To the Editor:

As the senior coordinator for the town of New Scotland, I’ve witnessed up-close the anxiety and suffering COVID-19 wrought on our community — and particularly our seniors in the past year. Yet, as the end of the pandemic comes into focus, I am left with a sense not of loss (though there has been plenty of that), but of optimism and inspiration. 

So many of our local organizations and leaders have stepped up to help and protect our seniors during this unprecedented time. I’d like to take a moment to recognize a few.

The town board members — Bridgit Burke, Bill Hennessy, Dan Leinung, Adam Greenberg, and Supervisor Doug LaGrange — have worked tirelessly to stay ahead of this crisis. They were creative and proactive in keeping our employees safe, our town services functioning, and our community in strong financial shape.

Additionally, the entire town staff has had to take on extra work, to keep up with the constantly changing protocols and added work from issues created by this virus.

I’d also like to thank Sheriff Craig Apple and the rest of his department (especially First Sergeant Tracy Mance and Sergeant David Poole) who supplied us with face masks and hand sanitizers and were instrumental in helping get our senior residents vaccinated. Deb Riitano, Commissioner for the Department for Aging with Albany County, stepped up to the plate on numerous occasions from the very start and supplied us with materials to distribute and keep our seniors safe and our county legislator Vicky Plotsky helped tremendously with all these efforts.

They also provided us with vital information accurately and efficiently.

The Voorheesville quilters group donated beautiful masks and lap blankets. Voorheesville students gave their time and talent to create pictures, cards, and hand warmers from the Spreading Smiles Project that we distributed to the seniors.

Gail Brown and the Voorheesville Public Library organized events and projects. The Voorheesville Community and School Foundation, led by Janna Shillinglaw and Tricia Putman, provided grant funding that allowed us to obtain books, pens, and pencils, and other “goodies” to help engage our seniors.

Hannaford Pharmacy, Rite Aid Pharmacy, and Care Wellness Pharmacy were critical in helping vaccinate our community and worked closely with me to schedule vaccination appointments. The American Red Cross donated Girl Scout cookies to our community food pantries and seniors.

I know there are so many more that I am not remembering, but please know that you are all included in this tremendous thank-you. Let’s not take for granted what a wonderful community we live in. The town of New Scotland is so very lucky to have so many diligent public servants as well as residents come out to help their neighbors.

 I look forward to continuing to help serve this awesome community and can’t wait to start greetings and meetings in person.

Deb Engel

Senior Outreach Coordinator

Town of New Scotland