Nov. 18, 2006 — The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) honored four members for outstanding volunteerism in a ceremony at Divi Carina Bay Resort this weekend.
The annual event recognized the tireless volunteer work done by retired professionals in the territory. Keynote speaker Vera Falu asked the attendees to close their eyes and imagine what would happen to the Virgin Islands if there were no volunteers.
"Volunteers are the motor of this community," Falu said. "It is not the private sector; it is the volunteers that keep this community going."
The day was full of praise, flowers and hugs as the honorees received their awards. The state AARP director, Denyce Singleton, said the event was one of her favorite activities: "This is the day that I look forward to all year because I get to say thank you." Volunteers work "from 6 a.m. until after dark," she said, going the extra mile to ensure AARP is represented well and the community is served.
National AARP program operations manager Lisa Simpson said volunteerism is incredibly important and recognition of their work essential.
"If we didn't have volunteers, we couldn't do anything," she said. "We want to let our volunteers know how much we appreciate the time they give to AARP, because they don't have to do this."
Awards ceremonies like the one hosted by the territory will continue around the nation as many chapters prepare to change committee members and elect new officials. The territory named one Andrus award winner and three outstanding chapter members from each of the islands.
Andrus award winner Norrine Abramson did not attend. Her presence was missed at the ceremony, said her daughter, Charlene Matthew. Abramson recently had a bout with pneumonia. The audience would have bursted with family members had she felt well enough to attend, Matthew said, expressing confidence that her mother will get better. When she asked her mother what she should say on her behalf, Matthew said, her mother stated simply, "Say thank you."
The Andrus award goes to honor volunteers who do outstanding work throughout the year, Singleton said. Colin Powell has won the national Andrus award. "Norrine is in good company," Singleton said, adding, "She is not only the Andrus award winner, but she has won all of our hearts."
Award winner Eugenie Dalmida, a native of St. John, was honored for her work with Chapter No. 4777. Chapter President Beverly Biziewski said Dalmida was a soft-spoken individual with determination and drive, and the most reliable person in the chapter. "She doesn't even have to raise her hand," Biziewski said. "I know she'll be there."
Another winner, Iselyne Hennessey, relocated from New York to St. Thomas, and chapter president Evandy Hodge said she was glad Hennessey decided to make the move.
"When she makes a commitment, she sticks to it," Hodge said. "I am so glad she has made a commitment to AARP."
One of the things she is most proud of is being mother to Sgt. John Hennessey, currently serving the country in the military, Hennessey told the audience. She thanked the AARP members for their encouragement "because without [them] I would have been lost, especially after my husband passed."
The honoree from the big island, Arieline Rames, received praise from chapter president Steve Abrants for going above and beyond the call of duty. "I asked Mrs. Rames to bring a punch bowl to an event for me," he said, "Mrs. Rames not only brought the bowl; she came to the meeting and unloaded ice and refreshments as well."
Son Kevin Rames addressed the audience, thanking AARP for recognizing his mother. The entire family learned the importance of volunteerism from his mother, Rames said.
"If we can find a way to give the best of us, we can find a way to change this community," he said. Rames herself only had a few words to say: "I am very pleased, very happy and very touched."
"We look for people who are going to be committed," said Master of Ceremonies Lawrence Bastien of Rames. "I saw her and said, 'Yeah, she could do the job.'"
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