Office for Aging honors volunteers, celebrates 50 years in Orleans

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Kelly Anstey, Associate director of Day Services at ARC GLOW’s nutrition program, explains the role her agency plays in Meals on Wheels. (Right) Melissa Blanar, director of the Orleans County Office for the Aging, greets senior volunteer Ann McElwee of Medina and Bea Young, left, who nominated McElwee for volunteer recognition. Announcement was made at the OFA’s annual Spring Jubilee at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds that McElwee had been chosen to represent Orleans County in Albany where an Outstanding Older Adult will be chosen for New York state.

KNOWLESVILLE – Every year the Orleans County Office for the Aging honors its volunteers at a Spring Jubilee at the Orleans County Fairgrounds. The event this year took place Friday in the Trolley Building at the 4-H Fairgrounds, where a full house of seniors enjoyed lunch, entertainment by The Uptown Groove, announcement of Senior-of-the-Year winners and drawings for prizes.

Orleans County OFA director Melissa Blanar told guests May is Older Americans Month and is a great opportunity to show appreciation for their seniors. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Orleans County OFA, she said.

Assistant director Megan Begins introduced the OFA staff and Advisory Council members.

Kelly Anstey, associate director of Day Services for the ARC GLOW nutrition program said it was a privilege to be there. She explained the ARC works with Meals on Wheels with Vicky Halvholm to provide nutritious meals to seniors at home, in addition to running nutrition sites in Albion and Kendall.

County Legislator John Fitzak reads a proclamation in tribute to the Orleans County OFA’s 50 years in existence, while director Melissa Blanar looks on.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley declared how happy he was to be there with all the older Americans, as he is now one of them. He shared highlights of the recently passed state budget, before presenting a citation to Ann McElwee as the volunteer who will represent Orleans County in Albany where an Outstanding Older Adult will be chosen from the entire state.

Hawley announced his annual Patriots’ Trip to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Sept. 18 to 21, with the possibility of visiting the White House for the first time.

Blanar said she learned from Hawley that Orleans County’s aging services will be receiving some extra funding.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Orleans County OFA, and in honor of that, County Legislator John Fitzak read a proclamation paying tribute to 50 years of growth and support to seniors.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents volunteer Ann McElwee a citation for being chosen as Volunteer of the Year to represent Orleans County in Albany, where an Outstanding Older Adult of the Year will be chosen. OFA director Melissa Blanar is in the middle.

Highlight of the day was announcement of the selection of two outstanding volunteers – Ann McElwee, who was chosen by the Advisory Council to represent Orleans County in Albany for selection of the state’s Outstanding Older Adult of the Year; and Kathy Case, chosen as the Orleans County OFA Volunteer of the Year.

McElwee grew up in Medina, moving to Pennsylvania for college. After college she moved to Oklahoma to serve in Volunteers in Service to America for two years. She returned to Medina, where she has lived ever since.

McElwee worked for seven years at Head Start helping children and families in need. She retired from BOCES as a special education teacher with the Seek and Serve the Handicap program after 30 years of service.

She enjoys volunteering, spending time with friends and traveling.

Over the years, McElwee has volunteered for Hospice of Orleans, OCALS (Adult Learning Services), Lions Club, Medina’s food pantry, Professional Counseling Group working with families, Parents Anonymous, Rape Crisis and Job Corps. She also volunteers her time translating books into brail for the blind and visits friends and family who do not get out and about often.

Seeing her volunteer work as a way to stay active and involved, McElwee says volunteering is “the right thing to do,” an ethic she was taught growing up. She is now living what she learned from her parents, she said.

“Having received so much in my life, it is important to give back,” she said.

“I am very honored and full of pride to be nominated for this,” McElwee said. “I am only doing the things I like to do.”

Bruce Schmidt is in the Lions Club with McElwee, and said she does a lot for them. He also shared how she goes to local farms to help farmworkers. She even takes some on trips to interesting places in the area.

“Her ESL students are so appreciative of her,” Schmidt said.

McElwee, who is 75, said she gets as much as she gives – and sometimes more.

The local OFA Aging Volunteer of the Year is Kathy Case, who was unable to attend Friday’s luncheon. Case volunteers twice a month for the Caregiver Connections Respite program, which provides four hours of respite for caregivers who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia. It takes a special volunteer to help with this program, as it is a demanding role to keep the clients occupied, Blanar said.

Case also volunteers her time monthly to help prepare the Friendly Carrier newsletter which goes to more than 3,300 people.

“We appreciate the time Kathy dedicates to our programs,” Blanar said.

The theme nationwide for Older American’s Month 2025 is “Flip the Script on Aging,” focusing on transforming how society perceives, talks about and approaches aging. Individuals and communities are encouraged to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. The observance is led by the Administration for Community Living. The public is invited to join them in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as they age and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration and connection which come with aging.

The Orleans County OFA invites residents to visit them on Facebook or online at www.orleanscountyny.gov/officefortheaging; and to contribute by volunteering their time to the local OFA office or other community agency; and/or make monetary donations to help support the office and programs.

Friday’s celebration was funded by the New York State Office for the Aging, Administration of Community Living and Orleans County legislature.  The OFA also acknowledges Cornell Cooperative Extension for use of the building, ARC GLOW and local businesses who donated prizes for giveaways.

Megan Bevins, assistant director of the Orleans County OFA, introduces entertainers The Uptown Groove at Friday’s annual Spring Jubilee to recognize seniors.