The Winners of the 2008 Volunteer Spirit Awards!

		Arts, Culture and Recreation Award Rosemarie Castellano Nominated by Songcatchers Inc. As their volunteer String Coordinator, Rosemarie Castellano is the “bow” that helps the extraordinary Songcatchers After School Music Program create music. Rosemarie is a founding member of this unique program, which has provided music lessons to the children of low income, immigrant families in the southwest end of New Rochelle for the past decade. In Rosemarie’s creative hands, the string program has grown to be one of their largest and most successful. Three of her students who started ten years ago on half-size violins at the age of seven are now volunteer instructors. One of her pupils is associate first chair in the New Rochelle High School Orchestra and recently performed in the prestigious Pelham Music Festival. Rosemarie has worked with this talented young woman one-on-one, arranging and accompanying her to rehearsals and special performances. Rosemarie wears many hats. She serves on the Songcatchers Board of Directors and helps tell their story as Publicity Co-Chair. She was also indispensable in the development of the Songcatcher Instrumental Ensemble. These 12 violin volunteers from three high schools and the community performed Bach and Vivaldi and accompanied the group’s Concert Choir at a gala performance that opened the Songcatchers’ 10th anniversary celebration. Rosemarie brings to her volunteer commitment her professional expertise as a marketing analyst as well as her talents as an outstanding musician and teacher – and brings it all with grace and generosity.
		Social Justice Award GrandPower Advocates Nominated by Family Service Society of Yonkers The GrandPower Advocates, a core group of activists over 55, have over the past three years successfully put the needs of grandparents and relativecaregivers on the radar of Westchester’s policy makers, agency administrators and the public. These committed advocates mobilize and train others to join them. Most are raising children at a stage in their lives when they should be enjoying retirement, but they have unselfishly stepped in to actively parent in order to counteract the damage that can be caused by child abuse, neglect, abandonment, incarceration or death. They have opened the lines of communication between relative caregivers and the Westchester Department of Social Services. Tangible results of their work include the naming of liaisons in DSS offices trained to assist caregivers, a brochure outlining caregivers’ benefits, camp and school clothing scholarships, holiday presents and training for staff on the special needs of this population. Most important is the personal touch and love they bring to their cause. One GrandPower Advocate is so well known around Yonkers City Hall that she is simply referred to as “Grandma.” Another is the Co-Chair of the Westchester County Grandparents Coalition. Over the past year, the group hosted such great family fun events as a Mother’s Day luncheon, Family Outing, Grandparents’ Day Tribute, Thanksgiving Family Potluck and a festive Holiday Buffet featuring one of the GrandPower Advocates’ great grandsons as the event’s deejay!
		Quality of Life Award Katherine Ruth Kornblum Nominated by Sarah Neuman Health and Rehabilitation Center Katherine Ruth Kornblum (known as “Ruth”) at the age of ninety is a true “Renaissance” woman who makes a huge impact on the lives of the residents of the Sarah Neuman Health and Rehabilitation Center. Nurse, aviator, artist, music and theater buff, she has served hundreds of residents, patients, clients and staff with energy, intelligence, dedication and all with a smile on her face. Over the past fifteen years, Ruth has maintained a three-day-a-week schedule at Sarah Neuman, doing almost everything in the volunteer office except for using the computer, which she insists still remains a mystery to her. She keeps volunteers on their toes, making sure that medical records are accurate and up-to-date. She has made a major impact on the lives of others as an advocate for elders and serves as a one-woman welcoming committee, visiting new patients and residents, greeting them with a smile and a special gift. Even a broken hip, the result of a fall leaving a theater in New York a year ago, could not stop her! While physically mending and participating in rehab at Sarah Neuman, she refused to stop volunteering and continued her work from her room. Ruth’s background reads like a 1940’s film script. A graduate of Mount Sinai Nursing School, she worked at the hospital until World War II when she joined a military hospital unit. An experienced pilot, she learned that the Army Air Force was recruiting women with flying experience and transferred to the WAAF. After the war, she went back to nursing, met and married her husband Ira, lived in Greenwich Village, then moved to suburban White Plains to raise her family. Ruth and Ira came to Sarah Neuman in 1991 and began their threeday- a-week volunteer schedule. Ira passed away in 1995, and Ruth continued her steadfast commitment to the Center. “We couldn’t get along without her,” says Amy Lionheart, Director of Volunteers. Ruth adds immeasurably to the quality of life for Sarah Neuman elders. With over 7,700 hours of service, Ruth Kornblum is truly a “Volunteer Personified!”
		Emergency Responder Award Robert Coulombe Nominated by Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps When the call goes out for emergency response, you can count on EMT Bob Coulombe to be there 24/7. He has been an Emergency Medical Technician volunteer with the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps for the past 15 years. In a typical week, he signs up for 30-40 hours of duty. His pager is never turned off. The Ambulance Corps serves most of New Castle as well as parts of Mount Pleasant and Mount Kisco, and Bob responds to well over 100 calls a year within that area as well as in adjacent towns. Bob is a driving force in emergency services in the community. Several years ago, membership of the Ambulance Corps had dwindled to such a degree that it appeared it would be necessary to hire EMTs to provide coverage for the town. Bob initiated and carried out a recruitment plan that brought new life and expanded membership to the Corps providing the community with a continuing flow of new EMTs. He has initiated many preparedness programs including CPR training for bus drivers and first aid courses for Cub and Boy Scouts. Bob has organized numerous inter-agency drills, in which several agencies learn to work together in the event of a mass disaster or terrorist incident. One example was a drill at the Bell School simulating a hazardous materials’ accident. He brought together police, fire, county hazmat, paramedic and volunteer ambulance agencies to help them learn how to deal with this type of dangerous incident. Bob exemplifies the role of Emergency Responder. He volunteered at Ground Zero after 9/11 and was in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Bob is fully trained in methods to prepare emergency responders to perform safely and effectively during emergencies and has provided county-wide trainings for other first responders. We in Westchester are fortunate to have this skilled and dedicated EMT so committed to our safety and security.
		Going Green Award Hastings High School Environmental Club Nominated by Groundwork Yonkers/Saw Mill Coalition Three years ago, the Hastings High School’s Environmental Club “adopted” the Groundwork Yonkers/Saw Mill River Coalition’s invasive vine cutting project, and their dedicated commitment to this important environmental venture has made a tremendous ecological difference in the County. Along the Saw Mill Parkway at Farragut Avenue in Yonkers, there are beautiful sycamores and other large trees that are being strangled by invasive vines. Without the shade of these trees, the temperature of the river would rise, and this important habitat for birds and animals would be jeopardized. This group of students has made the Free-A-Tree project their priority and volunteer regularly between November and May to cut and remove vines from trees. Freeing trees is not easy. It is very hard physical work and training is necessary to learn how to identify, cut and pull out vines. The group has been so dependable and effective that the Coalition has provided them with hard hats and safety vests, and the students bring their own tools (loppers and clippers) to do this grueling job. They also do clean-up, removing litter along the parkway and trails. The youngsters are so enthusiastic that they have recruited many parents to join them, and this “green” adventure has become a family project! Well over 150 trees have been freed since the Free-A-Tree project began, and the cumulative work that the Hastings High School club has done is working wonders at this location. Trees that were shrouded in vines are now free. Citizens are using the Trailway and calling to let the Coalition know how much better the site looks. The site has been targeted for a major restoration and development project – thanks in great part to the hard work and dedication of these involved young “green” volunteers.
		Education & Literacy Award Sponsored by Reader’s Digest Association Joan T. Virgin Nominated by Jewish Council of Yonkers When Joan Virgin, a former teacher with 25 years experience in the Mount Vernon schools, came to volunteer with SMART, they told us “From our first conversation with Joan, we knew we had struck gold!” SMART (Students and Mature Adults Read Together) is an intergenerational literacy program of the Jewish Council of Yonkers. It matches adult volunteers as mentors with youth who are reading below grade level to work with them one-on-one to enhance their reading skills. Joan started mentoring immediately and with her total commitment to the school system and her local community, she nurtured existing relationships and developed new ones. Joan single-handedly brought 15 new mentors into the SMART program (including Cliff, her husband of 50 years!). Her enthusiasm and drive were important factors in helping SMART expand their program to the Parker School in south Mount Vernon. In addition to mentoring there, Joan coordinates the successful program, oversees its operation and serves as on-site good-will ambassador. She worked with her college sorority sisters to collect hundreds of donated books and created a SMART corner in the school library, which now serves as a resource for the entire school. Joan holds degrees in special education, learning disabilities and reading resources. Although Joan has officially retired from her teaching career in the Mount Vernon school system, she has by no means stopped teaching. She currently is on the faculty of Mercy College, teaching courses in reading, social studies, English and art. In addition, Joan finds the time to take advantage of and participate in the professional development seminars the Council offers their SMART mentors. The 35 participants in a recent “SMART Institute” truly felt history come alive when Joan shared her experience as an African- American marching with Dr. Martin Luther King in Washington, DC. Joan exemplifies the true spirit of community service. Her selfless efforts have benefited her students, her fellow mentors, her community, SMART and the Jewish Council of Westchester.
		New York Life Youth In Action Award Westchester County Youth Council Nominated by Family Services of Westchester The mission of the Westchester County Youth Council is to empower teens to become an active and effective voice for youth issues throughout the County. The Youth Council, made up of 30 members from 12 school districts across Westchester, engages young people in discussions about issues that matter most to teens. Each year, the Council organizes and presents a county-wide Youth Action Convention, whose purpose is to provide a forum for young people to have an open dialogue on subjects that run the gamut from political discourse to healthy lifestyle choices, from environmental sustainability to advocating against Big Tobacco. In order to showcase some of the more critical issues facing teens today, peer-led workshops address provocative topics in an effort to increase youth participation and lead each other in making sound life decisions. A highlight of last year’s Convention was a debate on the proposed Congressional ban on social networking web sites like MySpace and FaceBook. Workshops addressed wide-ranging issues from self injury behavior, to healthy relationships, to the art of constructive complaining. The Westchester County Youth Council gives our young people the opportunity to speak and learn from their peers. It enables youth to understand the problems facing them and look for solutions to solve them. It empowers teens across Westchester and helps them develop into the leaders of tomorrow.
		New York Life Youth Leader Award LeeAnn Byrne Nominated by The Support Connection, Inc. Eight years ago, LeeAnn Byrne, then thirteen years old, came to the Support Connection looking to make a community commitment to honor the memory of her mother, who had died of ovarian cancer when LeeAnne was seven. The Support Connection, founded in 1996, delivers emotional, social and educational support services to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer. It was a perfect match! Since she made the “Connection,” LeeAnne has logged over 3,000 hours working in the office, spreading the word about available services at special events and helping prepare for the annual Support-A-Walk. Due to her hard work, passion and talent, she has helped touch thousands of lives. The annual Support-A-Walk is designed to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer and raise money to help fund services. Before LeeAnn became involved, Support-A-Walk was comprised of individual participants. Then LeeAnn took the initiative and organized teams. She designed a packet for team registration, made follow-up phone calls and organized team participation. There were 800 people in the first Walk. The result of LeeAnn’s efforts has translated into over 9,000 participants, including over 200 teams with 6,000 team walkers and sponsors. LeeAnn is now 20 years old, a junior in college, and has decided to pursue a career in social work. Katherine Quinn, Executive Director of The Support Connection, notes, “LeeAnn is an exceptional person. Deciding to deal with the devastating loss of her own mother by helping others with cancer, LeeAnn continues to help Support Connection fulfill their mission. Even though she was only turning thirteen when she joined us, her work ethic and ideas were extraordinary. She gives of her time and talent willingly and is always available to help, never looking for anything in return. All her volunteer efforts are based on the power of caring and doing something that will reach people in a positive way. Support Connection is a better place because of her volunteering here.”