The annual Doubleday Babcock Senior Center Volunteer Recognition Day took place on April 22. This year the seniors themselves picked Sylvester Durrant as their Volunteer of the Year and the staff chose Catherine Messera as their Volunteer of the Year.

DBSC Executive Director Barbara Hadel gave a brief history of Volunteer Recognition Day saying that in the mid-80s some seniors felt they were not adequately thanked for their volunteer efforts. "So, in true DBSC fashion, we asked what they would like. They said they would like to select a volunteer of their own to recognize. Soon after the staff said 'there are people here who make things go smoother.' Therefore today, there are two volunteers to honor," she said.

Dee Rizzo, the DBSC seniors advisory board president made the presentation to Sylvester Durrant. She said, "When Sylvester Durrant retired in 1988 he joined Doubleday Babcock Senior Center. His first program involvement was planning and conducting Bingo games on the bus to Atlantic City and not too long afterward at our monthly Bingo Dine-Out parties. In 1994 he volunteered to drive local residents to and from their medical and dental appointments in a vehicle donated to us by the county executive, which was replaced with a new vehicle by the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs in 1999. In the mid-1900s Sylvester became interested in representing our senior center at the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs on the Technical Advisory Committees as a committee member and in 2000 as the elected chair.

"Sylvester has been involved in a wide variety of fund-raising and program activities over the past 12 years, which have put him in a position to act as our community ambassador and senior center spokesperson. As a matter of fact, he can be relied upon to volunteer whenever we ask for help. He has become a vocal and effective advocate of our center and all of our members and a mainstay of our annual fund-raising calendar," said Ms. Rizzo.

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Anthony Macagnone said of Mr. Durrant, "He's one of us, a member of the Carpenter's Union. It's no surprise Sylvester is being recognized as the Volunteer of the Year. He has a rich history of volunteering to help men of the union and to teach young kids how to work. We're very proud of him at Carpenter's Local 77."

Barbara Hadel made the second presentation. She said the staff felt the person they were proposing was very special, that there are people who work behind the scenes and help make things happen. "Like magic, she's there whenever needed: Catherine Messera is the epitome of the behind the scene's person who somehow magically shows up whenever there is something that needs doing. She joined the center on Dec. 12, 1989 because she was interested in taking trips. An early one, she expanded her participation by becoming involved in the Friendly Visiting committee volunteering to go on the bimonthly nursing home visits.

"Then in 2003 she agreed to become chair of the Hospitality Committee when the current chairperson moved away. The staff knows that Catherine is both willing and able to help out wherever she is needed. We consider her as the 'go to' person for all of the nitty-gritty tasks that help the center run so smoothly. She collates mailings, decorates for parties, helps cook specialty items for celebrations and never says no when we ask for help," said Ms. Hadel. She presented Mrs. Messera with a bouquet, as did Terry Aqualino, her daughter.

Terry Messera Aqualino said of her mother, Catherine Messera, "The senior center's made a big difference in her life. She likes being here with the seniors." Mrs. Messera has two daughters, Terry who is known for Miss Terri's Dance School (now closed) and Linda Messera, a special education teacher in Glen Cove. Terry has two sons, Christopher and Michael, and she teaches aerobics and tap at DBSC.

Ms. Hadel said, "In the nominating process the group not only recognized the value of Sylvester and Catherine but wanted to thank all the students from AHRC who volunteer at the center. They have been coming here since shortly after we moved in, in 1998. They help with the portioning of the meal and they run the commercial dishwasher. They do all the trays, utensils and dishes used in meal service. There are about 30 different individuals who come here on a rotating basis. In 2001 they were all recognized at our Volunteer Recognition Luncheon."

Many elected officials attended the recognition day including New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, Assemblyman David Sidikman, Nassau County Presiding Officer Legislator Judy Jacobs; Legislator Diane Yatauro; Town Councilwomen Mary McCaffrey and Rose Walker; Councilman Anthony Macagnone; Town Clerk Steve Labriola and his appointed deputy John Canning.

Senator Marcellino has presented Mr. Durrant with proclamations before and said, "Sylvester is my hero." Of the center he said, "It is not an institution, this is a home. You look forward to meeting with your friends and neighbors on a regular basis - and the AHRC kids do a terrific job." He added to the volunteers being recognized, "There is nothing better than to be elected by your peers for doing good work."

Assemblyman David Sidikman brought a joke along with him and said, "I'm the oldest and tallest elected official. I'm a senior citizen and proud of it." He thanked the seniors for staying in Nassau County saying, "We need you, your experience, wisdom and we need your dollars."

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs said, "It's always a pleasure to come here. There is a certain warmth and graciousness and love. It feels like home." She said, "I got involved in government because I cared. I feel sorry for those who didn't. The high road to service encompasses integrity, understanding and caring. People don't care how much we know until they understand how much we care."

Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro said, "You inspire us to inspire the young people coming up behind us. I tip my hat to you!"

Councilwoman Rose Walker thanked each and every volunteer for all they do for the community saying, "When there's a job to be done, who do you go to but a busy lady."

Councilman Anthony Macagnone spoke about Sylvester Durrant saying, "Like me he is a union carpenter. He's used to getting up early and working his butt off and going home to fix his own house. We are proud of Sylvester and I hope everyone realizes how important volunteers are."

Town Clerk Steve Labriola showed he had heard Mr. Sidikman's joke by saying, "No joke, I must be the shortest and the youngest elected official here." He repeated the famous saying: "Volunteers are unpaid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless."

Lois McGloin, project coordinator for RSVP at the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs said after 22 years in retail she works for the county and that she herself was a volunteer - at the AHRC. "At the end of a day when I'm miserable and tired I go where they are thrilled to see me and it changes my perspective," she said.

Barbara Hadel told listeners to look at the program where there was a list of volunteers to the center. "Tell me if I forgot any names. There are 126 individuals and groups and 170 names, probably they are here in the room now. We are all volunteers. You are what makes this center work," she said.

Chris Leonardis, the new DBSC program coordinator added her thanks to all the people that help the center all year long.