They are called precious gems, hidden pearls and are considered to be priceless. They are the 663 senior citizens who make up the volunteers of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Wednesday, a lunch was held in their honor at the Hewitt Union Ballroom commemorating 35 years of community service to Oswego County.

Bernie Henderson, retired vice president of SUNY Oswego, served as emcee for the event and the Rev. Bruce Schrader provided the invocation and benediction. Schrader brought a box with him to the podium containing gemstones representative of the volunteers.

“This little box contains a handful of gemstones; some rough cut, others smooth; some which sparkle and dazzle; some which quietly show their worth just by being known as gems,” said Schrader. “ … This afternoon, Lord, this room is like a larger box filled with precious gems. Only these gems are men and women; they are wearing many colors, they are short or tall, but all sparkle and dazzle and quietly show their worth by sharing the gifts, which they have with other members of our community.”

These folks, he said, though some of their days are interrupted by doctors’ appointments, have not given in to sitting in the rocking chair except when they are resting, or their hands are busy knitting hats for newborns.

“These are people up and going; these are concerned, active senior citizens who are on a mission,” Schrader said. “A mission to improve the life and the well-being of the people of Oswego, Fulton and surrounding towns and villages.”

The luncheon included dignitaries such as State Sen. Darrel Aubertine, D-Aubertine, and Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, who both addressed the volunteers as well as Oswego County Legislator Paul Santore, R-Oswego. Congressman John McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, was not able to attend, but sent a special proclamation, which was read and presented to Ellen Wahl, director of RSVP.

Straight from Las Vegas, Liberace (Tom Milam) and his brother George (Helen Milam) made a special appearance and, after being introduced to the enthusiastic crowd, took time to visit with each table, handing out colorful beads and personally thanking the volunteers. After the luncheon, volunteers around the room got a chance to speak about their experience with RSVP as well as guests like Chrystal Hoyt, volunteer coordinator for Harborfest, and Judy Barker of the Senior Division of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), who used the opportunity to thank the RSVP volunteers.

“I see lots of people here who help us out with our meal program and I have some very bashful volunteers here, so I’m going to talk for them,” Barker said. She said they have many, many volunteers who work in OCO … in the senior division, driving meals to other seniors, helping at senior sites, serving food and helping with activities, as well as taking food to the senior high rise.

“We couldn’t do it without these volunteers,” Barker said, “and I know for a fact they all enjoy what they are doing. It’s seniors helping seniors here and we appreciate every last one of them.”
Wahl reiterated how much the RSVP volunteers mean to the community, explaining how she came up with the theme for the luncheon, “Precious Gems.”

“I honed in on the word precious — yes, that fits them … rare, fragile, not to be taken for granted,” she said.

Webster’s definition of the word, she said, is “of great value.”

“We’ve got in the county over 24,000 senior citizens and 663 of them are RSVP volunteers,” Wahl said. “That’s pretty valuable, pretty rare. In fact, it’s 2 ½ percent of the senior population. So, you’re a rarified group.”

Different jewels were used to identify longevity of volunteer service, diamond representing 10 years or more.

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, given to those reaching 4,000 hours of community service, was given this year to Charles Hutcheson, Dora Traphagen and Paula Winn. Overall, 34 Presidential Awards have been given to RSVP members. Aubertine brought certificates from Washington recognizing these members.

Another group recognized with roses were members of the “90s Club,” those who are age 90 or older.

RSVP began on an island in New York, originally called SERVE — Serve and Enrich Retirement Through Volunteer Service. From their example, RSVP was created in 1971, with RSVP of Oswego County being born in 1973 with 150 volunteers helping 21 agencies by donating 9,000 hours that first year.

Today, RSVP helps more then 100 nonprofit agencies with more than 90,000 hours, targeting the most critical needs in the county. They are located at 103 Rich Hall in SUNY Oswego.
For more information, call 312-2317.