April 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Shannon Cobb, Director Community Outreach and Communications
914-227-9313

Volunteer Spirit Awards Honor Outstanding Community Service

What does a talented teenager who has brought the gift of music to hundreds of young people, volunteers who give their time to drive the elderly to doctor’s visits and a dedicated advocate for abused and neglected children have in common?  They are all among the award winners who will be recognized for exceptional community service at The Volunteer Center’s 30th Annual Spirit Awards Celebration at the Renaissance  Westchester Hotel on Friday, April 23rd. Lou Young, the popular CBS News Broadcast Journalist will emcee the celebration.

The eight award winners represent outstanding individuals and groups who have given of their time, experience and expertise to enhance the quality of life in their communities. Recipients of the “Volunteer Spirit Awards” are nominated by non-profit organizations throughout the area and are selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges. 

New York Life Insurance Company and Reader’s Digest Association are long-time lead sponsors of the event. This year they are joined by Belmay, Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Other significant support comes from OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation.  

Alisa Kesten of New Rochelle, Executive Director of The Volunteer Center, said, “We welcome this opportunity to celebrate the many volunteers who provide public service throughout Westchester and Putnam.  During these difficult times,” she added, “non-profits are stretched to the limit, and effective volunteers are indispensable if meaningful services and programs are to be delivered.”

The 2010 Spirit Award winners are:

• Going Green Award: - Jennifer Jensen of Larchmont  for creating and running  the Master Composter and Recycler’s Training program, which has prepared 25 other volunteers to spread the word on “reduce, reuse and recycle” throughout the County - Nominated by Sheldrake Environmental Center
• Emergency Response Award: Putnam County Demand Response Medical Transportation for providing dependable and affordable rides to doctors’ offices for isolated seniors in rural Putnam County - Nominated by RSVP Putnam County
• Education and Literacy Award: Terry Keith of White Plains for the mentoring, guidance and nurturing she offers as a “surrogate guidance counselor” to help young people prepare for college and for life - Nominated by White Plains Youth Bureau
• Social Justice Award: Monica Gray of Larchmont has been a steadfast and effective voice for abused children caught up in the legal system as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer - Nominated by the Mental Health Association of Westchester County, Inc.
• New York Life Youth in Action Award:: Michael Alba, Matthew Bernacchia,and Matthew Arana of Yonkers, three young men from Fordham Prep who can be counted on to  deliver hot meals, food packages, a smile and  welcome conversation to the homebound elderly - Nominated by Meals on Wheels 10708, Inc
• New York Life Youth Leader Award: Chantal Noreika of Croton-on-Hudson who has devoted over 250 hours to every aspect of our environment  as a role model and leader in the Teens in Teatown volunteer program - Nominated by Teatown Lake Reservation
• Arts Culture and Recreation Award : Vanessa Torres of Harrison, a teenager who has provided  musical experiences and lessons as a performer and mentor to over 200 children to help them develop their talent - Nominated by Songcatchers After School Program
• Quality of Life Award: Hilary Ward of Mamaroneck who designed and created an effective   tool to help end-of-life ALS patients communicate their needs and feelings - Nominated by Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester

The 2010 Volunteer Spirit Awards Celebration takes place on Friday, April 23rd at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel on Red Oak Lane in West Harrison, 8am to 10am and is open to the public.  Ticket prices are $50 per person and $35 for non-profit staff member.  For further information about reservations, call The Volunteer Center at 914-948-4452 or e-mail to vsa@volunteer-center.org.

For more than six decades, The Volunteer Center has evolved to meet the changing needs in our community, connecting volunteers of all ages to service projects, helping nonprofits run better volunteer programs through professional development, and giving corporations wrap-around services for effective employee volunteer programs.  During the past year alone, The Volunteer Center engaged 15,000 volunteers in our community who contributed over 283,000 hours of service valued at almost $8 million.  To learn more and get involved visit www.volunteer-center.org or call 914-948-4452.