Born and raised in Kingston, **Mary Tuma** has spent a lifetime giving back to the community she proudly calls home. Together with her husband, Garry—also a dedicated volunteer—Mary has built a life centered around family, service, and helping others. She is the proud mother of four children, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother of one.
Mary’s commitment to volunteering began while raising her children and has continued throughout her life. Over the years, she has served as a PTO President, Girl Scout Brownie Troop Leader, and volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ulster County, Kingston City Schools Consolidated, and the Ulster County Office for the Aging. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including **Big Sister of the Year**, the **Red Apple Award**, and **Senior Volunteer of the Year**.
In 2015, Mary joined the **Ulster County Italian American Foundation (UCIAF)**, where she became Director of its Community Care Program, helping individuals and families in the community facing immediate need. Through this work, Mary has had the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and lasting relationships with nonprofits, agencies, volunteers, and community organizations throughout Ulster County.
Her extensive community involvement includes volunteering and collaborating with Ulster County Community Action, Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration (Vet2Vet), The Salvation Army of Kingston, Ulster County SPCA, Ulster County Office for the Aging, Ulster County Veterans Service Agency, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Wellness Unit and Outreach, Radio Kingston, White Eagle Benevolent Society, and, of course, **People’s Place**.
Mary credits UCIAF with giving her the opportunity to collaborate with so many remarkable people and organizations and is especially grateful for the hardworking and dependable UCIAF volunteers she has the privilege of serving alongside.
For Mary, volunteering is more than something she does—it has been a thread woven throughout her life. Her compassion, generosity, and longstanding commitment to her neighbors embody the spirit of community that **Harvest of Hope** celebrates.
**People’s Place is proud to honor Mary Tuma as our 2026 People’s Place Volunteer Honoree.**
