Volunteers were recognized throughout Farmingdale Tuesday, in keeping with National Volunteer Recognition Week.

At Daleview Care Center, over 50 people were recognized, and about 30 were thanked at Farmingdale Public Library. Both groups were treated to brunch and festivities, and given individual certificates of appreciation.

"The commitment that you've made here has touched so many lives," Suzanne Frank, director of recreation for Daleview, a residency and care center for the elderly, told volunteers there. "The residents ask every day 'Who's coming? When are they coming? They look forward to seeing you." She added that the volunteers are "inspirational."

Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden commended the crowd at Daleview for their commitment, noting that they are part of the community's core group of volunteers. "Ten percent of the people do 90 percent of the work," he said. "I thank you on behalf of the entire community, which sometimes takes for granted what you do."

The volunteers, too, seemed to have a sense of the impact of their work.

"Just being able to help somebody - to put a smile on their face - is worth it," said Lucie Williams, a 5-year Daleview volunteer hailing from Will of Life Ministries, Freeport. "Every month we come to see [the residents], and they look forward to our visits." She added that the work is not only a ministry, but also a learning experience for many of the volunteers from her congregation. "Some of them have grandparents themselves, so they see how important it is to care for the elderly."

Merle and Irene Steiner, members of the Telephone Pioneers, a volunteer organization of retired telephone company employees, have been volunteers for over 20 years. Merle said he and his wife, who bring lap robes and afghans to residents on a regular basis, receive much fulfillment from the work they do at Daleview. He added that they know they are reaching the residents because, "The people show their appreciation. They send letters."

Perry Altadonna, a junior at Farmingdale High School, is the center's youngest volunteer. He has given his time there for four years, and said he enjoys doing it. "One person can make a big impact on someone's life," he said. "Just coming in here once a week or once every other week, you see how much they appreciate it."

The Farmingdale Library volunteers were equally aware of the effect of their efforts.

"We're doing something constructive, and something for the community, including the people involved," said John Fitzwilliams, Sr., a volunteer with the library's Adopt-A-Shelf program. "It gives them something to do and a feeling they're doing something constructive."

Through Adopt-A-Shelf, which was initiated about 4 years ago, volunteers maintain an assigned area of the library. Most of the program's volunteers belong to the Farmingdale chapter of AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).

Dina Chrils, director of the library, noted that the tasks the Adopt-A-Shelf volunteers do, such as placing books in order and removing those with worn bar codes, are highly valued. "It's such an important part of the library," she said. "People say, 'You know, the shelves look great,' and it's all because of them."

Fitzwilliams noted that the program's volunteers donate hundreds of hours to it because, "If someone contributes to the community, it is bound to improve the community, and also the person."

Don Ruffner, another Adopt-A-Shelf volunteer, added, "It all goes back to the AARP motto, which is - 'To serve, not to be served.'"

Volunteers with the Senior Connections Program hosted at the library provide information and referrals to senior citizens in the local community. Two days a week, the volunteers assist senior citizens with such matters as filling out New York State STAR (School Tax Reduction Program) applications to Medicare paperwork, to arranging for yard work to be done at their homes.

Maria Ward, a volunteer with that program, noted that it is a vital information resource for the seniors. "They come in so confused. They come in looking like the whole world is on their minds," she said, adding that after the volunteers help them, "Their whole face brightens up."

Yet another volunteer program at the library is Service for the Homebound. Through it, generous community members hand-deliver books, tapes and other library materials to those who cannot leave their homes.

Chrils noted that the volunteers in all three programs are a vital part of the library, and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.