ALBANY, NY — Sullivan County’s Virdanna Lawrence and Clarence Rundle travelled last month to Albany to each receive the NYS Office for the Aging’s “Older New Yorker” award.

“Virdanna and Clarence exemplify the kind of 55-plus volunteers we have in our county,” said Sullivan County Office for the Aging Director Lise-Anne Deoul, who accompanied the duo to the ceremony. “They give without thought of getting anything in return, but I’m so happy that the state was able to recognize them in this wonderful way!”

“These dedicated individuals are powering connections in so many profound ways, and New York State expresses profound gratitude for this spirit of altruism, which is a legacy of lasting benefit and inspiration to all New Yorkers,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul, who proclaimed May as Older Americans Month in New York State.

Virdanna Lawrence

Virdanna Lawrence has lived in the Town of Mamakating since 1969. Better known as “Danna,” she has been instrumental in starting the local 4-H club, along with a dance class at St. Joseph’s Church and at the Community Church of Wurtsboro. She has also researched the early history of Mamakating and lectured to schools and the public about the community’s roots and origins.

Lawrence is a member of the Bloomingburg Restoration Foundation. She is responsible for restoring historical markers and putting American flags on Veterans’ graves. She is an advocate for Mamakating history throughout Sullivan County.

Lawrence and her husband Jamie reside in Yankee Lake. 

When it comes to volunteering, Lawrence says, “Do it!”

Clarence Rundle

Clarence Rundle volunteers at the county’s Community Assistance Center in Swan Lake, assisting with the food pantry distribution on Tuesdays. He has been helping there since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. On Tuesdays, he manages a delivery of 10 to 12 pallets of food from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. These deliveries must be unloaded and divided among 21 pantries and then reloaded into the trucks of each of the pantries. 

Rundle’s positive can-do attitude and great sense of humor encourage everyone to keep going.

He also tirelessly volunteers with the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition, Liberty Elks, Sullivan Volunteers, Honor Guard, AM VETS, American Legion Post 109, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

“It’s a great thing to help other people,” he says.

Story contributed by the Sullivan County Division of Community Resources.