Officials Honor Two Local Outstanding Orange County Seniors

GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and the Legislature recently honored two senior citizens for their commitment and contributions to the community.

Vera Green-Dixon of Campbell Hall was named 2017 Orange County Senior Citizen of the Year and Newburgh’s Peggy Bennett was recognized for Outstanding Contributions by a Senior Citizen at a Legislative meeting on Thursday, June 1st at the Emergency Services Center in Goshen. Office for the Aging Director AnnMarie Maglione also attended the ceremony. Orange County residents age 60 or older who volunteer in the County can be nominated for these awards.

“Vera and Peggy are both respected members of their communities and deserve this recognition,” Neuhaus said. “They continue to volunteer their time and we appreciate all that they have done for Orange County. Vera and Peggy are wonderful role-models for people of all ages and their passion for serving the community is inspirational. I congratulate them both receiving these well-deserved honors.”

Green-Dixon, a retiree from the Orange County Finance Department, is the Vice President of the Orange County Senior Council, a member of the Maybrook Seniors, a delivery driver for Maybrook’s Home Delivered Meals Program, a member and treasurer for the Hamptonburgh seniors, a member of the Orange County Senior Games Committee, Tour Coordinator for Maybrook and Hamptonburgh Seniors, President and Past Treasurer of the Otterkill Engine Auxiliary, Second Vice-President and Past President of the Orange County Volunteer Fireman’s Association Ladies Auxiliary, President and a Hall of Fame Member of the Tri-County, N.Y. Bowling Congress and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamptonburgh.

Bennett, 98, was a legal secretary for 38 years, serving as President of her local chapter of the National Association of Legal Secretaries. She has volunteered with the Office for the Aging’s Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) since 1993, serving in 14 different capacities. Bennett also volunteers in the Town of Newburgh Police Department’s Records Department. She performs with the TNT Tappers at local nursing homes and has logged more than 6,530 volunteer hours.

“Peggy and Vera have dedicated their lives to helping others and they take much pride in serving their communities,” Maglione said. “They are both special women and have gone above and beyond to make Orange County an even better place to live.”

The annual Senior Citizen recognition awards are coordinated each year by the Orange County Office for the Aging and the Senior Council. For more information, contact Maglione at 615-3706 or by email at amaglione@orangecountygov.com.