QUEENS INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON AGING HONORS THIRTY SENIOR VOLUNTEERS
Kew Gardens, New York, April 25, 2017 — The Queens Interagency Council on Aging (QICA) honored thirty senior volunteers at its annual Salute to Senior Service Volunteers on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY.
Outstanding volunteers representing Queens Senior Centers, Adult Day Care Centers and NORC’s (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) from throughout the Borough of Queens were honored for their commitment to community service.
These awards are presented each year to recognize the importance of volunteers to sustain essential operations of our older adult centers throughout Queens. These honorees perform a wide range of duties from clerical to administrative functions, as well as kitchen and home-bound meal preparation, blood pressure monitoring, instruction in language arts, computers, Yoga, exercise, and healthcare, etc. (See attachment: Complete list of honorees and their duties.)
Ms. Patima Bhagwandin, Director of Volunteers, Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation was the featured speaker with a presentation on the Value of Volunteering.
An audience made up of nearly 100 family members, workplace colleagues and other guests were present to cheer on each honoree as they were rewarded with a certificate of distinction and a carry bag of gifts and specialty items donated by program sponsor Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center and more than seven proprietary aging services organizations.
Founded in 1971, QICA is the only borough-wide coalition of over one hundred senior agencies, organizations, and individuals, providing services to senior adults. Through education, collaboration and advocacy, QICA speak “With One Voice” to City, State, and Federal officials, to improve the quality of life, health and cultural enrichment of older adults.
Event Photo attached.
Salute To Senior Service Volunteers
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
HONOREES & DUTIES PERFORMED
1. Melido Angomas, NORC Forest Hills, Queens Community House (4 YRS) Member Outreach, Distribute Flyers
2. Randy Bishop, Queens Center for Gay Seniors, Queens Community House (7YRS) Driver – Homebound/Appointments, Visitor Program
3. Rose Marie Cerminaro, Kew Gardens Community Center, Queens Community House (1YR) Goodwill Ambassador/Attends & Reports Back On Outside Meetings/Bakesale, And Events Helper
4. Helene Chusid, Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation (1 YR) Gift Shop Volunteer
5. Marie Cisek, Pomonok Senior Center – Queens Community House (13YRS) Bingo Caller/Canteen Helper/Greeter/Set Up Kitchen Volunteer
6. Mary Coleman, JASA Naturally Retiring Community (NORC), Jamaica, NY (10YRS) Blood Pressure Monitoring/Fundraising/Community Outreach/Monthly Events Organizer
7. Socorro Cora, Forest Hills Senior House – Queens Community House (10 YRS) Translator/Lunch Registration/Lunch Service
8. Michelle Esposito, YAI Seeing Beyond Disabilities, Bayside Seniors Program (10 YRS) Dedicated General Agency Volunteer/ Friendly, Cooperative Helper
9. Cathy Frank, Ridgewood Older Adult Center & Services, Inc. (10 YRS)
Bingo Caller/Registration Desk Greeter/Coffee Table Service & Bake Sales
10. Monica Ho, Selfhelp Innovative Senior Center, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc. (3 1/2YRS) Lunch Services/Linguistic Skills Interpreter – English, Cantonese, Mandarin/“I’m younger than most of the others & I should do more – I also feel good in helping others.”
11. Barbara Jackson, Robert Couche Senior Center (Length Of Service Unknown)
“New dawn exercise instructor – designed to promote healthy lifestyle – improve quality of life – for longer healthier life.”
12. Leroy Jackson, Robert Couche Senior Center (Length Of Service Unknown)
“New dawn exercise instructor – designed to promote healthy lifestyle – improve quality of life – for longer healthier life.”
13. Alice Jaworsky, HANAC Harmony JVL Innovative Senior Center (9YRS)
Long Time Center librarian/Head Of Photo Club/Advisory Council Secretary
14. Janet Kelly, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, CCNS/Catherine Sheridan Senior Center (6YRS)
Teaching Knitting & Crocheting
15. Myung Chul Kong, The Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc., KCS, Corona Neighborhood Senior Center (18YRS)
Assists With Kitchen & Home Bound Meal Preparation –-300 to 500 Meals Per Day/ Clean Up And General Duties – Indispensable To Center
16. Joseph Lester, Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center (11 YRS)
AARP Defensive Driving Course Instructor/Chair-Advocacy Committee And Member Of Advisory Council
17. Deanna Marrow, Rochdale Village Senior Center (3YRS)
Greeter/Ticket Table Host/ Dependable And Reliable – “A Team Player.”
18. Louis Mascaro, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, CCNS/Howard Beach Senior Center (17 YRS)
Multi Skilled Volunteer/Front Desk Registration & Greeter/Lunch Prep Work/Advisory Committee & Exec Board /Decorator For Parties/Driver
19. Mary D. Maynard, Queens Interagency Council on Aging (QICA) (7YRS)
QICA Volunteer Board Member/ Events Food Service And Registration Staff
20. Juan Mercado, Florence E. Smith Senior Services (1 YR)
Packing Food Items For Meals-on-Wheels program – “A Real Asset To Kitchen Staff.”
21. Ligia Munoz, Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Corona Sr Cntr (Less Than 1 YR) Provides Volunteer Income Tax Services To Seniors
22. Winnie Myers, Services Now for Adult Persons, Inc., (SNAP), Eastern Queens
Innovative Senior Center (1YR)
Nutrition Program – Assists With Meals-on-Wheels Prep – 350 items & Center Lunch/ Center Greeter/Helps To Raise Funds Through Snack Purchases.
23. Nestor Orlando Nino, Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPR/HE), Elmhurst Senior Center (10 YRS)
Instructor – Computers/Yoga/Active Member Of Advisory Council Board/ “…devotes his free time to helping them (seniors) feel good about themselves and being part of the community here.”
24. Marie O’Quinn, Elmcor Senior Center (10 YRS)
Types of Services Performed –All / A Volunteer’s Volunteer/Receptionist/Kitchen Aide/Translation Assistant/Dance Class Leader/Trip Coordinator/Advisory Council President/ She Is A “Marie” Of All Trades.
25. Philip Po, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., Latimer Gardens Senior Center (6 YRS) Fundraiser/Trip Coordinator/
26. Nora Reyes, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, Queensbridge Riis Sr. Ctr. (10 YRS)
Assists With Exercise And Dance Sessions/Sets Up Bingo Session/”Senior Shakers” Dance Troupe Member Who Travels To Other Sites Performing And Teaching Dance Steps To Other Older Adults.
27. Rosa Rivera, Rego Park Senior Center – Queens Community House (3 YRS)
Spanish Teacher Who Started Teaching 3 Years Ago With 3 Students. Today There Are 15/ “The Students Are Like A Family – They Celebrate Holidays And Birthdays Together.”
28. Iris Sason, Selfhelp Community Services, Northridge/Brulene/Southridge NORC (4YRS)
All Around Volunteer/Leads “Staywell” Exercise Class/NORC Advisory Council Member/Luncheon Coordinator/Advocates For Program Support With Elected Officials
29. Betty Stubbs, Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA), Rockaway Blvd. Senior Center (9YRS)
“Staywell” Blood Pressure Monitor/Retired Registered Nurse /Attends Center Every Day!
30. Phobe Weiner, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., Austin Street Senior Center (7YRS)
Policy Advisory Council President/Facilitates 3-4 Classes (English Conversation/Drama Group/And Knitting-Crocheting)/ Provides Administrative Support In The Front Office (Answering Phones, Registering New Members, Data Entry And Bookkeeping.)
Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 319 Kew Gardens, New York 11424
Phone (718) 268-5954 / Fax (718) 268-5952 / Email: qicany@aol.com
