I asked our board member and priceless volunteer, John Sciacchitano, to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. John has recently told me that after 28 years of counseling for our HIICAP program, he is going to retire from that role. He is my mentor and has mentored many of the new counselors. He counseled at 5 different libraries each month and helped countless number of people. You truly cannot imagine how much of himself and how many hours he has given to RSVP and this program. He will continue to work with us on our Board of Directors and volunteer his time to grow our programs. I am so grateful and beyond thankful for everything John has done for all of us at RSVP.

• Thank you all for being here to celebrate 51 Wonderful Years of the Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Suffolk. This celebration is truly about each one of you!
• Thank you for caring about each other. Thank you for caring about our community, our seashore, our animals, and plants. Thank you for helping so many people each day. Your beautiful spirit and your kindness make a difference in so many lives. Thank you for sharing your expertise and wisdom and life experiences to bring comfort, joy, and genuine understanding to your neighbors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do each day!
• I would like to take a moment to ask our RSVP staff to stand. I could talk about each of them for hours but what I really want you to know is how hard they work and how much they care about each of you. I would also like you to give a loud round of applause to Betty DeSimone for always being there for us for over 20 years and for everything she did to make today and all our Tribute Days special and wonderful.
• I want to sincerely thank our Board of Directors; they care very much about the seniors in our community. Their guidance and leadership are invaluable – without them, and all they do for us, RSVP would not exist!
• Thank you to Dignity Memorial, Atria Senior Living and all our Sponsors, Exhibitors and Partners. We appreciate you, we need you, and we are honored to partner and work with you.
• Thank you to all our elected officials. You have our genuine admiration for your continued support of RSVP. Please see their letters and Proclamation from the Suffolk County Legislature in our 51st Anniversary Tribute Day Booklet.
• Throughout covid, and until today, YOU, our wonderful volunteers, have given over 250,000 hours of service! This is beyond incredible! You never gave up during the pandemic and worked harder than ever recognizing the isolation our seniors were experiencing.
• I have a wonderful announcement – This year, our Volunteer of the Year is Tender Years of Club Moriches. This group of dedicated and caring women work together making handmade items which are donated to our communities. During covid, they went above and beyond, and so many grateful people benefited from their work!
• Our thanks to Suffolk County Office for the Aging for their support, guidance and funding.
• In closing, thank you to all our amazing and caring volunteers. Have a wonderful Tribute Day!