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Honoring our Seniors

Just when we thought we were the only ones who knew how great our seniors are, seven Riis Settlement senior center participants were given awards for their efforts by various local elected officials and agencies.

On April 5th Ms. Annie Norman was honored by Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer during Women’s History Month.  On April 30th, Ms Francisca Martinez was honored by Queens Interagency Council on Aging for service to the community.  Mr. John D. Smith Sr., 86 is being honored and placed in the Veterans Hall of Fame with the assistance of Senator Michael Giannaris. Ms. Betty Williams and Ms. Dorothy Petersen received the Older American Service Award from Mr. Scott Stringer at the Office of the Comptroller.  And Ms. Betty McCord and Susan Boyce received awards from Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York for advocacy work done at City Hall

Ms. Martinez, 71, said she enjoys helping translate conversations into Spanish for seniors who speak little English. She also helps to serve food and sell lunch tickets. She started coming to Riis Settlement five years ago and began making friends. She’s been learning how to use the computer and likes to use it to play games. Ms. Martinez said “My children are proud of me.”

Mr. Smith Sr., 86, is a World War II veteran who served in an artillery regiment. He said he never would have expected the honor in a million years. He called it like “getting the medal of honor” and described the feeling he got when he found out about the award: “It’s hard to explain. When I first heard it, it’s like a chill. It’s still there with me.” When he told his oldest grand-daughter about the award, she was so happy she told everyone in the office at her real estate agency in New Jersey. Over the 60 years he has lived in Queensbridge, Mr. Smith says he has tried to maintain a certain standard. He tries to serve as a role model, and is hoping to start a veterans group and eventually erect a plaque in Queensbridge to honor local veterans. He wants to reach out to other veterans in Queensbridge to tell them about all of the resources available to them. “You’re not fighting for what you already fought for” he says of veterans who aren’t aggressive about getting the health, education and other benefits available to them. “You fought for this country.” he said.

Ms. Petersen, 84, was happy to receive her service award. She said she has been coming to Queensbridge for a long time. “This is my center,” Ms. Petersen said and she just enjoys staying active: “You just need to do something to keep your life moving.”

Senior Center Director Robert Madison beamed as he gathered up copies of each awardee’s certificate. “They’re either giving to the community or giving to the center. That’s how committed they are. I’m proud of them.”  To celebrate all of our seniors, the senior center staff worked with New York Cares volunteers to help create an on-site Luau with all the decorations. The seniors are now looking forward to their July 3rd Jazz at Riis Barbeque featuring the internationally renowned Ty Stevens band. It’s shaping up to be an amazing summer for our seniors.

 

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