ppreciation was the theme of the day at Winthrop’s annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon, held in the Hospital’s gaily decorated Conference Center. More than half of Winthrop’s 370 adult volunteers received awards for their contribution of more than 245,100 hours of service in many Hospital areas. Awards were presented by Winthrop’s administrators and Auxiliary officers.

Dorothy Cannata of Carle Place and Thomas Spae of Mineola were selected “Volunteers of the Year” for their selfless commitment, versatility, reliability, and dedication. The announcement was made by Judy Soba, the Auxiliary’s immediate past President.

Anna Maggiore (R), a long-time volunteer, graciously accepts an award for 12,000 hours of dedicated volunteer service from Mr. Walsh (L).

Appreciation of the Volunteers’ teamwork and devotion to Winthrop’s patients and staff was expressed by Daniel P. Walsh, the Hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “What you give is the most priceless part of yourselves — your time,” he declared. “Our esteemed adult volunteers are ‘value added’ to Winthrop — hard workers, who contribute their fine human relations skills and commitment to quality work, developed over a lifetime.” Barbara L. Kohart, Vice President-Administration, who is a former Junior Volunteer, also addressed the gathering.

Volunteered time is carefully recorded, and Winthrop volunteers typically receive service bars, chevrons, pins, and certificates at accruals of one hundred hours, 500 hours, 1,000 hours, and at every 500 hours thereafter. The Auxiliary officers who presented awards were Frances Sweeney, President; Denise Hyland, First Vice President; Lois Tighe, Second Vice President; Veronica Renken, Treasurer; Sandy Ladner, Recording Secretary; Barbara Seale, Historian; and Helene Ehmann, Chairperson, Junior Volunteer Scholarships. The Auxilians, whose fund-raising activities dramatically benefit the Hospital, include many devoted volunteers.

Anna Maggiore (R), a long-time volunteer, graciously accepts an award for 12,000 hours of dedicated volunteer service from Mr. Walsh (L).

Among the Volunteers recognized for thousands of hours of donated service were Louise Mazzaro (West Hempstead), 24,000 hours; Anna Maggiore (Williston Park), “Volunteer of the Year-l997,” with 12,000 hours; and Violet Hartmann and Wanda Saran (both of Garden City), who clocked 7,000 hours. Helene Ehmann and Charlotte Mitchem (both of Garden City), and Angelina Zappala (Williston Park) were honored for 6,500 hours. Eleanor Milner (Garden City) was honored for 6,000 hours, and Rita Wheeler (Mineola) and Lena Setian (Garden City) both received recognition for 5,500 hours of service. Five thousand hour awards went to Mary Ann Cantileno (Mineola) and Grace Foltin (Wantagh). Paul Burgdorf, Maude Emerson, Susan Hall, Sharon Hummers, and Genarose Sanzo, all of Garden City, were honored for 4,500 hours. Anita Rofrano (Wantagh) and Susan Silbaugh (Garden City) received certificates for 4,000 hours of donated service, and Terry Lewis (Floral Park), Betty Ann Pristupa (Williston Park), Rosemarie Ruckel (Floral Park), and Jean Silverman (Hempstead) were honored for 3,500 hours. The 3,000 hour awards were presented to Thomas Farrell and Martha Makowski (Volunteer of the Year, l998), both of Mineola, and Marilyn O’Brien (Garden City). Those who received recognition for 2,500 hours of service were Jack Egozcue (Mineola), Hyman Gurevich (Valley Stream), Gloria Morgano (Garden City), and Christine Quirk (Williston Park).

Mary Ann Cantileno (R) receives an award for 5,000 hours of volunteer work, and the personal congratulations of Mr. Walsh (L).

Winthrop volunteers interact with patients, staff, and visitors as they assist at communications centers, the emergency department, ambulatory surgery, on patient floors, in admitting and business areas, dietary, and in the Auxiliary’s gift and thrift shops. Volunteers are always needed - both adults and junior volunteers, who must be at least age 14. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Winthrop, call Carmela Anglim, Director of Volunteer Services, at (516) 663-2391.