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CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. Alyce Preisel celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, March 17, the way she has celebrated most other days in her life by giving to others.
In lieu of presents, the longtime hospital volunteer asked friends and family to donate to the hospital.
My goodness, this is a wonderful place to live, youve got to give back for all the blessings that youve gotten, said Preisel, about her decision to donate to the hospital in lieu of gifts.
John C. Federspiel, president of Hudson Valley Hospital Center, said that this is right in character with what Preisel has done most of her life.
We are very moved by this gift and wish Alyce a very happy 90th birthday, Federspiel said.
Preisel has volunteered at the hospital for more than 27 years. She has greeted patients at the hospitals information desk for 17 years and has been a member of Hudson Valley Hospitals Auxiliary Board for 27 years. She has also served on the hospitality shop committee. According to hospital officials, Preisel has chaired events and raised money whenever a hand was needed.
Alyce Preisel is an energetic, caring woman who gives so much to Hudson Valley Hospital Center and the community she lives in, her credo is Let me know what I can do to help. She is a role model for other volunteers and many of our staff members, said Tonja Inlaw, director of volunteer services at Hudson Valley Hospital Center.
Preisel lived in New York City before moving to Peekskill in 1952. With her husband, Jack, they raised four children of their own. They also became foster boarding parents to 50 infants over the years through Adoption Services of Westchester.
Previously, Preisel worked as a secretary at St. Columbanus School for 20 years. She still is active in the church and continues to help in the school as a volunteer teachers aid when she is not at the hospital.
You cant sit home and wait to die, so you just get up and go, Preisel said about finding the energy to endeavor so many charitable deeds. When it comes to retirement she said, What do you do all day, your dishes, your wash, you vacuum, and that cant be done seven days a week.
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