2007 Jefferson Award Medalists

The following information appeared in the Times Union on April 6, 2007.

Beecher, Raymond
Coxsackie

Beecher, 89, has been an advocate for Greene County and its history for half a century, serving the Greene County Historical Society in such posts as chairman and board president and as a volunteer librarian at the society's Veeder Research Library. He was the driving force behind a new library building and GCHS acquiring and restoring Cedar Grove, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill. Author of area history books "Letters From a Revolution," "Under Three Flags," "Out to Greenville" and "Where Nature Met Art," Beecher is working on another book.

Bernstein, Maureen
Delmar

Bernstein organizes visits for veterans to the Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Albany, and prepares meals, provides entertainment and has built a garden for residents at Marie Rose Manor Apartments in Slingerlands. She also raises funds and prepares a luncheon for the Town of Bethlehem Seniors and delivers greeting cards and meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House. She is active in sorting and collecting food for the St. Thomas Food Pantry and conducts fund drives for local animal and battered-women shelters. She implemented a program for students to cook meals for residents at the Reilly House in Delmar.

Brearton, Jessica
Troy

Brearton began volunteering in 1993, at age 13. She started as a junior volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital. She assisted with bingo at Woodland Village, an adult home in Troy, while in high school at the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany. While attending Union College, Schenectady, Brearton helped children in first through 12th grades with their homework at Cocoa House, an after-school drop-in center in Hamilton Hill, Schenectady. Most recently, with Literacy Volunteers of America, she worked for almost a year at the Schaghticoke Library with an older man who was in danger of losing his job as a truck driver after his employer found out he could not read. Brearton is currently an eighth-grade social studies teacher.

Buckley, Margaret 
Latham

Buckley, 69, is a dedicated volunteer at the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, Menands, where every day for the past seven years she has walked the dogs. She initiated the Senior Animals In Need of Thee, or SAINT, program. When Buckley finds that an old, infirm dog is not adjusting well to shelter life, she takes it home and fosters the animal until it gets adopted. She sponsors the full adoption fee of every senior animal (7 years or older) at the shelter. A retired schoolteacher, Buckley also volunteers at her church's soup kitchen and visits nursing homes to comfort residents.

Cepiel, Linda
Mechanicville

Cepiel doesn't limit volunteer efforts to just one thing. She's dedicated her time to the Stillwater Parent-Teacher Association in a variety of ways for more than nine years, including the last four in executive positions. Her involvement helped the group gain recognition by the National PTA. She also teaches religious studies at Corpus Christi Church, Ballston Lake, preparing young members of the congregation for religious sacraments. She also is a sports coach for indoor and outdoor soccer and has coached T-Ball. For the past nine years, her family has hosted children from France, Germany, Ireland and Ecuador. While her husband is deployed, Cepiel helps other families cope with their loved ones being overseas. She also is the chairwoman of the Independence Party in Stillwater and is active in town government.

Whether it's $1 or thousands, Chatelain is committed to raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Chatelain, a classroom aide at Tesago Elementary School, organizes fundraisers at the school, including "Tape the Teacher to the Wall," a spring Beanie Baby sale or the districtwide Dress Down Day. Chatelain also formed Team Chris, in memory of her son Christopher, who died from the disease. Each year, friends and family participate in Walk for a Cure as part of Team Chris. So far, they've donated more than $25,000 to the foundation. Chatelain also has a special love of animals and volunteers at animal shelters and organizes pet food drives. She's planning to travel to Utah in April to donate her time to the Best Friends Animal Shelter.

Corsale, Eugene

Six years was all it took for Corsale to revitalize the Spa City's Gideon Putnam the burial ground for the city's founder. In 2000, the cemetery was in disrepair. Tombstones were broken, and the grounds were strewed with bottles and broken glass. Corsale secured $100,000 in state funding and $4,000 from public contributions to revitalize the resting place for Putnam. Today, the cemetery is one of the city's historic gems, drawing tourists and schoolchildren. Corsale has also chaired the committee to restore St. Peter's War Monument. He presents programs about history, culture and preservation in the city and serves as director emeritus of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Society.

Volunteers at the Clifton Park Community Based Outpatient Clinic, a satellite primary care facility of the Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center. DeSorbe leads a weekly group with the VA's MOVE (Managing Obesity for Veterans Everywhere) program, which customizes diet and exercise regimens for veterans. He provides rides to doctors' appointments for any veteran in need and has recruited other volunteers with his positive outlook and dedication to his fellow veterans.

Driscoll's untiring efforts preserving his love of natural areas and community connections goes back to being founding member and president of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. Driscoll often is found on the conservancy's preserves, clearing trails, marking boundaries and photographing the scenic wonders. His passion for nature goes further as founder of the Onesquethaw-Coeymans Watershed Council. Driscoll also shows his civic dedication as member of the Knox Planning Board and Knox Kiwanis. He is on the boards of directors of the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville and the Patroon Foundation. Driscoll's passion for music shows when he entertains residents as he plays the French horn in the Delmar Community Orchestra and his church.

Fitzgerald, Jim

Fitzgerald is the founder of Sports Are For Everyone, or SAFE, an athletic program for children with special needs program lets disabled children participate in community-sponsored recreation, play a team sport and have fun. He is instrumental in getting court time for the children's sports programs and keeping insurance in place. When public grant money doesn't go far enough, Fitzgerald funds sports programs out of his pocket. His service to members of the community who cannot speak for themselves has endeared "Coach Jim" to many.

The death of Harmon's son David of AIDS in 1995 dramatically altered her life. She joined a care team helping those with HIV/AIDS at their church, St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, and participated in the first training class sponsored by the Eddy Visiting Nurses Association in helping patients living with HIV/AIDS. Now, Harmon is considered instrumental to the Eddy VNA care team program. Harmon reached out further by serving on Catholic Charities AIDS Services board; reading for RISE, WMHT's radio service for blind and print-disabled people; and participating in the Quilt Display and World AIDS Day ceremonies. A former Albany High School teacher, Ellen and her husband raised 10 children and have 11 grandchildren.

Herzog has served the community for decades. He has combined his education and experience to offer exciting and sustainable programs in Albany County. Herzog, a dentist, has a tradition at his office of adopting needy families with children, providing them with free dental care. He has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America since 1974, volunteers at Slingerlands and Bethlehem middle schools, and is a Junior Achievement teacher. He was instrumental in implementing the return of the soap box derby in Albany and promotes the spiritual and material well-being of local young people.

For 30 years, Johnson worked the annual apple sales, county fair, blood drives, Kindercrafters and Last Nite events. Johnson attends the Presbyterian Church in Valatie, where she has been a member of the choir for over 20 years and served on the board of deacons for over 25 years. She knits for the Warms Up America program and the ecumenical midnight runs to New York City, and helps with all fundraisers for her church. She has also been a member of Columbia Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for 23 years and 15 months ago became a member of the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Valatie, where she checks dates, stocks shelves and distributes food.

Levy's busy life rearing five children with her husband and running a business didn't keep her away from helping out after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She dedicated her free time to researching, gathering, sorting, packing and sending over 30,000 books and supplies to schools, religious organizations, shelters and libraries in and around the New Orleans area, a project of Levy's "Lend a hand, send a book." She managed to cover some shipping costs with donations from area businesses, but she also paid for many boxes along with lunches and dinners for her volunteers. Putting others' needs before hers, Levy was contacted by a church in the Gulf Coast over the holidays and, again, she recruited volunteers to help her collect and ship several boxes of supplies to those in need.

For 37 years, Mohan has been with Rensselaer Volunteer Ambulance. At the age of 81, she serves as treasurer. She was a driver, dispatched calls from her home, attended drills at the airport regardless of the weather and took classes to become a certified emergency medical technician. She is deeply committed and donates countless hours. Many of her co-workers feel that without her help, the ambulance service could not function. Mohan is also a member of a senior group and a church volunteer.

Mooney, Joe

16, has volunteered his time to serve area disabled children. He has volunteered the CYO during basketball season since he was 8. He helps members of the challenger team by playing with them, teaching them the game and supporting them by being there. After basketball season is over, Mooney volunteers with the Burke Adams team for football. Mooney spent the summer of 2004 as a volunteer at Easter Seals summer camp for disabled children and has been there every summer since then.

Norton, Ned

Norton was managing a gym and training athletes including Jeff Blatnick (who went on to a gold medal at the 1984 summer Olympics) when six people with spinal cord injuries were referred to him. In 1988, Norton formed Warriors on Wheels Inc. Many of the warriors, often in their 20s, are referred to him from Albany Medical Center. They are people who have spinal cord injuries from being in car and motorcycle accidents, falls and diving incidents. He raises grants and recruits sponsors so he can offer the program to anyone who wants to participate.

O'Clair, Thomas

O'Clair has worked tirelessly for the past five years to bring attention to the lack sufficient mental health coverage in the state's health insurance system. O'Clair and his wife, Donna, lost their son Timothy to suicide in 2001. Insurance coverage for his mental illness had run out. O'Clair became an advocate for mental health parity and suicide prevention. His dedication and persistence resulted in Gov. George Pataki signing Timothy's Law, which requires health insurance companies to cover mental illnesses as comprehensively as they cover physical ailments. O'Clair also volunteers as a support group facilitator for suicide-attempt survivors and is a board member of the Capital District Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Sheehan, a breast cancer survivor, is an advocate for cancer care and women's health issues as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society. She founded a local lymphedema support group and is a founding member and current co-president of the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer.

Spellos, Amy

Spellos has been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer several years, working on buildings in Georgia and South Africa, where she traveled on vacation at her own expense. Her work with Habitat International led her to spearhead a local project, building a home for a special-needs family, which was completed last year. She works as a rehabilitation assistant at the Capital District Psychiatric Center and has volunteered at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany for more than 20 years, trains State Police and FBI cadets on how to deal with mentally ill people in crisis situations and works with women and children at a rescue mission. Despite major health issues, Spellos refuses to yield to chronic pain in her quest to help others.

Steuerwald, Brent

For 20 years, Steuerwald has shared his love for the game of football around the world. As chapter president of the Football Foundation, the Clifton Park resident has traveled to Germany, Japan, Scotland and England, helping other coaches develop their athletes through skills, wellness and safety. Steuerwald served as Section II football chairman for 12 years and created a national recognition program, founded the Exceptional Seniors All-Star Game and the New York State High School Football Championships and was named Coach of the Year 18 times. On the field, he coached the Shenendehowa Plainsmen to 286 wins, 77 losses, four ties and three state championships. Not only has he affected thousands of players with the creation of football programs; he has also mentored local players, enhancing and fostering their love of the game.

Strasser, Samuel Aronowitz

Strasser was honored for his 50 years of service to The Workshop Inc. From its start in a basement offering work force training for people with disabilities, The Workshop has grown into Northeast Career Services with branches in seven counties. It now places 400 disabled workers annually. Strasser, who was a lieutenant in the Air Force, received the NAACP's President's Award in 1992 to honor 25 years of his membership with the organization, including two as treasurer. Strasser helped Ethiopian Jews emigrate to Israel as fundraising chairman for the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. In 1994, Bridge Builders of the Capital District gave Strasser its Thurgood Marshall Award for lifelong community service and "his extraordinary contribution to building bridges between the Jewish and African-American communities in Albany."

Stuart, Rose

The woman affectionately known as Pastor Rose was raised in the poverty- town of Scott, Ark. Sleeping in homes with no heat and little or no food, she knows the effects of poverty on children. In 1999, she founded the Shepherd's Purse Association for Children, or SPAC. The nationally recognized organization defines poverty as the root cause for many problems, such as poor education, illness, disease, low self-esteem and illiteracy. Under the guidance of Pastor Rose, SPAC has extended a helping hand not only to the Capital Region, but also created a children's library and general store in Mississippi. She also recognizes numerous Capital Region women with her own Women of Courage Award.

Wolfe, a Girl Scout for more than 10 years, was instrumental in raising awareness about bus stop safety at Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park, where she is a senior. Her efforts resulted in bus stop signs being placed at various locations near the school and relocating unsafe bus stop areas. Wolfe was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in scouting, which she will receive at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June.