WARREN COUNTY, NJ – Knowlton Township resident Pamela Dulaff was named the 2023 Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen of Warren County as the county celebrates Older Americans Month.
The Warren County Board of County Commissioners on May 24 proclaimed May as Older Americans Month. The next day, the commissioners honored Dulaff and fellow nominees Candy Church of Allamuchy Township, Marty Connor of Frelinghuysen Township, Dr. Frank Gilly of Washington, and John La Padula of Allamuchy Township during the Senior Award Luncheon held at Hawk Pointe Golf Club.
Dulaff volunteers with Medically Necessary Transportation, shuttling seniors to important medical appointment. She also handles grocery shopping for older residents and volunteers with the Friendly Visitor and Phone Reassurance programs. Friendly Visitor connects volunteers with older adults to provide free companionship services with a goal of reducing feelings of isolation for older adults through social engagement, while Phone Reassurance does the same through telephone calls.
Dulaff also volunteers with Warren County ARTS, helping to organize fundraisers and events, and teaches art classes.
“This is quite a surprise,” Dulaff said after receiving the award, adding she knows from taking care of her own parents how important it is to visit with older Americans, and to help them by providing rides to appointments.
“It’s a great opportunity, I get to sit in the car with them and talk to them,” Dulaff said. “I often will go inside with the people she drives and keep them company while they wait for their appointment.”
Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said, “It’s a pleasure to be at the 2023 Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen Award lunch to honor all of our outstanding senior citizens who are the heart and soul of so many of our volunteer organizations. If there is an organization you were thinking of volunteering for, follow the lead of our amazing seniors and get involved! It’s one of the most fulfilling things you can do.”
“Warren County has such a vibrant and active senior community,” Commissioner James R. Kern III said. “Our annual celebration of Older Americans Month highlights some of the outstanding work done by our seniors. We are truly fortunate to have so many great Older Americans in Warren County.”
Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski, who attended the awards program along with this commissioner colleagues, said, “It’s always so inspiring to see our older Americans continue to take charge and lead us forward. We are so grateful for everything our senior citizens have done and the incredible lives they have lived but also everything they are yet to do.”
“I am impressed every year by the nominees for the Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen Award and this year is no exception, Warren County truly has an inspirational group of older Americans,” Sarnoski said.
The award luncheon was kicked off by Steve Unger, Executive Director of the Warren County Division of Aging & Disability Services, who recognized the agency staff and members of the county Aging Services Advisory Council who were attending the program.
State Sens. Douglas J. Steinhardt (23rd Dist.) and Steven V. Oroho (24th Dist.) also participated, presenting certificates honoring the five nominees and Dulaff as the outstanding senior of the year.
The award has been given since 1984 but was renamed in 2007 to honor Mary Louise Christine shortly before the 85-year-old community activist from Washington Township passed away. The Warren County Division of Aging and Disabilities Advisory Council conducts a search and identifies one older adult who characterizes the true spirit of the award. Nominations are accepted in the Spring each year.
The theme of this year’s Older Americans Month – the 50th annual – is “Aging Unbound” and the commissioners’ proclamation noted there are more than 26,000 residents age 60 and older in Warren County. The proclamation recognizes seniors as powerful and vital citizens who greatly contribute to the community.
Accepting proclamation at Wednesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting was Richard Grabowsky, the 2004 Outstanding Senior, who for the past 18 years has served as a Medicare counselor.
