The Town of Montgomery Senior Independence Project (TOMSIP) is a dedicated volunteer group, and every year they host an annual event to recognize esteemed volunteers in their organization.

This year their celebratory picnic took place at Benedict Farm Park on Wednesday, July 19. People ate sandwiches, learned about TOMSIP and got to watch two hardworking community members accept awards for their constant volunteer work.

Two women were honored this year: 2023 Volunteer of the Year Sharon Mills-Besheer and honoree Joan Buck Smith, a longtime volunteer, committee member and former town council member who is retiring.

Sandford Altman, Chairman of TOMSIP and a local attorney, started the event with a bit of background on their organization.

“There’s people right in our community and all around Orange County who are not in a position to do [all that] stuff. Some are isolated, some have a disability, and this is where [the] TOMSIP organization and all our volunteers step in to help.

TOMSIP basically pairs the seniors in our town with volunteers so they can help with doing things like rides to the doctors, shopping, phone calls, visits and all those things so people don’t feel isolated and [so] they can stay in their homes instead of going on into various institutions,” said Altman, who also mentioned some of TOMSIP’s partners present at the event: Alzheimer’s Association, Office of the Aging and Adult Protective Services.

There were also some government officials present, like Town of Montgomery Supervisor Ron Feller and New York State Senator Rob Rolison. Rolison shared a few words about volunteer work, as well as mentioning that both ladies would receive certificates from the Senate.

“Volunteers are so important because can you imagine if we had to pay every volunteer that volunteered for something? We wouldn’t do anything, it just would not happen. To Sharon and Joan, congratulations. We have certificates from the State Senate which we’ll be sending to you,” Rolison said.

Grammy Award winner and American Polka Musician Jimmy Sturr presented the award to Smith. “She’s a longtime resident of this community. She was the very first committee member to serve as a TOMSIP volunteer. She has served as a volunteer and committee member for many many years. She’s an inspiration to us all,” said Sturr.

Smith then shared a few words herself after accepting her award.

“I’ve been honored to work for the town committee and be a volunteer and a member of the committee. I decided it’s almost time to resign when I’m older than the people I drive,” Smith said. “So we do need volunteers, if any of you are able to give a couple hours a month.”

Supervisor Feller then made some remarks about Smith, who he worked with on the town board.

“Eleven to twelve years ago, I was elected as a town council member and I joined Joan Buck Smith on the town council. So for anybody that doesn’t know, Joan was a town council member for years, and although she’s retired from that position, she still comes back to me all the time. So she’s going to be retiring here, but I’m pretty sure you’ll still hear from her, especially if anything goes wrong,” said Feller.

Feller was also in charge of presenting the volunteer of the year award to Mills-Besheer.

“We have, from the Town of Montgomery, a Certificate of Recognition to Sharon, the Town of Montgomery Senior Independence Project Volunteer of the Year. We appreciate and thank you for your outstanding service and commitment in the Town of Montgomery Senior Independence Project,” Feller said.

Mills-Besheer then made some comments about receiving the award. “I know that I’m among many people here that give time and recognition to people that maybe only see you once a week or once a month. So it’s a real pleasure for me to help the community and get to know the community as well, because I’m a newcomer to this area. So I appreciate that and look forward to doing more work in 2024,” Mills-Besheer stated.