Federation of Organizations hosted the 33rd Annual Senior Expo and Gala Luncheon held on Friday, June 4th at the Melville Marriot. This year’s event focused on the remarkable ability of Federation’s Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion volunteers, to bring vital services to the community. “We are doing more with less, but we are getting the needed services out to the individuals who need them, especially our Foster Grandparents who work with children in the English as a Second Language program,” said Ruth DelCol, Director of Development, Federation of Organizations.

“Our senior volunteers are full of life and joy which they bring to the children of Suffolk County. Our current economy makes the need for these programs even more critical then at any other time said Barbara Faron, Federation of Organizations’, Chief Executive Officer. Senior Companions, have a direct impact on the quality of life that many Suffolk County seniors have.”

The “Granny Award”, the highest honor that Federation gives, in recognition of extraordinary support, was given to New York State Senator, Brian Foley who is in the process of helping Federation of Organizations to obtain a $150,000 capital grant which will aid in the renovation of Federation’s new building in Medford. The building will service over 1700 people in the Brookhaven area alone.

The Keynote speaker for the luncheon, Greg Olsen, New York State office of the Aging was a source of encouragement to the volunteers. His remarks about senior volunteers focused on the great benefit they are to society, given their experience, their energy and their desire to give back to the community.

Dr. John Williams, Superintendent of Amityville Schools and Dr. Alise Guarnaschelli, Principal of Unity Drive Kindergarten Center spoke of the tremendous asset the Foster Grandparents are in assisting the children especially those involved with the English as a Second Language program.

The Foster Grandparent Program partners local senior citizen volunteers with special needs children in schools, Head Start centers, preschools and other community locations. Currently, over 170 Foster Grandparents serve as mentors and tutors to over 700 children daily throughout Suffolk County.

Federation also sponsors the Senior Companion Program. This program allows active seniors the opportunity to help frail seniors who are homebound. Because of the tremendous success of these programs in communities all across Long Island, numerous corporate sponsors, including Bank of America, CA, Inc., The New York Community Bank Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings Bank, The Knapp Swezey Foundation, Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP, National Grid, State Bank of Long Island, TLC Transportation and The Townwide Fund of Huntington, Inc.

Federation of Organizations is a large, multi-faceted, not-for-profit human service agency headquartered in West Babylon with community centers in Babylon, Patchogue and other sites throughout Long Island. For over 35 years, Federation has been helping people to help themselves by providing much-needed assistance in employment, crisis intervention, money management, emergency food and clothing, housing, mental health counseling and personal advocacy.

To find out more about these programs, call 631-669-5355 extension 1102, or visit Federation’s website at www.fedoforg.org.

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