SUNY Oswego’s RSVP honors longtime helpers at Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

The spirit of service was celebrated Sept. 22 as SUNY Oswego’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Oswego County recognized volunteers for their longstanding commitment to communities throughout the region at its 53rd annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Held at the Oswego Elks Lodge, the annual luncheon celebrated the contributions of RSVP volunteers and recognized three individuals with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The awards honor volunteers who have completed a minimum of 4,000 documented hours of community service.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were Deborah Halliday, Gary Roy and Joan Southwell.

The luncheon also recognized RSVP volunteers age 90 and older through its 90s Club Awards. This year’s honorees included Jean Feeney, Nancy Hopkins, Jeannette Spicer, Frank Bickle and Rose Woods. Additional volunteers recognized for their service included Rachel Brooks, Ellie Filburn and Sharon Seguin.

The event highlighted the breadth of RSVP’s work across Oswego County, with representatives from several of the program’s partner organizations sharing how volunteers contribute to their missions and strengthen connections throughout their communities.

Doreen Bergman, interim director of the Fulton Public Library, spoke about the role RSVP volunteers play in supporting the library and other public and nonprofit organizations, helping provide needed assistance while creating meaningful opportunities for volunteers.

Therese Watchus, director of Senior Camp at Camp Hollis, highlighted the program’s focus on providing older adults with opportunities for community, connection, skill-building and recreation.

Ellen Wahl, retired RSVP director and current board president at the Oswego Music Hall, shared her experience working with the program and encouraged volunteers to explore opportunities to support local cultural organizations.

John Finocchiarro, president of the Friends of History in Fulton, discussed volunteer opportunities supporting the Pratt House, including maintenance, exhibits, bookkeeping, publicity and other activities.

Deborah Halliday, director of RSVP’s Osteo Bone Builders program, also highlighted the program’s reach across Oswego County. Osteo Bone Builders operates at 17 sites throughout the county and provides opportunities for older adults to participate in evidence-informed strength, balance and bone-health activities.

RSVP volunteers are an important part of the community fabric across Oswego County, contributing their time and experience to a wide range of nonprofit, cultural, educational and public organizations.

"For over five decades, this program has been built on the simple yet powerful idea that the experience, passion and wisdom of our volunteers are among our community's most valuable resources,” said Ryan Gillett, RSVP project director. “You continue to give back, proving that dedication to one's neighbors has no retirement date.”

Also attending the luncheon were New York State Sen. Chris Ryan, Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino, Fulton Mayor Jim Rice and a representative from New York State Assemblyman Will Barclay’s office. State representatives presented citations to the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients in recognition of their years of community service.

Founded in Oswego County in 1973, RSVP engages adults age 55 and older in meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the community. The program is administered by SUNY Oswego through the university’s Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations (OWIER).

Today, more than 282 individuals volunteer through RSVP at nonprofit and community organizations throughout Oswego County. Through these partnerships, volunteers contribute to programs and services that address community needs while providing older adults with opportunities for connection, purpose and continued engagement.

RSVP is funded through grants from AmeriCorps Seniors, United Way of Oswego County and the New York State Office for the Aging.

RSVP is staffed by SUNY Oswego’s Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations’ staff members Ryan Gillett (director of workforce innovation and community impact and RSVP project director) and Tracie Wallace, RSVP program coordinator, and is supported by a dedicated RSVP Advisory Council, who play an integral role in the success of the recognition event each year.

For more information about RSVP of Oswego County or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit oswego.edu/owier or email [email protected].