Barbara Filipiak recognized by state for volunteer work as a senior citizen

Staff Reports Posted 6 November 2023 at 4:45 pm

MEDINA – The state Office for Aging has honored a Medina woman as one of 91 senior citizens throughout the state recognized for their volunteer service in their communities.

Barbara Filipiak

Barbara Filipiak is a dedicated volunteer who devotes countless hours to various organizations. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, she volunteered for the Orleans and Genesee County Public Health Department, providing vital assistance with essential supplies. She worked at every vaccination clinic, and her exceptional efficiency and organizational skills made her the first to step up when help was needed.

Her volunteer work also includes the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAC Thrift Store and Emergency Food Pantry). She also takes on numerous volunteer responsibilities within Medina Holy Trinity Parish and holds several officer roles within the Catholic Daughters organization.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Medina Historical Society and is an active member of the Cobblestone Society, Sandstone Society, and the Friends of the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. At the local Alpha Theta Chapter of the Woman’s Educator Society, she has held positions such as president, treasurer, and rules committee member over the years, making a significant impact both locally and at the state level.

Born in Eden, New York, she is the oldest of six siblings. She attended Immaculate Academy in Hamburg, followed by D’Youville College in Buffalo, and she completed her education at SUNY Brockport. She embarked on her teaching career in Medina in September 1972, dedicating herself to educating third- and fourth-graders for 33 years before retiring in June 2005.

Filipiak and the other honorees were celebrated during a livestream event on Nov. 3. The award-winners were nominated by New York’s 59 county Offices for the Aging and their partners who identified older adults making substantial contributions in their communities through volunteering and civic engagement.

“It is my distinct honor to recognize this year’s nominees who make the state a better place to live and age for all New Yorkers through their decades of volunteerism, civic engagement, and selflessness,” said Greg Olsen, director of the state Office for the Aging. “We often don’t think of older New Yorkers as an economic and social powerhouse, but that is exactly who they are, and it is our honor to recognize these contributions and showcase their incredible value. I also thank our 59 county offices for the aging and the Association on Aging in New York for their daily efforts serving millions of older New Yorkers.”