Because of their volunteer work, they were this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Exemplary Volunteer Service Award for Older Americans in Chautauqua County. The award was handed out recently during a luncheon ceremony in Albany.

They were nominated by Dana Corwin of the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging.

Around eight years ago, the Perrys took over the Rev. J. Paul Womack Christmas Basket Fund at Hurlbut Church in Chautauqua Institution.

The money and donations collected are steered toward the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging’s Santa for Seniors program.

Greg Olsen, the state Office For Aging Director, is flanked by Mark and Debbie Perry. The Mayville couple was honored as this year’s Governor’s Exemplary Volunteer Service Award for Older Americans in Chautauqua County. Submitted photos

The program ensures that older residents who don’t have family are provided a basket with food and gifts at no cost.

The Office for the Aging ran the Santa for Seniors program for a number of years, but struggled during the pandemic.

“When COVID hit, the county just didn’t have the manpower or the ability to organize it any longer. They were so swamped with COVID stuff,” Debbie explained.

Since the county couldn’t run Santa for Seniors, the Perrys took over organizing the entire program.

Debbie noted that she formulates the volunteers. Some people at Mayville Baptist Church organize the gifts for the baskets, while she and her husband take care of the food baskets.

Once the baskets are packed with food and gifts, a team of volunteers deliver the baskets to seniors all over the county.

Overall, there’s about 30 people involved.

“It takes a team to make it all work,” Debbie said.

When they started there were about 70 baskets given out. Last year they handed out more than 200.

“Living in such a disadvantaged county …. the need is instantly recognizable,” Mark said.

Along with organizing the Santa for Seniors program, the Perrys are a driver for Meals on Wheels. Like the Santa for Seniors, they started volunteering during COVID-19 and have continued ever since.

Both Debbie and Mark credit their parents and their faith for instilling them the desire to volunteer in their community.

“I truly believe in my heart that the Lord asks us to serve. The best gift we can give is to serve,” Debbie said.