000 hours in 2009.

Marie Zalesky, who is 102 years old, received special recognition as the program’s oldest volunteer. Zalesky volunteers at the Grover Hermann Hospital in Callicoon where she put in 121 hours assisting patients, and logged more hours in 2009 than she did in 2008.

Literacy Volunteers Director Connie Keller introduced guest speaker Larry McCall. Once one of the literacy students himself, McCall spoke about his learning to read as being a gift. “It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world. There will never be another day that I will walk through this world without a book in my hand.” McCall is now a volunteer himself.

The 2010 Seniors of the Year by township are:

Brenda Safer – Bethel, Sheila Coleman – Callicoon, Jacalyn Robisch – Cochecton, Judy Tolkacz – Delaware, Max Selman – Fallsburg, Elaine Alenky – Forestburgh, Donald Downs – Fremont, Grace Tews – Highland, Beatrice Martin – Liberty, Sheila Hocker – Lumberland, Robert Conner –Mamakating, Dorothy Muthig – Neversink, Elizabeth Policoro – Rockland, Barbara Fogarty –Thompson, Charles Scheibling – Tusten.

In addition to winning the award as Senior of the Year from his town, Donald Downs from the Town of Fremont also won as overall Senior of the Year.

Downs has an amazing list of accomplishments including being a medical transporter and a member of the Town of Fremont Planning Board. He’s active in planning the municipal water system in Long Eddy, is a member of the design and planning committee for Fremont Town Hall, and volunteers at WJFF Radio. He’s President of the Board of Directors of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, and is a member of Scenic Byway Committee. Additionally, Downs volunteers for the Historical Society of Long Eddy.

“I volunteer as a payback for living in such a wonderful place. Fremont is a beautiful town, we live on the river and we enjoy it. … People should volunteer to become involved with their community so that they understand what makes things work. It’s important that they get outside themselves.”

As RSVP Project Director Carol Kelly told the assembled volunteers, “You make Sullivan County a better place to be.”

To see more photos from Senior Volunteers Celebrated at 37th Annual RSVP Luncheon, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.