Go to #volspirit18 photo album

Please save the date for our 39th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards on April 5, 2019.

THANK YOU

Thank you to a community that has allowed Volunteer New York! to grow, that has fought to support us, and that has reached it's hand out to work with us and create a stronger community together too many times to count over the last 68 years. Look at all we have done and continue to do with over 20,000 volunteers inspired every year!

On Friday, April 20 we celebrated volunteerism, but really we celebrated people who care. Happy National Volunteer Week and thank you to Regeneron and their Founder/President Len Schleifer for being there with us to support #volspirit18 in such a big way!

Thank you to all guests and supporters who joined us for this annual event, and especially to Geri Shapiro, who has now entered the Volunteer New York! Legacy Circle.

For more information about this year's six exceptional volunteers and the organizations they support, please scroll below and click on the corresponding links.

Volunteer nominations for next year's awards will open in the Fall. Please return back to this page for nomination information.

Thanks #lohudcares

Friday, April 20, 2018 | 8-10am

Westchester Marriott, Grand Ballroom

670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY

For more information please contact Elisabeth Vieselmeyer at 914-227-9307 or evieselmeyer@volunteernewyork.org

2018 Volunteer Spirit Award Winners

Education & Literacy Award

Stephanie Marquesano & the New Rochelle High School CODA Club

with the harris project

Presented by Keystone Property Group

Going Green Award

Suzie Ross

with Green Ossining

Presented by Con Edison

Quality of Life Award

James Rathschmidt

with United for the Troops

Presented by NewYork-Presbyterian

Safe Community Award

Paul Alcorn & Mel Berger

with The Emergency Shelter Partnership

Presented by Bunge Limited

Social Advocacy Award

Christine Silverstein

with United Women of Rockland

Presented by PCSB Bank

Youth Leadership Award

Shakil Henriques

with Wartburg

RNN & The French Family

2018 Legacy Award Winner

Geri Shapiro

Presented to Geri Shapiro by the Board of Volunteer New York!

[See past Legacy Award Winners]

Geri Shapiro, a senior advisor to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, is a long-time Westchester resident and intimately involved with the issues that impact our community. She is a staunch advocate for our county, working with all levels of government on topics including senior, aging, and disability issues, and nuclear power.

Geri's first career was as a stay-at-home mom who devoted much of her time volunteering at her daughter's school and caring for her aging parents. She was active in the PTA and served as PTA president. In 2000, she began volunteering for Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate campaign. Known by her family as the "expeditor," her skills and experiences were quickly recognized and, at age 59, she was asked to serve as Westchester County Regional Director for Senator Clinton. In 2009 she transitioned to Regional Director for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and currently serves as a Senior Advisor.

Geri is among those who are quietly working to make our county a better place, all while inspiring and empowering others. Over her career, she has mentored staff, volunteers, and members of the community, particularly women.

Volunteering, and a bit of tenacity, opened a new door in her life, and she believes in its power to do the same for others. That is why, on April 20, we hope you will join Volunteer New York! and celebrate Geri's exemplary commitment and leadership.

Watch the opening greeting from our 2018 Volunteer Spirit Awards event from Senator Gillibrand!

Board of Directors

Michael Grossman, Chair

Valerie Mason Cunningham, Vice Chair

Joseph L. Ali Vice Chair

Joanne Taylor, Treasurer

Ally Gallin, Secretary

Erica R. Aisner

Traci Bauer

Celia R. Brown

Olivia Ecker

Julia Emrick

Jay T. Glassman

Jill Gotlieb

Jonathan Hotz

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Alissa Kosowsky

Susan Kushner

Joel Mitchell

Cindy Ostrager

Robert Pisano, Jr.

Jared R. Rice, Esq.

David Singer

Steven Sonet, Esq.

Marrisa Weidner

Michael Welling

Abbe P. Stein, Esq., Ex Officio

Markham F. Rollins, III, Strategic Advisor

Marjorie Lang, Strategic Advisor

Event Sponsors

Regeneron, Presenting

The Affinity Group

Bunge Limited

Clarfeld Financial Advisors

Con Edison

Entergy

The Gallin Family

Keystone Property Group

NewYork-Presbyterian

PCSB Bank

PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

Reckson, a Division of SL Green Realty Corp.

RNN and the French Family

Mark & Jody Rollins

Westchester Magazine

White Plains Hospital & Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

Benefit Committee

Betty Cotton, Co-Chair

Nicholas Preddice, Co-Chair

Cheryl Brannan

Jerry Curran

Dr. Joan Fallon

Deborah Fay

Allison Fine

Phyllis Fuchs

Randee Glazer

Sunny Yeddis Goldberg

Dr. Marsha Gordon

Dawn Greenberg

Ellen Hendrickx

Iris Lachaud

Martha Lopez-Hanratty

Matthew G. McCrosson

William M. Mooney, Jr.

Markham F. Rollins, III

Joan Rothman

Linda Rosenweig

Harriet P. Schleifer

Lynn & Eric Sobel

Susie Stern

Bob Stien

Enid Weishaus

2018 Volunteer Spirit Award Categories

Education and Literacy Award
Honors volunteers dedicated to education and literacy through activities including, but not limited to, tutoring, adult literacy, library-based initiatives, early childhood education, and intergenerational programs.

Going Green Award
Honors volunteers who work to protect and beautify our environment and natural surroundings, advocate for the preservation of our planet and strive to instill these values for our community.

Quality of Life Award
Honors individuals who work to improve the quality of life in the following areas, including, but not limited to, working to reduce illness or with the disabled, homeless, elderly, and veteran populations, as well with those with substance abuse problems or mental disabilities.

Safe Community Award
Honors volunteers who work to provide, promote and improve safe behavior in areas including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness, disaster response and relief, First Aid, fire prevention, internet safety.

Social Advocacy Award
Honors volunteers who advocate for and support the righting of injustice in our community in areas such as, but not limited to, human rights, minority rights, domestic violence, housing, job preparedness, etc.

Youth Leadership Award (Individual or Group)
Honors one youth (age 21 years or under) or group of youth for her/his/their outstanding volunteer service for a cause or nonprofit.