State Office for the Aging Honors Two Livingston County Residents as Older New Yorkers’ Day Awardees
MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., May 29, 2026 — The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) this week named Livingston County residents Sherry Kramer and Mary Ann Thompson as 2026 Older New Yorkers’ Day awardees.
Kramer and Thompson were among more than 100 older adults NYSOFA honored for their extraordinary volunteerism and civic engagement. The recognition was part of its annual Older New Yorkers’ Day celebration, which took place May 26 in Albany, coinciding with Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Compassion in Action,” highlighted the impact older New Yorkers have in bettering communities across the state.
“Mary Ann and Sherry are outstanding examples of individuals who share their time and talent to make Livingston County a better place,” said Sue Carlock, director of the Livingston County Office for the Aging. “Like many others, they don't do it for recognition or honor, but from a genuine desire to help others and build community. We are very fortunate to have such incredibly generous volunteers.”
Sherry Kramer is a lifelong New Yorker who currently resides in Dansville. She attended Dansville Central School and received graduate degrees from the State University of New York at Geneseo. After spending 35 years as a teacher at Wayland-Cohocton Central School, she became active in many volunteer roles in her hometown and the surrounding area. She has worked to support her local hospital, church, food pantry, and various civic organizations as a volunteer. She also serves as a driver and caretaker for many area residents in need. Kramer and her husband started a local pickleball group that promotes inclusivity, a sense of community, and offers physical and emotional benefits for its members.
"I have been a volunteer since I was 12 years old, and I hope that I will be able to continue until my last days on Earth," said Kramer. "Everyone should give it a try. Not only will you be helping others, but you will get so much more back in return."
Mary Ann Thompson grew up in Greece, N.Y., and moved to the Town of Livonia in 1982. She has more than three decades of diverse community volunteer work to her credit.
In her professional career, Thompson created a sewing program for women in transition at Catholic Charities, provided case management for homeless female veterans transitioning back to civilian life at Zion House, and taught employment-to-work skills at ARC of Livingston-Wyoming.
For the past ten years, she has served as the “point person” for the Little Finger Lakes Center in Hemlock, an all-volunteer facility operating seven days a week. She played a pivotal role in the grassroots efforts to preserve the historic 1929 Hemlock School building where the Little Finger Lakes Center is located, transforming it into a vibrant community hub for local programming and historical restoration.
Additionally, Thompson serves on the Livonia Zoning Board of Appeals and the town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee. She also assists her husband, Bob, with the operations of the Hemlock Hills Alpaca Farm, now in its 26th year.
"When you volunteer, you'll make new friends," she said. "You'll be energized with a new purpose, while at the same time making a real difference in someone's life or bettering your community. When you find the right role, as my office mate says, 'I'll warn you, getting involved can be addicting.’”
Both Kramer and Thompson were also finalists for the 2025 Livingston Cares Volunteer of the Year Award.
For a complete list of volunteer awardees, see the Older New Yorkers Day Award Book. For more information, visit the Livingston County Office for the Aging website.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.
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