Public voting chooses grand champion whose designated charity wins $10,000
BY Jason Emerson
Editor
Two residents of Fayetteville and one of East Syracuse have been named finalists in the Today’s Options Champions Competition, which is designed to recognize everyday champions who are making a difference in the lives of older Americans in Central New York.
Mary Beth Anderson and Mary Anne Corasaniti, both of Fayetteville, and John Ryan, of East Syracuse, were three of the five finalists announced Monday, July 25, by Today’s Options, a leading local Medicare Advantage health plan, which sponsors the competition. The final winner of the contest, which is determined by online public voting, will have $10,000 donated to the charity of their choice.
Anderson has designated YMCA of Greater Syracuse as her charity. Anderson, the Y’s Active Older Adults coordinator for the past five years, stimulates connections among senior members through social, physical and spiritual activity. She said her goal is to create programs to meet these needs of the Syracuse YMCA’s seniors as both individuals and a group.
There are about 20,000 members of the East Syracuse YMCA, and around 2,000 will utilize it in a single day. Anderson has developed the Active Older Adults program into a nationwide model of member engagement. She has created new programs and boosted daily participation from zero to 40 in Pickleball, 30 in Bridge, 30 in Book Club, 40 in Walking Group, 12 in Garden Club, and 10 in Art Club. Her programs have also attracted 700 people to the Health Series, 350 people to trips and socials, 240 to Meet and Greets and more than 300 people in Moving for Better Balance classes.
Anderson finds personal gratification through her connections with others. Her simple goal is to see Syracuse YMCA members leave each day with a smile. “I try to be the glue that connects our senior members to their wonderful community,” she said.
Corasaniti has designated the Elder Abuse Program at Vera House as her charity. Corasaniti has championed the cause of elder abuse for nearly 30 years. She said her lifelong mission is to see that older adults in Central New York are honored, respected and valued. Through her work with the Elder Abuse Program at Vera House, Corasaniti works to identify and eliminate cases of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
In 1987, she began working at the United Way where she oversaw a New York state grant to address issues of abuse and neglect. From 1989-95, she developed and directed the Onondaga County Elder Abuse Program at Catholic Charities and worked to improve the way cases of elder abuse are approached. This became a model for elder abuse programs throughout the state. When the program at Catholic Charities was discontinued, she kept the program alive by seeking the support and assistance of Vera House.
Corasaniti also has served as the executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York and currently works at Hunter College’s Brookdale Center on Healthy Aging. In 1999, she helped launch the Elder Justice Committee of the Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition.
Ryan has designated James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre as his charity. Ryan, a mechanical engineer for General Electric for 40 years and now a full-time volunteer, spends his time helping seniors and many others at the James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre, St. Matthew’s Church, the Red Cross, East Syracuse Meals on Wheels and the East Syracuse Library.
While all of his volunteer work is important to him, his work with the James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre, a skilled nursing facility, remains the closest to his heart, he said. Ryan’s late wife lived at James Square while she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. During the seven years his wife stayed at this facility, Ryan did everything he could to make it a home and make sure all of her needs were met. Over time, he built a strong relationship with the organization and its residents.
After his wife passed away, volunteering at James Square felt like a natural transition, he said. He visits the facility weekly to help serve meals and accompany residents attending Mass, among other activities.
“I don’t volunteer because of how it makes me feel, I do it because of the need in our community,” Ryan said.
Also named as competition finalists were Donna Denison, of Cazenovia, whose designated charity is Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York; and Ralph Rotella, of North Syracuse, whose designated charity is Rescue Mission Alliance.
The full stories for each finalist, including brief videos on YouTube, can be found on the competition website at TodaysOptionsChampions.com.
Online voting is now underway at TodaysOptionsChampions.com and runs through Aug. 25. People may vote once a day for the finalist of their choice.
The finalist with the most votes will be named the 2016 Today’s Options Grand Champion. He or she will be honored at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court on Aug. 30 before the Survivor concert at 2 p.m. The winner will present a $10,000 donation to his or her chosen charitable organization at that time.
“We are proud of the work being done by this year’s Today’s Options Champions,” said James Mackenzie, SVP of Sales for Today’s Options. “Each of our finalists deserves recognition and will be honored at the Syracuse Chiefs game on Aug. 4. The public can get involved by reading the Champions’ personal stories on our website and voting for one Grand Champion.”
Today’s Options Champions are Central New York residents who are examples of how one person can make a difference in the lives of older adults. The competition is a way to recognize people who share Todays Options’ goals of improving quality of life and maximizing access to services for seniors and people with Medicare.
