Albany, NY – Sullivan County’s Gayle Irving and Sabina Toomey travelled last
month to Albany to each receive the NYS Office for the Aging’s “Older New
Yorker” award.
“Gayle and Sabina exemplify the kind of 55+ volunteers we have in our
County,” said Sullivan County Office for the Aging Director Lise-Anne Deoul,
who accompanied the duo to the ceremony. “They give without thought of
getting anything in return, but I’m so happy that the State was able to
recognize them in this wonderful way!”
Irving volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and currently serves as a
community representative, community educator, and on the Orange/Sullivan
Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee. “Don’t let opportunities to help others
pass by,” the Grahamsville resident says. “By giving your time and skills,
volunteering strengthens community bonds and supports those in need. It also
creates positive change by learning new perspectives and building a more
resilient, compassionate New York. You will find the reward is priceless.”
For 22 years, Toomey has been a very involved member of the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP) Advisory Council Fundraising Committee and a member
of the Sullivan County Office of Aging Advisory Council. This past year, as
a member of her Sullivan County Women’s Group, she engaged in a passionate
effort to educate the community and legislators about domestic violence and
the current status of support available in her county. “I genuinely feel
that volunteering helps me pay back for what I have been given: family,
friends, a beautiful place to live and work, enough to eat, a warm place to
sleep and … the peace of mind knowing that I have helped someone else feel
thankful, too.”
“These dedicated individuals are powering connections in so many profound
ways, and New York State expresses profound gratitude for this spirit of
altruism, which is a legacy of lasting benefit and inspiration to all New
Yorkers,” stated Governor Kathy Hochul, who proclaimed May as Older
Americans Month in New York State.
[Older NYers 2025]
Celebrating Older New Yorkers Day with close to 100 others in Albany were,
from the left, Sullivan County Office for the Aging Director Lise-Anne
Deoul, Debbie Bradley, 2025 awardee Sabina Toomey, NYS Office for the Aging
Director Greg Olsen, 2025 awardee Gayle Irving, Karin Pantel and Sullivan
Volunteers Coordinator Monika Roosa.
