Close to 100 older Americans from across New York state were recently recognized for a combined millions of volunteer hours they've contributed to their communities.

During a virtual ceremony, leaders with the New York State Office for the Aging honored one or two seniors from each county in the state for the work that they do.

Leaders say even though only 36% of the state population is over the age of 50, seniors represent hundreds of millions of volunteer hours, and contribute close to $14 billion a year to the economy.

They're also the leading givers to charity and philanthropy, not to mention what they contribute to the tourism industry.

All that plus the awards event, help overcome the challenges of combating the cultural perception of ageism.

One of those volunteers, out of Chautauqua County, has been making a difference in his community for decades, both off and on the air.

For 30 years, Jamestown native Dennis Webster has been hosting his early morning radio show on WJTN 1240 AM, 101.3 FM, part of the Media One Group, and is a second-generation broadcaster, following in the footsteps of his late father Doc Webster, also an announcer there from 1951 to 1972.

"It really is quite exceptional to know that there are people out there who are with you, along with you for part of the day, every single day," Webster said.

The show offers a little bit of everything, from news, weather and sports, to light rock favorites and community features, with a focus of putting local people on the air to establish and continue that long-standing community connection.

"And you realize there's a mission to fulfill and get people to understand what's happening in their town, the good things and the bad things," Webster said.

When not on the air, Webster actively volunteers in the community and has been doing so for decades. He was one of 94 older adults across each county recently honored for that work during a virtual ceremony hosted by the state's Office for the Aging.

"It is always an honor, I think anybody would say, to be recognized for the things you regularly do on a regular day-to-day basis,” Webster said.

The state honored Webster in part for his commitment to the arts and his belief they help lay the foundation for a solid and vibrant community.

"His involvement not only in arts for older adults, but for the youth which is what he volunteers for, critically important,” New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said. “And then to have that inter-generational, to have youth orchestras be involved with somebody who's older, who has that same type of commitment and passion. There's nothing more you can say about that.”

Webster was also recognized for working with the Jamestown Community College Alumni Association, the United Senior Council of Chautauqua County, the Lions Club and the Farm Bureau.

“I think some of the people I admire most who have been around me or come before me in the community are people who show that kind of dedicated interest every week, every day,” Webster said. “To go home and have dinner and then find something else to do to give back to the community in some way and I think that we have a kind of responsibility to do that.”

Webster says seniors still have a great deal to contribute and can have a powerful, positive impact on the community. Even those who aren't as active can still keep a keen ear to what's happening.

"This program can then become a connection for them to the things that are still going on around town so they can hear those voices of the people who are putting things on,” Webster said. “I am grateful to have inherited this work, challenged by it still. It is fun, sometimes. Work, sometimes. But really is what I do. This is my life.”

At 68, the only thing he hasn't yet publicly announced is if or when he plans to slow down anytime soon. Webster was the only honoree selected from the field from Chautauqua County and was nominated by the County's Office for the Aging Advisory Council.

In part two of our series, meet one of the two award honorees from Niagara County. He's a former judge who has dedicated his time to the military and local fire service.