Seniors celebrate decades of volunteering

Jennie Sanfrantello and Carol Noha take volunteering very seriously. Though Sanfrantello is 95 and Noha is 90, the women have volunteered at Glen Cove Senior Center for nearly 40 years.

At a luncheon Wednesday that celebrated the 40th anniversary of the center's senior nutrition program, Sanfrantello and Noha were recognized for their dedication.

They have had perfect attendance, five days a week, since they started volunteering.

"These two women are so much of the essence and spirit of this center because they have a lot of love in their heart and been very dedicated members," senior center director Carol Waldman said.

Noha began volunteering 38 years ago at the center. Because of health problems, she has had to stop serving tea and coffee to seniors at lunch.

Sanfrantello has been volunteering at the center and taking part in its senior activities for 35 years. For a while, she volunteered as the desk attendant.

She now is a senior ombudsman and runs a program that knits hats and scarves for the needy.

"This is my second home, I've made a lot of friends here," Sanfrantello said.

Though Sanfrantello has relatives who visit, she is proud that she lives by herself in Glen Cove. She admits, however, that things can get lonely, and attributes her longevity to keeping busy.

"This keeps you alive," she said. "I'd be a lonesome person but this place gives me something to do."