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In the spirit of National Volunteer Month, we’re excited to share Jeffery Kassel’s story as one of our longest volunteers at SAGE. Jeffery’s dinner service alone accounts for ~52,000 meals served at Edie Windsor since 2012, and he has been volunteering with SAGE since 1983. Thank you so much Jeffery for supporting SAGE and our elders throughout the years!

Tell us about yourself! 

My name is Jeffery Kassel (he/him); born in Brooklyn. When I was a teenager around 16 years old, I became an activist against the war in Vietnam, and when I went to CUNY for college, I became a leader in the anti-war protest movement. I worked in civil service for New York for 34 years. There was no union with that job, I helped lead unionization efforts and became a union organizer with Public Employees Federation Union; and served on its executive board and was a shop steward for over 30 years with the union. My last responsibility was a trainee coordinator in the office of temporary and disability assistance. It’s hard to separate my life from my late husband because we were together for over 40 years, and we were very close. Antino “Tony” and I loved to travel. We would go away two or three times a year, particularly in Puerto Rico where Tony was born; we’d also spend every summer in Cherry Grove (Fire Island). Most of the friends we made were other couples. It’s sad that gay people don’t form relationships and seem single throughout their lives, however that’s not been my experience. So many of my friends have been together as couples for 30, 40, even 50 years, its incredible. I was very lucky to grow up in a family that was very loving and accepted me for being what I am, for being gay.  And they welcomed Tony into their home as another member of our family. And the reverse is true as well, my husband’s family welcomed me as another son in their family and although Tony has passed away his family continues to be very close to me and they treat me as an uncle and a brother-in-law.

Jeffrey Kassel and his Late Husband Antonio “Tony” Hidalgo have been involved with SAGE since 1983.

As a volunteer, what do you do and what is your favorite part of volunteering with SAGE?

When Tony and I wanted to do some volunteer work, that was in 1983 because we wanted to return something to the community. We chose SAGE because we knew it was a great organization even back then to volunteer with, and even though Tony and I were young, we realized that hopefully SAGE would be there for us someday, and over the years we became SAGE members as well as volunteers. Tony and I were volunteers on the Socials committee, and I continue on that committee after my husband’s passing. Now the Socials at Edie Windsor SAGE Center are held every other month, and its an opportunity for older LGBTQIA+ folks to let their hair down, be comfortable, socialize, dance, have a great meal, and be entertained. I also volunteer once a week at the Edie Windsor SAGE Center dinner, feeding at least 60-100 people a shift. There are people who come to dinner because they need the meal, because of financial reasons, however, I love that members really thrive with the communal socializing and linger and stay late in order to be with their friends in a comfortable safe space.

Over the last 41 years, I have been inspired by the positive attitude of so many women and men we have met, such as three recent volunteers who passed away within the last 2 years: Jerre Kalbas, Dom Tolipani, and Larry Lala.

Now as I continue to volunteer, I know that SAGE is here for me!

What does volunteering at SAGE mean to you?

Volunteering at SAGE makes me feel good, because I’m doing something for the LGBTQIA+ community; particularly for women and men who have gotten older. I volunteer to ensure I’m giving something back to my community, the LGBTQIA+ community, which is especially important when considering that older people need extra help.

How has your experience volunteering with our older adult members enriched your understanding of LGBTQIA+ community?

I’ve met such wonderful people as a volunteer meeting both other volunteers and members all of whom have been so inspirational to me. The people I have met have set an example in how to age gracefully.

What would you say to someone who might be considering volunteering at SAGE?

We don’t know what the future will bring, but if we’re lucky, we get to grow older, and it would be wonderful if an organization like SAGE which is dedicated to helping LGBTQIA+ persons could be around for every generation.

To get involved as a volunteer with SAGE, email volunteer@sageusa.org. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.