Office for the Aging honors volunteers, advocates at annual luncheon
Published on June 03, 2026
The Tompkins County Office for the Aging (COFA) celebrated the dedication and service of local volunteers during its Annual Luncheon, held on May 15 at Hotel Ithaca. More than 75 community members attended the event, including New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen, Cassidy Snyder representing State Senator Lea Webb, and Mary Holland Bavis and Cathy Emilian representing Assemblymember Anna Kelles.
The luncheon recognized individuals whose commitment to service has strengthened the lives of older adults and the broader Tompkins County community.
Outstanding Volunteers Awards
Harlin McEwen and Maureen Shallish were presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Award for their significant contributions through decades of civic engagement and community service.
McEwen, a longtime public safety leader and former law enforcement executive, has continued serving Tompkins County following his retirement through volunteer work supporting emergency communications, public safety coordination, and community partnerships. Since 2021, he has served within the Department of Emergency Response as the County’s Public Safety Interoperability Coordinator in an unpaid volunteer role, helping strengthen emergency communication systems and collaboration among public safety agencies.
Shallish was recognized for more than 25 years of volunteer service with Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County and her extensive contributions to numerous community organizations. A dedicated volunteer leader, she has also supported Hospicare’s bereavement program, the Community Science Institute, local education initiatives, and her faith community, while quietly providing countless acts of service that improve the lives of others.
Stephen Philip Johnson Ombudsman Award
Andrea “Andie” Kabcenell received the Stephen Philip Johnson Ombudsman Award for her exceptional work as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer. The award honors individuals who embody Stephen Johnson’s legacy of compassionate, resident-centered advocacy for older adults.
Kabcenell’s impact has also been recognized at the state level. Earlier this year, she was named the 2026 Older New Yorkers Day Long Term Care Ombudsman of the Year by the New York State Office for the Aging, recognizing her outstanding volunteer service and community impact across the region.
The luncheon also featured keynote speaker Karen Brown, a health literacy consultant and former staff member of the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute’s Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center. Drawing on her professional experience and personal journey advocating for her wife following a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, Brown spoke about the importance of health literacy, self-advocacy, and ensuring older adults and their families have champions within the healthcare system.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of what makes Tompkins County such a strong and caring community,” said Lisa Monroe, Director of the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. “Harlin, Maureen, and Andie have each demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to helping others. Their compassion, leadership, and dedication improve the lives of older adults and strengthen our entire community. We are proud to recognize their service and grateful for the example they set for all of us.”
About the Tompkins County Office for the Aging
The Tompkins County Office for the Aging serves as the local entry point for aging services and provides objective and unbiased information regarding the array of services available for older adults and their caregivers. Established in 1975, our mission is to assist older adults and persons with long-term care needs to live independently in their homes and communities with quality of life and dignity.