CHENANGO COUNTY — Last week, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) held a honoree luncheon in the Hart Lounge at The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany. The luncheon was to honor older New Yorkers who have distinguished themselves in their communities.

“New York's 59 county offices for the aging and their partners nominate an incredible slate of older adults each year who continue to make their communities stronger through their unbelievable volunteer and civic contributions,” said New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen.

Olsen thanked New York's 59 Area Agencies on Aging and the Association on Aging in New York State who are essential partners in the communities.

He stated their work is made possible because of volunteers who donate their time and talents to provide transportation, meal delivery, health insurance counseling, advocacy in skilled care facilities, and much more.

Olsen said this year's ceremony was very special because it was their first in-person ceremony since 2019 due to the pandemic and was also pleased to announce they received a record number of nominations.

Chenango County’s volunteers Chuck and Kathy Miller of New Berlin were nominated to receive the Legislative Resolution Award.

Assemblymen Joe Angelino presented it to both.

New York State Senator Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome said several residents in the 53rd Senate District have been recognized by the New York State Office for the Aging as part of National Older Americans Month.

“Members of older generations have helped build and shape our state and nation,” said Senator Griffo. “These individuals from my Senate District, as well as all the others that were honored by the Office for the Aging, have truly made a difference.”

A few of the nominations stated that “Chuck is constantly going above and beyond, no questions asked.”
Another said “If a client is no longer receiving meals, Chuck will still go to that person’s house from time to time and check on them to see how they're doing.”

Awardees were submitted by Area On Agency directors as an expression of their gratitude for the service of their volunteers.

“I was proud to present this couple with Assembly Resolutions recognizing them for all of the good they do for their Chenango County neighbors,” said Angelino.

“Kathy and Chuck are involved in so much volunteering in their community, it's impossible to list all that they do.”

“I can tell you, if they didn't do what they do, it would be felt by many,” said Angelino.

Kathy is a native of Oxford and brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her volunteer work with the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging. She has served as a case manager and counselor for the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP), which provides free and objective counseling to older adults on Medicare and other health insurance options.

Kathy said, “I worked at the Office for Aging for about eight years and retired in June of last year. I was awarded the Volunteer recognition for Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program.

Kathy said it was very impressive to hear about all of the other volunteers across the state.

“They put on a really nice luncheon and the Senator and Assemblyman were there with the resolutions for each person from each area,” she said.

“It was quite an honor to receive those,” Kathy added.

Now retired, Kathy volunteers her time during the agency's busy HIICAP season, extending her genuine care and knowledge to her clients.

“We would like to impress upon the great need for people to volunteer for meal delivery and also the insurance counseling here in Chenango County,” she said.

“The more the merrier,” Kathy said.

Chuck added, “It’s one thing to be in one of the bigger towns or cities, like in Norwich, but in the rural areas, the aging population needs the communication.”

“They need youth coming in and more than just Kathy and I supply,” he said. “Hopefully we see more of that happening.”

Originally from Latham, Chuck's career in sales and management prepared him for a life of service in retirement.

Chuck said, “I retired in September 2020 and when I left work it was during COVID, my wife suggested I should look at some of the options to volunteer for the seniors.”

He soon signed up to deliver meals and supported medical transportation services.

“Although I only spend about 45 minutes delivering meals, out of that time about 20 minutes is spent talking with the seniors and finding out what’s going on in their lives and hopefully making them feel better about what is going on,” he said.

“It really impresses me how much these people appreciate what you do for them and they are more like my family than just someone I drop off a meal to,” he added.

“You can't understand how big of a help volunteering is, until you jump in and do it,” Chuck said.

Kathy and Chuck Miller live by the quote of James Durst: ‘Help one another. There's no time like the present, and no present like the time.’

The New York State Office for the Aging combats ageism and negative stereotypes by providing facts about the value of older New Yorkers to family, friends, community, and the economy.

It is the mission of the New York State Office for the Aging to help all older New Yorkers to be as independent as possible for as long as possible, with an emphasis on hard-to-serve and diverse populations.

NYSOFA fulfills this mission through advocacy, development, and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with a network of public and private state and community organizations.

For more information or to volunteer in Chenango County call Chenango County Area Agency on Aging at 607-337-1770.