AWARDS

2005 Local Community Service Awards

Created as a result of a resolution passed at the 1996 RA, this award was created to recognize those locals that have made a collective and sustained contribution to community service during the previous year. The efforts on the part of these locals have not only enhanced the learning opportunities of students but also enriched the quality of life in their communities.

Arlington Teachers' Association
Robert Maier, President

Arlington teachers have improved conditions within the community and enhanced the quality of life for all citizens in Dutchess County. This has been demonstrated by:

* participating in the NYS Adopt-A-Highway program

* participating in the Home for the Holidays Drive for Dutchess Outreach

* participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

* raising over $16,000 and sponsoring and participating in The Breakfast Club benefiting children

Bay Shore Classroom Teachers Association
Donna Doyle, President

The Bayshore Classroom Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing to the Dollars for Scholars

* contributing to the Operation Iraqi Freedom "School Supplies" Acres Foundation

* contributing to the Bay Shore Community Ambulance Corps

* contributing to the Bay Shore Beautification Society

Bayport-Blue Point Teachers Association
Marcia Meirowitz, President

The Bayport-Blue Point Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* raising over $4000 for the Susan B. Komen National Denim Day

* supporting the Mercy Center

* awarding seven scholarships

Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers
Frederick Hamilton, President

The Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers considers community service to be an integral function of their local. In 2004 they demonstrated this by:

* participating in a Community Wellness Council Walk-a-Thon and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* presenting nine $500 scholarships for seniors

* collecting donations for the AIDS/Africa Program

Bethpage Congress of Teachers
Karen Thomas, President

The Bethpage Congress of Teachers has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* contributing to Toys for Tots

* awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors

Cassadaga Valley Faculty Association
John Ognibene, President

The Cassadaga Valley Faculty Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* awarding seven $500 scholarships to graduating seniors

* donating $300 to each of the three district public libraries

* participating in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* hosting a community event with a national recording artist to benefit the local food pantries

Cheektowaga Central Teachers Association
Janet Goddard, President

The Cheektowaga Central Teachers' Association has continued its commitment to contributing to the community during 2004 by:

* donating $1,000 to the Adopt-a-Family/Needy Family Fund

* sponsoring 30 members for the "Making Strides Against Beast Cancer Walk"

* participating in Adopt-a-Highway cleanup

* awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a senior planning to join the teaching profession

Copiague Teachers Association
Rosemary Lipkin, President

The goal of the Copiague Teachers' Association was to make all members more aware of their union's activities and their efforts to support the children of the Copiague community. In 2004, the CTA demonstrated this by:

* donating a full page ad for the Copiague Madrigals Dinner

* awarding scholarships to graduating seniors

* distributing kindergarten books

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Dover-Wingdale Teachers' Association
William Zmudosky, President

Members of the Dover-Wingdale Teachers' Association have had a year-long commitment to community service. They have shown this by:

* awarding four $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors

* raising over $2,500 for local organizations and charities

* holding the annual Alice Lezon Memorial Golf Tournament

* donating $200 to Dollars for Scholars and $350 to the local library

Eastchester Teachers' Association
Rhonda Homes, President

Community service is an important aspect of the Eastchester Teachers' Association. During 2004, it demonstrated this by:

* donations of $500 to the food pantry drive

* $283 to the AFT drive to assist hurricane victims

* $1,000 to the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* contributions totaling $2,483 to various organizations such as Juvenile Diabetes and the local ambulance corps

Elmont Elementary Teachers' Association
Elaine Mitchell, President

The Elmont Elementary Teachers' Association believes that as a leading professional organization, the support of, and participation in, community endeavors is one of its

primary responsibilities. In 2004, it continued that commitment by:

* sponsoring an Elmont Little League Team

* conducting a Toy Drive

* collecting $3,755 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* awarding a NYSUT Friend of Education Award and scholarships to graduating seniors

Farmingdale Federation of Teachers
Kenneth Ulric, President

The Farmingdale Federation of Teachers consistently evidences a belief in sevice to the community. In 2004 the Federation demonstrated this by:

* contributing to Long Island Cares

* sponsoring members participation in various "Walks for Charity"

* sponsoring a youth baseball team

* awarding scholarships and awards to local children

Gates Chili Teachers Association
William Ahearn, President

The Gates Chili Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* awarding seven $1,000 scholarships for Gates Chili graduates

* awarding a $350 Good Citizenship Award

* participating in highway clean-up

* donating $2,500 to the Breast Cancer Walk

Glen Cove Teachers' Association
Karen Ferguson, President

The Glen Cove Teachers' Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing funding and participating in the Long Island Presidents Council Public Relations Campaign

* awarding two $1,000 scholarships to deserving graduates

* participating in a community drive for non-perishable items for soldiers

Gloversville Teachers Association
Lynne Raneri, President

The Gloversville Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* sponsoring "Casual for a Cause" Fridays in support of local charities

* contributing to annual food drives and clothing/book giveaways

* teachers' contributions of over $2,000 to the United Way

annual scholarships to GHS graduates of over $2,000

Harrison Association of Teachers
Karen Magee, President

The Harrison Association of Teachers has been dedicated to supporting its community. It demonstrated this in 2004 by:

* donating over $10,000 to the Westchester Children's Hospital

* annual participation in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* involvement and contribution to the Northern Westchester Women's Shelter

* sponsorship of local sports teams and local theater performances

Hartford Faculty Association
Barbara McCarthy, President

The Hartford Faculty Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing manpower to Enlistment Center Museum Clean-up Day

* awarding $3,900 in scholarships to eight graduating

seniors

* sponsoring the St. Jude's Marathon and P.A.R.P.

* donating to the building fund for the local fire

department

Hewlett-Woodmere Faculty Association
Joan Skowronek, President

The Hewlett-Woodmere Faculty Association believes being actively involved in its community brings a partnership between school and home that leads to success. Thus it made a positive impact on its community by:

* awarding scholarships

* sponsoring little league teams

* contributing to the Walk for a Cure Breast Cancer Day and Special Olympics

* creating and maintaining a Good and Welfare Fund to assist school community members in need

Hyde Park Teachers Association
Daniel Kuffner, President

The Hyde Park Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* sponsoring and maintaining two community gardens

* annual presentation of $6,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors

* sponsoring the SPCA fundraiser and donating $1,600 in 2004

* sponsoring the golf tournament which during the last five years raised over $10,000 for each of the local libraries

Kings Park Classroom Teachers Association
Russell Mathie, President

The Kings Park Classroom Teachers Association members have been active in the community and with the community. During this past year they have demonstrated this by:

* donating over $7,000 for the American Cancer Society's Walk for Life

* participating in fundraising events to benefit United Cerebral Palsy

* supporting the March of Dimes as well as awarding three $1,000 scholarships

Kingston Teachers' Federation
Hugh Spoljaric, President

The Kingston Teachers' Federation has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* donating to the Pantry Drive benefiting the Holy Cross Church

* $500 donations to Juvenile Diabetes, Special Olympics, U.C. Mental Health, and Emil Zallo Golf Tournament

* $1,000 donations to the Kingston Library and Ulster Performing Arts

* participating in the Relay for Life

Lawrence Teachers' Association
Stephen Clements, President

The Lawrence Teachers' Association believes that its activities have had a significant and positive impact on its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* donating 50 holiday baskets to needy families

* sponsoring a little league team

* holding a senior prom for senior citizens and donating flower centerpieces

* awarding $1,600 in academic scholarships

Lockport Education Association
Ida Quade, President

Members of the Lockport Education Association remain dedicated to their students and community. Last year they demonstrated their commitment by:

* raising $4,500 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* donating $50,000 to United Way

* awarding four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors

* partnering with LSFC Union to send children to summer camp by matching funds

Long Beach Classroom Teachers Association
Frank Volpe, President

The Long Beach Classroom Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing to and supporting the Long Beach Police Benevolent Association

* contributing to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* contributing to the Disaster Relief Fund

* contributing to the holiday toy drive

Lynbrook Teachers Association
Thomas Wolber, President

The Lynbrook Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing over $24,000 to the Rhoda Dreyfuss Scholarship Fund

* awarding over $1,600 in scholarships to graduating seniors and elementary students

* participating in and raising over $2,500 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Massapequa Federation of Teachers
Rich Goldman, President

A goal for the members of the Massapequa Federation of Teachers has been to strengthen their communications between parents and the community. During 2004 they accomplished this goal by:

* sponsoring the Massapequa Coast Little League and the Massapequa International Little League

* participating in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* sponsoring the Elementary PTA Fund Raiser

Mayfield Teachers Association
Jennifer Shaad-Derby, President

The Mayfield Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* awarding the Mayfield Teachers Association Friends of Education Award

* participating in the Fulton County YMCA telethon fund raiser

* participating in Friday Dress Down for Charity

* participating in the Adopt-a-Soldier supply drive

Medina Teachers Association
David Parzych, President

The Medina Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* participating in the Breast Cancer Walk

* participating in the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup and the Corporate Challenge

* contributing to United Way

* sponsoring the New Mothers Reading Program and little league baseball

Mount Sinai Teachers Association
Mitch Wolman, President

The Mount Sinai Teachers' Association is an integral part of its community. It demonstrated this in 2004 by:

* contributing to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund

* participating in Adopt-a-Family

* supporting the Local Youth Ministry

* awarding scholarships to six graduating seniors

Newark Teachers' Association
Patricia Davidson, President

The Newark Teachers' Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* awarding two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing careers in education

* donating $500 to the Newark Public Library

* donating to the Tip-off Club, Grid-Iron Club and Operation Graduation

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk raising $2,500

Niagara Falls Teachers
Joseph Catalano, President

The Niagara Falls Teachers have continued their tradition of community service during 2004. They have had a positive impact on their community by:

* awarding five-$1,000 scholarships to seniors entering college

* conducting the annual holiday ham/turkey drive

* donating $1,400 worth of literature books to the 14 school libraries

* having over $34,000 donated by NFT members during Annual United Way Drive

North Babylon Teachers' Organization
Pamela Katz, President

The North Babylon Teachers' Organization has again demonstrated its community service spirit in 2004. Its members served as role models and got students involved in helping others by:

* contributing to the Annual Toy & Book Drive as well as the food drive

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk contributing $5,584

* providing financial support to community sports teams and youth leagues

* awarding four $500 scholarships to graduating seniors

North Bellmore Teachers Association
Randee Colter, President

Members of the North Bellmore Teachers Association feel that it is extremely important to develop and sustain a bond between the educational system and the community in which they serve. They domonstrated this in 2004 by:

* participating in New York State's Day of Recognition for all school-related professionals

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* donating new books to a local chapter of The Food and Nutrition Network

* providing awards to selected members of the graduating class

North Tonawanda United Teachers
Linda Roach, President

Members of the North Tonawanda United Teachers have again demonstrated their concern for their community by:

* awarding $500 scholarships to some 2004 graduates and six $100 savings bonds to students leaving elementary level

* donating $400 to the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

* donating $1,000 for the local phone card drive for soldiers overseas

* donating $600 in addition to food donations to the local food pantry/turkey drive

Nyack Teachers Association
Donna Ramundo, President

The Nyack Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this with:

* involvement with Youth Against Cancer

* involvement with Students Opposing Starvation

* involvement with Interact

* involvement with the Haitian Culture Club

Oceanside Federation of Teachers
Leslie Krasnoff, President

The Oceanside Federation of Teachers is committed to community outreach and public service. During 2004, members demonstrated this by:

* organizing the Annual Holiday Toy Drive

* contributing to the Oceanside Community Services

* participating in a golf tournament benefiting the ALS Clinic at Stonybrook

* participating in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers
Andrew Macavoy, President

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* participating in the Baby Clothing and Necessity Drive

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* participating in the PMCT Blood Drive

* awarding three scholarships to graduating seniors

Plainedge Federation of Teachers
Laura Pokorny, President

The Plainedge Federation of Teachers has been extremely involved in community outreach and political action. This has been demonstrated by:

* presenting five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors

* distributing a community newsletter

* raising over $10,000 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* organizing a "get out the vote" campaign for the school budget

Port Jefferson Teachers Association
Margaret Moore, President

The Port Jefferson Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* raising money for research and cures of diseases in their community

* involvement in Habitat for Humanity

* providing gifts to children in local hospitals

* donating blood in times of shortage

Solvay Teachers Association
Michael Emmi, President

The Solvay Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* awarding $2,000 in scholarships to students in K-12 for enrichment programs and $1,500 in scholarships to graduating seniors

* participating in phone banks and writing letters to support budget & school board vote

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* supporting Students Against Drunk Driving activities

Spencerport Teachers Association
Leslie Stein, President

The Spencerport Teachers Association has been dedicated to supporting its community. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* contributing to the United Way

* sponsoring the Boys & Girls Jr. Baseball teams

* participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving seniors

United Federation of Teachers
Randi Weingarten, President

The UFT has always been in the forefront in efforts to better its city and its communities. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* promoting teacher excellence and leadership through the Teacher Center

* maintaining an active health and safety program

* supporting the Dial-A-Teacher program

United Teachers of Island Trees
John Price, President

Members of the United Teachers of Island Trees continue to be an integral part of their community. In 2004 they demonstrated this by:

* collecting $2,800 for charities by sponsoring dress down Fridays

* participating in the holiday toy drive and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* donating to Adopt-a-Family

Waterville Teachers' Association
Jacqueline Battista, President

As a very small rural community, the Waterville Teachers' Association members are closely linked to this community they adore. In 2004, they demonstrated this by:

* participation in America's Greatest Heart Run and Walk and winning the award for the highest average pledge for the union division

* continued sponsorship of the community's Salvation Army Kettle

* donating a basket of local business' products for the NYSUT Regional Office's Breast Cancer Raffle

* awarding two scholarships to graduates who declare an educational major

West Hempstead Education Association
Barbara Hafner, President

Each year West Hempstead Education Association takes a pro-active view of being involved in community service. In 2004 it demonstrated this by:

* publishing and distributing a community newsletter

* collecting food baskets for the needy

* supporting phone banks for local and national elections

* awarding scholarships for graduating seniors

West Irondequoit Teachers' Association
Beverly Engel, President

Again this year, members of the West Irondequoit Teachers' Association focused their efforts on very personal and professional activities to show their dedication to the community by:

* raising $2,400 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

* sponsoring a golf tournament for Sarcoma research in memory of a former student and daughter of a WITA retiree

* providing financial support for the Florida Disaster Relief Fund

* sponsoring three annual scholarships for graduating seniors and the "Thinking About Teaching" program

Wilson Teachers' Association
Jeffrey Dabill, President

The theme for the Wilson Teachers' Association is "Committed to Community". During the past year they demonstarted this commitment by:

* awarding scholarships to graduating seniors

* participating in the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk

* participating in the United Way Day of Caring

* raising over $900 for the March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies

Yorktown Congress of Teachers
Robert Faigle, President

The Yorktown Congress of Teachers is proud of their community service program. This was demonstrated in 2004 by:

* collecting 5,200 lbs of food for the Food Pantry

* donating $1,250 to Yorktown Community Help

* contributing $3,000 to Support Connection

* donating $2,000 for the Children's Hospital in Valhalla

Yonkers Federation of Teachers
Steve Frey, President

The Yonkers Federation of Teachers believes that when parents and educators work together as partners, student achievement improves immeasurably. The YFT demonstrated this in 2004 by:

* participating in the American Cancer Society

* raising $10,200 for Westchester Children's Hospital

* awarding $9,000 in scholarships to deserving seniors

* sponsoring the annual Storybook Bonanza