TARRYTOWN- Volunteer New York! has announced seven local volunteers will be honored during their 44th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit, presented by Regeneron. Volunteer New York!’s popular breakfast benefit will take place at the Westchester Marriott at 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a post-event networking component for guests.
The Volunteer Spirit Awards is the largest volunteer recognition event of the Lower Hudson Valley and is attended annually by nearly 600 community leaders and supporters of local volunteerism. Each spring during Global Volunteer Month, Volunteer New York! recognizes a distinguished group of volunteers who have done extraordinary work in our region. Volunteers are nominated in six categories, and an independent panel of judges selects one person or group for each category.
“Each of our winners exemplifies a deep commitment to service, embodying our vision of a vibrant, resilient, and equitable community. Their actions inspire us all and demonstrate the profound difference one person can make in our communities,” said Volunteer New York! Executive Director, Jeanette Gisbert. “We are incredibly proud to honor these extraordinary individuals and grateful to our sponsors and supporters who make this celebration possible. Together, we are building a legacy of service and a stronger, more connected community.”
Tickets, congratulatory journal ads, and event sponsorship opportunities are currently available online at volunteernewyork.org/awards. For all inquiries, please contact Kelli Teglas at kelli@volunteernewyork.org.
MEET THE 2024 WINNERS
Education & Literacy Award: Jim Isenberg of White Plains
For volunteer action with Grandpas United
Going Green Award: Michael Penziner of Rye
For volunteer action with Friends of Rye Nature Center
Quality of Life Award: Laura Romeo Sobel of Dobbs Ferry
For volunteer action with Dance for a Difference
Resiliency Award: Matthew Ricker of New Rochelle
For volunteer action with New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce
Social Advocacy Award: Colleen Brathwaite of Elmsford
For volunteer action with Westchester Women’s Agenda
Youth Leadership Award: Mouhamadou Alou of Mount Vernon
For volunteer action with Mount Vernon High School
Legacy Award: Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham of Chappaqua
LEGACY AWARD
As part of the 2024 Volunteer Spirit Awards this year’s Legacy Award will be presented to former Volunteer New York! Board Chair, Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham. Learn more about Valerie at volunteernewyork.org/awards.
Every year Volunteer New York! selects a recipient for its Legacy Award that goes to a business or civic leader who has made a personal and professional commitment to volunteerism, has significantly supported the values and mission of Volunteer New York!, and who encourages deep employee and community engagement in service.
Previous Legacy Award honorees, now members of the Volunteer New York! Legacy Circle, include Betty Cotton, Markham F. Rollins, III, Matthew G. McCrosson, George Troyano, Geri Shapiro, Albert (Doug) Rogers, the Gallin Family, Deborah Fay, Celia R. Brown, and Joseph P. Roberto.
2024 VSA AWARD JUDGES
Deborah Disbrow, Phillip Ham, Jonathan Hotz, Joseph Kenner, Tanya Moximchalk, Catrina Shivers, Christine Stufano, Linda Tyler, and Lilian Wu.
VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD 2024 EVENT SPONSORS
As of February 5, 2024: Brown & Brown, Con Edison, The Gallin Family, Hudson Valley Credit Union, Mercy University, PCSB Community Foundation, PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, Regeneron, Retirement Transformed, The Seiden Family, Webster Bank, WMCHealth, and Zaro Family Bakery.
2024 BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Alisa H. Kesten, Co-Chair, Michelle A. Nicholas, Co-Chair, Joseph Ali, Tsahai Amazan, Cheryl Brannan, MS, Celia R. Brown, Eric D. Cunningham, Janine Daughtry, Julia Emrick, Ed Forbes, Emerson and Vernita Fullwood, Ally and Tom Gallin, Michael Grossman, Chereese Jervis-Hill, Susan Kushner, Carmen Martínez-López PhD, Michelle Medina, Christina and Tim Nash, Emily Rice Reynolds, A. Douglas Rogers, Mark and Jody Rollins, Amy and Mark Seiden, Joanne Taylor, Beryl Weaver, and Dan Zelem.
