LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dolores Vavricka upon the occasion of
being selected as Orange County's 2013 Senior Citizen of the Year

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dolores
Vavricka upon the occasion of being selected as Orange County's 2013
Senior Citizen of the Year for her outstanding contributions to her
community through her valuable and much appreciated volunteer work; and
WHEREAS, As Orange County's 2013 Senior Citizen of the Year, Dolores
Vavricka will participate in the Annual New York State Senior Citizens
Day Luncheon hosted by the State office for the Aging (SOFA) at the Hart
Theatre Lounge in the Egg, Albany, New York, on Tuesday, May 7, 2013;
and
WHEREAS, The theme for this year's event, Unleash the Power of Age,
recognizes the potential energies of older individuals which can be
unleashed through civic engagement to address pressing social and commu-
nity needs; and
WHEREAS, Dolores "Dee" Vavricka was born in Middletown, New York and
has lived in New York State her entire life; she worked at the local
orchard and as a waitress; she is a widow and has four children and five
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, In addition to always working on behalf of her church,
Dolores Vavricka, in 1988, when her mother, mother-in-law, and two dear
friends all had cancer, decided to train for Hospice; and
WHEREAS, Dee Vavricka has volunteered with Hospice of Orange/Sullivan
since the agency's founding in Orange County 25 years ago; she provides
end of life vigil support for patients and their families, probably the
most difficult, emotionally taxing volunteer assignment; and
WHEREAS, The longest serving Hospice of Orange/Sullivan volunteer, Dee
Vavricka has also worked every month for fifteen years at her church's
food pantry which distributes food to more than 100 families; she also
visits the homebound, often bringing homemade goodies, and makes it her
mission to visit nursing home residents who do not regularly receive
visitors; and
WHEREAS, Dee Vavricka's dedication and compassion make her contrib-
ution to the Orange County community truly extraordinary; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Dolores Vavricka's distinguished
record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dolores Vavricka upon the occasion of being selected as Orange
County's 2013 Senior Citizen of the Year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dolores Vavricka.