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National Volunteer Week at Sarah Neuman

In recognition of National Volunteer Week (April 18-24) Sarah Neuman Center recently honored dozens of individuals, families, and community groups – and a frisky feline – at its 18th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
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National Volunteer Week at Sarah Neuman
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National Volunteer Week at Sarah Neuman

SRN_Volunteer1

In recognition of National Volunteer Week (April 18-24) Sarah Neuman Center recently honored dozens of individuals, families, and community groups – and a frisky feline – at its 18th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. More than 120 volunteers attended the event at the 300-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center.

The evening was especially memorable for the Center because the program marked its 18th year in existence. In Jewish tradition, the word for “life” in Hebrew is “chai.” The two Hebrew letters that make up the word “chai” are chet and yud. In Gematria (the numerical value of Hebrew letters), chai is equivalent to 8 and yud is equivalent to 10. So “chai”, chet and yud together, equals 18 and tends to be a very special number.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Golden Paw Award for Outstanding Pet Therapy by Sarah Neuman’s Pet Ambassador “Buddy”, a 1 ½ -year-old Rat Terrier to “Panther”, a 5-year-old black and white house cat, owned by the Herzfeld family of Mount Vernon.

Other awards and recipients included:

  • The Ivy Voris Outstanding Volunteer Award given to Anthony Chiodo of Larchmont;
  • The Oren Brandt-Rauf Outstanding Junior Volunteer Award to Caroline Cole of White Plains;
  • Bernard Wasko Memorial Award for Excellence in Service to Jalisa Salmon of New Rochelle;
  • Volunteer of the First Quarter of 2010 went to Michael Sicular of Port Chester;
  • And Special Recognition went to Kate Hulbert of Rye Brook

A number of volunteers were also honored for years of dedicated service.

  • A pin for 15 years of service went to:
  • Gloria Argenta of Mamaroneck
  • Josephine Bartilucci of Mamaroneck
  • Michael Sicular of Port Chester
  • Dorothy Sunshine of New Rochelle
  • Marilyn Thiede of Mamaroneck

SRN_Volunteer_Dinner3Pins for ten and five years of service were also handed out during the evening.  The program included a musical performance and sing-along by the Golden Apple Chorus of Westchester, a member of the Sweet Adeline International Organization and a special performance during dinner by twins, Mark and Ethan Levine-Weinberg of Hartsdale, who have been visiting the Center faithfully every Sunday to play trumpet and trombone over the last four years of high school while their mother, Lesley Levine served tea to the residents during teatime.

Community partners and area agencies were honored for their hard work and dedication. They included the Saints John and Paul Church, Larchmont/Mamaroneck Girl Scouts, Larchmont Music Academy, Larchmont Temple, Mamaroneck High School Step Program, Holy Trinity Church, WARC, and the Scarsdale High School Adopt-A-Grandparent Program, and Rye Country Day School. Volunteer services at Sarah Neuman include escorting residents to appointments, serving beverages, assisting in playing quiet games, reading to residents, and visiting with them.

For more information about volunteering at Sarah Neuman, contact Volunteer Director Amy Lionheart at 914-864-5140.