Office for Aging honors Shirley Walter and Charlene Wisnewski for volunteer service
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Charlene Wisnewski, right, of Medina accepts a “Volunteer of the Year” award today from the Office for the Aging. Wisnewski is joined up front by Melissa Blanar, OFA director, and County Legislator Skip Draper who presented Wisnewski with a citation from State Sen. Rob Ortt.
The OFA held its annual Spring Jubilee luncheon today and about 160 senior citizens had lunch at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The 160 is the biggest crowd for the event since before Covid-19 hit in 2020.
Wisnewski is a retired civilian worker from the Albion Correctional Facility. The past two years she has volunteered as a driver for the OFA, taking seniors to appointments.
Wisnewski last year drove seniors to 55 appointments, logging 952 miles. She said she took about 15 different people, including three veterans. Two of those veterans are legally blind.
“You meet so many wonderful people,” Wisnewski said about volunteering as a driver.
Shirley Walter of Barre also was recognized as a “Volunteer of the Year.” She is shown being presented with an award by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Walter is retired after a career as an accountant and bookkeeper. She also served on the Barre Town Board.
She has volunteered with the OFA at a new Caregivers Connections Respite program, which started in July at the Albion Academy on East Academy Street in Albion where the Meals on Wheels program is based. The respite program offers a break for caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays each month.
Walter faithfully is there spending time with people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. She has lunch with them, does crafts together, and chats.
“It is rewarding just to listen to them,” Walter said. “They have a lot to say.”
Walter also joins other volunteers in helping the OFA prepare the agency’s monthly newsletter, The Friendly Carrier, that goes to about 3,200 addresses.
Office for the Aging and Arc GLOW staff hold a paper chain that was intended to show how the group of 160 were all connected, with no one alone.
The luncheon was part of the OFA’s annual celebration in May of “Older Americans Month.”
County Legislator John Fitzak read a proclamation about the month. This year’s theme for the month is “Powered by Connections.”
“May is Older Americans Month, a time for us to recognize and honor Orleans County older adults and their immense influence on every facet of American society,” Fitzak said in reading the proclamation. “Whereas, through their wealth of life experience and wisdom, older adults guide our younger generations and carry forward abundant cultural and historical knowledge.”
Vicki Havholm, nutrition program manager for Arc GLOW, emphasized the message that senior citizens aren’t alone and there are many services and opportunities to stay connected in the community.
Kristina Suski-Jewell sings “Sweet Caroline” while entertaining the crowd before the luncheon. She sang for about 45 minutes.
