Volunteer brings smiles, songs as he helps others
Published: April 11, 2005
John ”Sparky” Crawford, a retired barber who lives at the Fishkill Health Center, greeted volunteer Carmine Civitello as he entered the multipurpose room in his motorized wheelchair.
Crawford, 82, looked out the window while Civitello finished an interview with a reporter. Civitello then walked over to the window and sang Crawford’s favorite Italian love song, ”Mala Femmena.”
Crawford said he has known Civitello for seven years and looks forward to his visits, especially the performances.
”I don’t know a word of what he says. But, oh, he sings it, he sings it with his heart,” Crawford said. ”I love the guy and a lot of people here love him, too.”
Entertaining residents such as Crawford is a passion for Civitello, 75, a Beacon resident and retired Verizon switchman.
Civitello has volunteered at the Fishkill Health Center for 13 years. He visits three to seven days a week to help with the exercise program and take the senior citizens to lunch, shopping trips and musical performances.
He also helps out with birthday parties, Grandparents’ Day and Christmas events, when he dresses up as Santa Claus for nursing home residents and their families.
”I want to do something that helps other people. I’m lucky my Creator has blessed me with health and prosperity,” Civitello said. ”My wife encouraged me to do this volunteering instead of being nothing. Sleeping and watching TV is not going to be my thing.”
Described as ’sunshine’
Adrianna Bartels, health center volunteer coordinator, said Civitello is one of many dedicated volunteers and noted he does everything from helping out with religious programs to taking the residents to picnics.
”He is just absolutely — you don’t often use this expression for a man — a ray of sunshine,” Bartels said. She said he always sings to the residents and staff, and one of his favorite songs is ”O Sole Mio.”
Civitello also has volunteered with AARP for 11 years to help senior citizens and low-income people fill out income-tax returns.
In January, he began helping out at the Howland Public Library. He also gathers medicine price lists for the state Attorney General’s prescription drug prices Web site.
Maureen Darcy, the Howland Public Library circulation supervisor, said Civitello is a great volunteer. ”He’s special because he doesn’t just help. He has goodness in him. He’s a gentleman,” Darcy said. ”He goes out of his way to help people and he started working here to help us out and he takes pride in everything he does.”
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