Federation of Organizations’ 31st Annual Senior Expo and Gala Luncheon celebrated those involved in the highly successful Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs. These programs have contributed tremendously to the quality of life of both the young and the old. Guests were happily treated to an appearance by Msgr. Thomas Hartman of “The God Squad,” who has been an outstanding supporter of the programs provided by Federation of Organizations.
Fundraising Chairman Robert Del Col and Special Guest Speaker Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy noted the depth of commitment on the part of the senior volunteers and referred to the overwhelming achievements of the both programs. Hundreds of Suffolk County students and homebound elderly have been the recipients of the care and concern that the senior volunteers have given.
New York State Senator John Flanagan gave the keynote address. He spoke of his relationship with his own grandparents and the impact that they had on him. He explained that his grandparents were able to make the world a great place simply by being themselves and sharing their love with him. The Senator’s longtime support for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs stems from the notion that government should partner with agencies such as Federation of Organizations, which are experts in their fields, to help meet the needs of local communities.
The tremendous success of the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs drew numerous corporate sponsors that pledged their support including Bank of America, as well as CA, Inc., Rauch Foundation, The Knapp/Swezey Foundation, The Roslyn Savings Foundation, Astoria Federal Savings, State Bank of Long Island, Corporate Synergies Group, Inc., The Townwide Fund of Huntington, Inc., Holtz Rubenstein Reminick, LLP and National Grid.
Sponsored in Suffolk County by Federation of Organizations, the Foster Grandparent Program is a national program that pairs local senior citizen volunteers with at-risk children in schools, Head Start centers, preschools and other community locations. Currently over 150 Foster Grandparents serve as mentors and tutors to more than 2100 children per year in over 50 sites throughout Suffolk County.
Federation of Organizations also sponsors the Senior Companion Program in Suffolk County. The program is a senior-to-senior volunteer program that provides older individuals with the opportunity to help their peers by offering direct support, friendship and encouragement as well as one-to-one assistance to elderly individuals who are frail and/or homebound.
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured from left to right: Foster Grandparent Eleanor McGuire; Ruth DelCol, Director of Development, Federation of Organizations; Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy; Foster Grandparent Madeline Patterson; New York State Senator John Flanagan; Barbara Faron, Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Organizations; Holly Rhodes-Teague, Director, Suffolk County Office for the Aging.
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