College Honors Senior Volunteers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: September 10, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574 - 4244

Sister Jude DePalma Awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of SUNY Rockland Community College

Suffern, NY - The SUNY Rockland Community College Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will host a luncheon to honor its "Volunteer of the Year" and other award-winners. Of the 600 volunteers, 44 are over the age of 90.

RSVP volunteers serve more than 100 local non-profit agencies. In 2007, they donated 120,028 hours of their time and expertise to their fellow Rockland County citizens. Their efforts are estimated to have a monetary value of $2,341,747.

The 35th annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, to be held on Wednesday, September 24, Noon - 3 p.m., will follow an Expo, 10 a.m. – Noon, where companies that provide services to seniors will present information. The luncheon will be held at the Platzl Brauhaus in Pomona.

Awards/Honorees:

Volunteer of the Year: Sister Jude DePalma

A 69-year-old resident for 50 years of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary Convent in Sparkill, DePalma has volunteered 9,052 hours to the members of the Thorpe Senior Center.  Since 1996, her volunteer history includes running groups such as reading, poetry, and arts and crafts. She also provides clerical support as needed.

Spirit of RSVP (Volunteer): Sherman Baker

An 80-year-old Pearl River resident, Baker has been an RSVP volunteer since 2002.  During that time he has donated 1,468 hours of service to the citizens of Rockland County.  His volunteer positions have included:  Environmental Educator, Tales for Tots (Childcare Resources of Rockland), Fundraiser, and Humor Therapist (Clowns-R-Us).

Spirit of RSVP (Private Citizen): Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, SUNY Rockland Community College.

Wood has been instrumental in the positive forward movement of RSVP, which is sponsored by SUNY Rockland. He is supportive of new program offerings, attends many of the volunteer recognition ceremonies, and tries to make personal contact with as many of the volunteers as possible, either in person or by written correspondence.

Volunteer Workstation of the Year: Northern Services Group, Inc.

Brenda Greenberg, Director of Volunteers for Northern Services Group, has a record of skillfully guiding the RSVP volunteers, maximizing their effectiveness.  RSVP volunteers serve five locations that fall under the umbrella of Northern Services Group, Inc., Since it signed on as a workstation in 2004, 108 volunteers have volunteered there for a total of 55,343 hours.

For more information, contact Gerri Zabusky, Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), at 845-356-6818, gzabusky@sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.