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Heritage Christian Services is blessed to have more than 500 dedicated volunteers, but each spring we honor one individual and one group that have gone above and beyond in their service to people with special needs at our Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. This year’s recipients of the Heritage Hero Awards were the Friendship Group from Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Greece and Katie DeMar.
Members of the Friendship Group (pictured at left, left to right, Jan van der Jagt, Ann Lathom, Mariann Cornell and Lauren Doyle) were nominated for the group award by the men and women who live in the home on Ridgeway Avenue in Greece for 20 years of offering spiritual support. The group meets with the individuals from the home every other week for Bible studies and music. They have truly developed a life-long friendship, offering support for each other in good times and bad. Residence Manager Cathy Holzermer says, “They are like a part of the family and we are very thankful for them.”
The individual Heritage Hero Award was presented to 12-year-old Katie Demar (pictured on right with Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Nash). Katie was nominated for giving her time to a number of different programs over the past four years, including assisting with coaching HCS athletes in poly hockey, volleyball, basketball and track and field. She also volunteers at A Second Thought Resale Shop and at Heritage Christian Stables horse shows.
Heritage Christian Services so grateful to all of our devoted volunteers. You truly make our days brighter!
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Eastman Kodak employees have had a long history of volunteerism in the community. And still today, they give so much of their time and talents to agencies like Heritage Christian Services through the United Way Day of Caring and Make a Difference Day.
For the 2006 Rochester Day of Caring on May 3, more than 50 Kodak employees pulled up their sleeves to volunteer at several agency homes and day programs washing windows, painting, spreading mulch and even doing small repairs.
Jack Kowiak’s (pictured on right with Doug Timby and Jeannette Sifain) first experience with HCS was five years ago at the Winton Road apartments in Brighton. He remembers that his team was warmly welcomed by the friendly staff and the individuals that lived there. Since then, Jack and his team have returned every year for the Day of Caring, as well as in September for Make a Difference Day.
But for one Kodak employee, it’s a two-fold benefit he gets out of helping out. “My sister, Nancy, lives in the agency home on Shanlee Drive in Webster,” said Steve Cataldi. “So we’re helping out in the community and at the same time I’m able to give back to a great organization that’s assisted my family.”
Steve says these volunteer days are a great way for him to share the good work of Heritage Christian with his co-workers. He said: “I’m always impressed by how much my team enjoys helping Heritage and am pleased to see them take a real interest in the organization, one that will hopefully last long after the Day of Caring is done.”
Thank you Steve, Jack and all Eastman Kodak employees who give back so much to HCS and the community!
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