By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
Syracuse resident Barb Genton was recently named the 2019 WellCare Grand Champion of Central and Western New York.
Managed care service provider WellCare Health Plans, Inc. selected Genton as part of the company’s summer-long competition organized to highlight Central and Western New York residents who make differences in the lives of older adults.
In being recognized as this year’s champion, WellCare presented Genton with a check for $10,000 to be given to a charity of her choice.
Genton decided to bestow the prize money to SAGE Upstate, the non-profit organization she has given her time to for the past 15 years.
SAGE Upstate has a mission to promote the well-being of older gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as well as those who consider themselves allies to the LGBTQ community.
“It’s a big deal for our organization to get this money, and it will be well-spent on programming helping to reduce isolation among our members [while] providing information and education to them,” Genton said.
Genton said the competition helped increase SAGE Upstate’s visibility, which she said has been important in the year marking the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots.
Genton, a breast cancer survivor, has also volunteered over the years with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Leslie Lamb, the program administrator for SAGE Upstate, let her co-workers know about the competition after attending a health fair on May 30 at which WellCare reserved a table.
From June 7 to 24, the contest elicited nominations for senior-age volunteers, and so SAGE Upstate’s Executive Director Kim Dill chose to throw in Genton’s application.
Local residents then voted for candidates on wellcarechampions.com.
Volunteers for SAGE Upstate spread the word about the competition through Facebook and an email list.
On Aug. 1, the five finalists were recognized during a pre-game ceremony at that day’s Syracuse Mets game. The finalists also gathered together to throw the first pitch.
Until Aug. 21, voters decided online which finalist’s backstory resonated with them the most, leading to Genton earning the title of this year’s champion.
“We want to thank everyone who made it possible, from giving us the information to making us aware of it to all the people that voted every single day,” Lamb said.
The selection was made publicly the afternoon of Aug. 27 onstage at the Great New York State Fair’s Chevy Court.
Genton said it was fitting that the selection had been announced right before the 2 p.m. Blood, Sweat & Tears concert on the Chevy Court stage.
“We all are volunteers,” Genton said, referring to herself and the other finalists. “We are seniors, and we have given our blood, sweat and tears.”
The other finalists were Jerry Cali from Francis House; Sister James Peter Ridgeo of Franciscan Northside Ministries and Poverello Clinic; Sharon Connor representing the Catholic Charities of Onondaga County Retired Senior Volunteer Program; and Kateri Spinella of Wellhouse Ministries, Inc.
Serving the counties of Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida and Onondaga, SAGE Upstate operates out of the basement of the CNY Philanthropy Center on 431 E. Fayette St. in Syracuse.
SAGE Upstate relies on these newsletters in addition to community contributions, business sponsorships and online presence to put on programs and boost awareness.
Programs include falls prevention classes taught by Genton, health and awareness classes, social bingo, knitting and writing groups, luncheons and discussions.
“Every day we have something going on,” Genton said.
The nonprofit also offers rides to the hospital for folks in need through the outreach of SAGE Shares, a group that meets the second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at the center on East Fayette Street.
SAGE Upstate caters mostly to retired community members, though some who frequent the center are younger or still working.
Visit sageupstate.org for information about the organization’s upcoming events and scheduled programs.
WellCare presently serves over 300,000 members in New York primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
Jason Klaiber
