Mayor Bloomberg and ReServist Sheila Washington

Photo courtesy of Colin Clark

The 2009 Reservist Recognition Reception in mid-June hosted by ReServe and Mayor Bloomberg welcomed more than 400 guests who were in high spirits at the informal gathering and barbecue on the lawn of Gracie Mansion. The reception was the third annual event that ReServe has held to recognize the work that ReServists are doing, although the first time the event included Mayor Bloomberg.

As guests mingled and enjoyed the food, beverages and the Maddock NYC Trio, sponsored by ReServe, the Mayor invited any and all to join him, one at a time, for a handshake and a souvenir photo.

In addition to more than 300 active ReServists, guests included members of the ReServe Board of Directors, its office staff and representatives of 12 city agencies and 85 private nonprofit organizations that currently have ReServists on board.

Speakers were Mayor Bloomberg; Jack Rosenthal, a ReServe founder and current Chairman of the Board; and Sheila Washington, a ReServist who is serving the AARP Foundation.

“I might qualify as a ReServist myself,” the Mayor said. “I’m a card-carrying member of the AARP, who works in City government, for $1 a year.”

The Mayor spoke about the history of ReServe, its mission to connect baby boomers with civic engagement opportunities at nonprofits and city agencies, and its founders Jack Rosenthal and Herb Sturz.  “We’re incredibly grateful to them for mobilizing the talents of retired New Yorkers,” he said.  “It’s a great deal for New York, so on behalf of all New Yorkers let me say how grateful we are for your service.”

After thanking ReServists for “demonstrating, with [their] service, the sustained contribution that older adults can make to society,” Rosenthal spoke of Dr. Robert N. Butler, prize-winning author, gerontologist and psychiatrist who coined the word ‘ageism’ to reflect discrimination.

Butler, he said, “believes that living longer may be the most important phenomenon of the modern era. There always have been the few who lived to be very old, Rosenthal said, “but never before have so many people lived so long and so strong.  Millions can now look forward after retirement to 20 and more years of decent health, sustainable income, productivity and service.”

And service, he noted, is what ReServe is about. Since the organization was begun four years ago, “We have placed some 850 ReServists in places as varied as the American Museum of Natural History, Sanctuary for Families and the Department of Consumer Affairs.  Our budget is $1.5 million and is producing work valued at three times that.”

Washington was an accomplished leader to emerging businesses in California, where she was educated. When she left gainful employment, she moved back to New York where she found ReServe to be the perfect route for turning ideas into projects in the nonprofit sector. “I salute all the key players-ReServe, the organizations, and most importantly the ReServists,” she said. “It is this collaboration that makes things happen to get ideas done.”

At the Gracie Mansion fete, the rain held off to the end, and the crowd dispersed with a renewed sense of accomplishment and pride. The restored farmhouse overlooking the East River is designated as the mayor’s formal residence. Although Mr. Bloomberg lives in his private residence, he is no stranger to the mansion and he frequently entertains and hosts meetings there. “In fact, you’re not really guests here at all because each of you owns about one-eight millionth of this place,” the Mayor said.  “Of course that means we hope you’ll stick around and help with the dishes later…[but] you do so much for the city year-round, I think we’ll give you the night off.”