MONTICELLO – The Epicenter at Resorts World Catskills was abuzz with excitement last Thursday afternoon as more than 100 volunteers were recognized for the time, service and energy they give to their fellow community during the first annual Sullivan Volunteers Recognition Luncheon.

The luncheon commemorated 124 volunteers for all that they do, from service milestones and community transportation to community partnerships and general volunteer contributions.

Once under federal funding and known as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program—or RSVP—Sullivan Volunteers once focused on volunteers aged 55 and up. The program now operates under a county-funded structure that allows volunteers of all ages to take part.

According to Sullivan Volunteers Coordinator Monika Roosa, the program saw 37 new volunteers join this year while recording 18,184 hours of service—amounting to nearly $700,000 in volunteer time based on a valuation by Independent Sector.

Those hours could range from volunteers delivering food to homebound residents, working at thrift shops and food pantries, driving individuals to medical appointments, supporting veterans and helping fight isolation among older adults, as well as assisting libraries and museums.

To Sullivan County Office for the Aging Director Lise-Anne Deoul, that is just a preview of the larger story.

“Behind every ride to a medical appointment is an older adult who is able to get the care they needed,” Deoul noted. “Behind every shift at a nonprofit or food program is a person or family who was helped.”

It was this volunteer service that played a crucial role in the county during difficult periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. That period of volunteerism stood out to Friends of Sullivan Volunteers Committee Chairperson Deborah Worden, who recalled how volunteers assisted with the delivery of food and supplies to residents who were unable to safely reach stores during the pandemic.

The program itself has also undergone changes, including losing federal AmeriCorps funding and dropping the RSVP moniker. Despite those changes, Worden said the program has continued thanks to ongoing support from Sullivan County.

Many volunteers were also presented with awards that afternoon, with recognitions for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and more years of service.

Located in Callicoon, the IOU Thrift Shop at 37 Lower Main Street was named Volunteer Partner Site of the Year, while Suzanne Cecil received the top Lifetime Hours Served Award after recording 13,388 volunteer hours. Following her were Julianna Maxwell with 7,842 hours and Jack Luster with 6,386 hours.

Luster was also recognized for having the most volunteer hours served in 2026. Steven Flocken was named Medical Transportation Driver of the Year after safely driving 112 clients to their medical appointments, while Mike Stemmer was recognized as the Home Delivered Meals Driver of the Year.

This year also marked the second annual Nellie Culligan Award, which recognizes the legacy of volunteer Nellie S. Culligan, who became a familiar face through her 32 years with RSVP. Culligan helped co-found and run Noah’s Arch Thrift Shop at the United Methodist Church in Monticello, which made significant contributions to the program. She died June 9, 2025, at the age of 98, having submitted her final timesheet at age 97.

The award went to Marion Ziegler, who was recognized for being the glue that held the program together across its many transitions and stages.

“Volunteerism is the backbone to healthy communities,” stated Roosa. “No matter your role, each of you makes a meaningful impact on the lives of our community members.”