May Volunteer of the Month
Dick Gilmore – Manlius Senior Activity Centre
When Manlius Senior Activity Centre (MSAC) Executive Director Ann Smith recommended that Dick Gilmore be featured as the Eagle Bulletin Volunteer of the Month she was very enthused. After you read this column, I think you will see why.
Dick was born in Marlton, N.J. After enlisting in the Navy in 1966 some buddies got him a blind date with a girl named Sarah. They were married five months later. Upon completing his military obligation, Dick Gilmore spent three years in college before taking a job with an office products business. His next job was with Cambridge Pavers out of Lyndhurst, N.J., covering upstate, New York and Vermont. As a member of the Gilmanton Church he put his work experience to good use. The church did not have space for a restroom area, so Gilmore and 12 other congregants volunteered to fix that. They found a way to lift up the entire building, put in a new foundation and build in a kitchen, fellowship hall room and restroom area.
In 2009 Dick was transferred to Syracuse, where the family moved into the Fayetteville area. And, being the son of a minister, Dick joined the United Church of Fayetteville, where he has been actively involved in fundraising. Sarah was busy also, working as a registered nurse. When they retired and moved into Erie Village, Sarah became involved in the Manlius Senior Activity Center, where she is now on the board of directors.
And, then, Dick began walking. And walking. And walking. Before he knew it, he was walking six miles a day and had formed a walking group of neighbors and friends. Dick said, “Those that couldn’t do six miles did what they could, because they found the benefits of walking were many. It was physically, psychologically and socially good. A win -win -win. And their doctors concurred.” Gilmore is proud to say that in 2018 he took 3.6 million steps on his way to walking 1,500 miles. (I wonder how many walking shoes he went through.)
Sarah suggested that Dick get involved in the MSAC and form a walking group there. He did just that.
“The walkers love it as they get to see nature and talk with their friends, while getting the much-needed exercise,” Dick said. “Most times there are 15 to 25 in the walking group. I keep a log and send updates to Ann Smith.”
During one of Dick’s solitary walks along the Erie Canal he saw an elderly man slide off the trail and slowly down a steep, muddy, slippery, embankment. As the man edged towards the water, Dick and a female walker who was passing by dragged him to safety. They found out he was 85 years old and out walking to keep fit. When Dick went to call an EMT, the man said no. Dick stayed there until he was stable and, yes, that man continued his walk. What a tough old guy!
“In this case, my walking was truly a life saver,” Dick said.
As time went on, Dick became very involved in volunteering at the MSC.
“There is probable not an activity that he is not involved in,” Smith said.
Gilmore helps out with group activities as well as with people on an individual basis. There is one man that he picks up at his home, brings to the MSC lunch, and then back home.
“The daily lunches at the Manlius Senior Center are very popular because it brings a community of people together, who otherwise would be lonely,” Dick said. “There is even a lady who comes all the way from Liverpool every day for the lunches and companionship. So, as you can see, membership at the MSC is not just for Manlius residents.”
And, when people have a medical problem, Dick visits them at home or in the hospital. Whenever someone needs companionship, he is there!
He also volunteers at many other activities at the MSC, like when people play Bunco, bridge, or those popular corn hole games. And, in keeping with his drive to keep fit, Dick can be found at the bi-weekly exercise classes, both as a participant and instructor. I would not be surprised if some of ‘his’ walkers were there, too. During the semi-annual community sales at the MSC Dick can been seen moving items around, keeping things in order and helping people out to their cars with their purchases.
“It’s all worth it,” he said.
Dick volunteers at the MSC from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. five days a week and, to some, it might sound like a job, but he said, “I do it because of the smiles I get.”
“Because of all that Dick Gilmore does he was recently given a Nice and Easy gift card for winning the ‘Nice and Easy Award’ at the volunteer dinner, because he is so nice and easy going,” Smith said. “The Senior Activity Centre has something for everyone! It is a warm and welcoming place where senior members (55 and older) of our community find friendship, support and inspiration. We offer trips, workshops, speakers, social activities such as games and movies, exercise programs and a lunch program Monday through Friday. Please call 315-682-7889, or stop in ([we are] located behind the Manlius library) and check us out. We would love for you to join us! We are also always looking for volunteers to help in the dining room for as little as two hours, a month or as much as you’d like.”
Dick and Sarah Gilmore have been married for 49 years and have two children and five grandchildren. Besides walking and volunteering, Dick enjoys golf and travel.
To recommend someone with a stellar record of volunteering to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein: [email protected] or 315-682-7162.
