Celebrating Our Senior Volunteers
Margaret Fettes (middle) of Dutchess County was one of many older New Yorkers honored
at NYSOFA's Senior Citizens' Day ceremonies.
Senior Corps Week was May 7-11, 2012. Senior volunteers were honored for
"Making a Difference for Generations" and encourage more communities to harness
the talent and skill of Americans 55+.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, for more than four
decades, Senior Corps volunteers have used their lifetime of skills and experience
to meet community needs. In addition to helping others, older volunteers are also
helping themselves by living active, healthy lives through volunteering. A growing
body of research points to mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering,
including lower mortality rates, increased strength and energy, decreased rates
of depression, and fewer physical limitations. With nearly one in every five Americans
projected to be age 60 or older by 2030, a great opportunity exists to engage older
Americans in service to meet critical community needs while contributing to longer,
healthier lives.
According to data from the Corporation for National and Community Service, 26,872
older adults serve in 61 projects throughout New York State, contributing their
time and talents in one of three Senior Corps programs. Foster Grandparents serve
one-on-one as tutors and mentors to more than 6,500 young people who have
special needs. Senior Companions help more than 2,400 homebound seniors and
other adults maintain independence in their own homes. RSVP volunteers conduct safety
patrols for local police departments, protect the environment, tutor and mentor
youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services through more than
2,700 groups across New York.
Older Volunteers Honored by the State Office for the Aging on the Senior Citizens’
Day
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) celebrates Senior Citizens’ Day
each year during May, recognized nationally as Senior Citizens Month. The event
is sponsored by the New York State Office for the Aging, its Advisory Committees
and Legislative partners to acknowledge the significant contributions made by older
New Yorkers to their communities across the State. This year’s event took place
on May 8, with the theme “Honoring Those Who Help Others and Empower Their Communities.”
Each year, a group of older New Yorkers are nominated by the offices for aging in
each county and invited to Albany to be recognized for their contributions and take
part in the Senior Citizens’ Day celebrations. As in the past, this year’s nominees
were an exceptional group of older volunteers whose significant contributions impact
the lives of many people, young and old.
The honorees and their families attended a recognition ceremony at the State Capitol,
where they were greeted by Greg Olsen, NYSOFA Acting Director, Senator David Valesky,
Chair of the Senate Aging Committee and Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Chairs of the
Assembly Aging Committee.
The New York State Commission salutes our Senior Volunteers across the state!