CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging and County Council of Senior Citizens recently honored the Senior Award Winners for 2022.
Senior Citizen of the Year: Myrtle Regan, Canton
Myrtle Regan has been a volunteer for all of her adult life. She enjoys providing assistance at the Maplewood Nursing Home in the activities room and driving older adults in her community who need a ride to appointments. Regan is a member of the County Council of Senior Citizens, Dekalb Jct. United Methodist Church, the Methodist Church in Canton, and the Canton Senior Citizens Club. Since 2007, she has been president of the Canton Senior Citizens, which is the largest active senior citizen club in St. Lawrence County. She has escorted hundreds of older adults on many bus trips that she has organized, taking them to over 50 states, as well as Ireland, Australia, and Canada.
Regan is described by individuals as a doer and a leader who gives tirelessly of her time and talents. When asked why it is important to volunteer, she says: “Everyone should volunteer; it is always a joy and gives you satisfaction of knowing you are helping.”
Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen: Brenda Sanderson, Canton
Brenda Sanderson has been a volunteer for over 20 years, participating in several groups to help her community. She was a member of the Hermon-Dekalb School Board, Hermon Library Board of Trustees and was a den mother for the Boy Scouts when her sons were younger.
Sanderson was the president of the Dekalb Jct. Senior Citizens Club for many years. She has been president of the County Council of Senior Citizens since 2018. In her first year as president, Sanderson visited all of the individual senior clubs to learn more about them. She is also an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Described by individuals as kind and generous; she is a friend to all, very humble, and willing to lend a hand when needed. When asked why it is important to volunteer, Sanderson stated, “If you see a need, there is no reason you can’t step up and help if able.”
