Ruby Manwarren is the recipient of the 2025 Chenango County Area Agency On Aging (AAOA) Volunteer of the Year award and will be honored in May, along with award winners from other counties at a luncheon hosted by the New York State Office for the Aging in Albany. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH — Each year on Older New Yorkers Day, the New York State Office for the Aging honors older adults for their volunteerism.

This year, Ruby Manwarren is the recipient of the 2025 Chenango County Area Agency On Aging (AAOA) Volunteer of the Year award and will be honored in May, along with award winners from other counties at a luncheon hosted by the New York State Office for the Aging in Albany.

“The event celebrates healthy aging, the power of engagement and gives each county the opportunity to recognize someone who embodies that,” said Chenango County AAOA Director Heather Felter.

She noted statistics show the agency program overcomes the stereo-types of aging and in Chenango County, many seniors aged 55-plus are volunteering totaling about 3,150.

AAOA Nutrition Services Coordinator Erin Confer said Ruby has been volunteering in the community and working with the agency over 36 years and is well versed in the volunteer community.

“She easily fell into the role of volunteering because of her caring and giving personality,” said Confer. “And she goes way above and beyond helping the site manager at the community center in producing the food and getting it out to the seniors.”

Confer said she brings delicious homemade desserts and a sense of home to every community event.

Ruby said, “I love working with people and baking and cooking things so that people can benefit.”

She can be seen at the Norwich City Schools sports concession window, the food booth at Pop Warner football games and at the Senior Center lunch offered every weekday by the Chenango County AAOA.

A lifelong resident of New York, Ruby stated she worked several jobs before deciding to stay home and raise her three children.

She and her husband, Lewie, who is also a generous volunteer, enjoy spending time with their three children, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.