For Immediate Release:
May 30, 2012

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL Announces 2012 Jefferson Award Winners

Awards recognize individuals for commitment to
community and public service

The 2012 ESL Jefferson Award Winners (left-to-right): Derek Dalton, general manager, News 10NBC; Lance Holm, Marilyn Nolte, Ralph and Mollie Richards, Judith Raymond, Todd Allen, David L. Fiedler, Chief Executive Officer, ESL Federal Credit Union and; Rich Funke, news anchor, News 10NBC

They are your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family – the ordinary people who do extraordinary things everyday that make a difference in the lives of others. They are the unsung heroes who shine brightly in our community.

This is the ninth year ESL and News 10NBC have teamed to recognize and honor the area's most committed volunteers with the prestigious ESL Jefferson Award for Public Service. These awards are intended to celebrate unsung heroes and their commitment to community and public service.

The winners of the 2012 ESL Jefferson Awards are: Todd Allen, Lance Holm, Marilyn Nolte, Judith Raymond, Mollie and Ralph Richards. We would like to share with you what each of their nominators wrote about them respectively:

Todd Allen – Nominated by Cindy Harper

Cindy nominated Todd for this award for his "impact on the neighborhood surrounding Cameron Community Ministries." An active volunteer for years, Tom led the effort to build a much needed playground. The Lyell-Otis neighborhood and Cameron Community Ministries' youth programs were without a safe place for children to play. The school playground is kept locked when school is not in session. Although there is access to the playground for the organization's after school and summer youth programs, children must walk several blocks and be accompanied by an adult in order play outside. Cameron Community Ministries also runs a daily free hot meal program and attracts many families with children when school is not in session. Last year it served more than 60,000 meals to people in need.

A house, located next to Cameron Community Ministries, was subject to numerous issues regarding drug activity during many years. It was abandoned and rapidly deteriorating. Todd became chairperson of the organization's playground campaign and worked with city officials to demolish the house. Todd gave his time to all aspects of the project, including the purchase of equipment, zoning and variance requirements and fencing. He raised funds, promoted the need for the playground and spent a great deal of time working out the details required to build the playground. The construction of the playground was completed this past April.

Todd accomplished all this while employed as a regional vice president at Oracle, a position that requires a great deal of travel. His support of the Cameron community makes him an ideal candidate for the ESL Jefferson Award as this playground will truly change the neighborhood.

Lance Holm – Nominated by Noelle Boone

Bridges for Brain Injury provides services for adults with traumatic brain injuries. Its signature outreach program is a wildlife education program called Wildlife Defenders. Lance is one of the organization's most outstanding volunteers.

Approximately nine years ago, when his daughter was three months old, Lance received a traumatic brain injury. Since the time of this life-altering experience, Lance relearned how to talk, walk and read. He also was the sole caretaker of his daughter.

About three years ago, when Bridges first opened its doors, Lance was one of the first members to join Bridges' Wildlife Defenders Program. Since then, Lance graduated from the program, returned as a volunteer and is now a role model for the members of Wildlife Defenders. This man truly has risen from tragedy to triumph. Through Lance, the members see that it is possible to become a functioning part of society again, regaining confidence, independence, and pride.

Lance goes out into the community, along with the members, to perform wildlife education programs for schools, assisted living and hospice care facilities. To the public, this program looks just like a wildlife education program... (Yet) ...this is a program for our members, which aides in building (the) self-confidence and communication skills they lost due to their traumatic brain injuries.

Lance volunteers four-to-five days-a-week, averaging about seven hours each day. He works with the members on script readings for the Wildlife Defenders programs, animal husbandry, training and enrichment of the animals. He encourages the members to take part and always to keep moving forward whether it be script reading practice, public speaking or just, in general, improving and believing in oneself. Lance has added a new dimension to our program that a person who has not suffered a brain injury could never do. He understands the struggle ...the need to find normalcy... and (the importance) to dispel the (public) misconception (regarding) individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Lance, with his charismatic personality, goes on to local radio and TV shows with members to not only promote upcoming Wildlife Defender events but to educate the community about traumatic brain injuries and that you can rise from tragedy to triumph.

Marilyn Nolte – Nominated by Nancy Uffindell

Marilyn Nolte, president of the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery, leads a membership of approximately 600 members. Under her leadership, this not-for-profit-volunteer organization, which was founded in 1980, obtained inclusion of Mount Hope Cemetery on the lists of the National Parks Service, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and the Erie Canal Trail Way. Through her efforts, Mount Hope Cemetery is also considered a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat and is listed as a site on the Rochester portion of the Genesee River Way Trail.

Marilyn worked with the city and (Congresswoman) Louise Slaughter to obtain a national grant from Save America's Treasures used to restore the north end of the cemetery, in 2011. Marilyn can be found at the cemetery most days where she is still actively involved in restoration of buildings and monuments.

In 2007, Marilyn was the impetus for saving the damaged Rau Mausoleum from demolition, working with the city and contractors to reinforce the damaged structure, using funding from the Friends. Today, that mausoleum remains for all to enjoy, thanks to Marilyn's efforts. When a wall collapsed in Section G this past spring, Marilyn worked with the city and contractors, again using funds of the Friends to have the wall rebuilt. Several years ago, Marilyn led the group in the creation of the end of season Lumineria tour now known as the Torchlight Tour, an annual fundraiser in late October with tours after dark. Marilyn personally handles membership, and is working with the tour committee on a new tour for 2012 at the south end of the cemetery.

Marilyn, (in conjunction with) a local author and FOMH trustee Richard Reisem, will soon publish a new book about the cemetery. Marilyn is also active with the landscape and gardening committees. Marilyn gives freely of her time and talents, allowing all to enjoy the beauty and history of the treasure that is Mount Hope Cemetery.

Judith Raymond – Nominated by Kathleen Holland

Judy Raymond is an outstanding candidate for the ESL Jefferson Award. She has been an active member of a non-profit organization called Grease Paint Alley Clowns for more than 25 years. For many of those years, Judy, also known as "Bumpkin", has held the office of president and business manager.

Within this group, Judy demonstrates the attributes of a teacher, mentor, (supporter) and leader. She has taught a class for new clowns, from make-up application and costuming, to balloon creations and pocket magic. She has encouraged new members to carry on the art of clowning and community service. Just last year she participated in over 40 events in our community. These events are held county wide.

You will see "Bumpkin" at the Christmas party for survivors of childhood cancer. From C.U.R.E., to hospice, to walks for Alzheimer's, Judy is there to promote fun and smiles with balloons and pocket magic. In addition to community events, Judy has been a hospital clown for many of those 25 years. On the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, you will see "Bumpkin" on the pediatric ward at Strong Hospital. She brings smiles to both the children and parents at a stressful time in their lives.

Judy is the person to call when you need a clown to fill in at the last minute; she is not only generous with her time, but also with her love. As a Friend of Strong volunteer, Judy spends time in the cuddles program. She goes weekly and holds and cuddles newborn babies so they can feel love and security when their moms and dads aren't available for one reason or another. Although clowning is FUN, it takes a dedicated person to organize the many activities Grease Paint Alley provides for our community. We are proud to have her as a member and believe she is a GOOD candidate for the prestigious ESL Jefferson Award.

Mollie and Ralph Richards – Nominated by Sadie Hill

Mollie and Ralph Richards, members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, spend much of their time volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association in Rochester. Together, in 2004, they founded the first known Alzheimer's faith based partnership in the United States. Since Alzheimer's is twice as prevalent in African Americans as in the whites and Latino races, much focus has been dedicated to reaching the African American population.

The church has proved itself to be a "venue of trust" to the African American families. Through the Black Ministerial Alliances, and other associations, they have gained entrance and provided services to approximately 30 churches in Rochester and in the outlying (city) of Geneva, New York. They also founded the Alzheimer's Advisory Council, a nine-member volunteer council; created the Alzheimer's / Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Annual Health Symposium; established the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Informational and referral resource center and; presented caregiver education seminars. Mollie and Ralph also support health fairs, which provide dementia specific / culturally sensitive information and they provide one-to-one consultation to caregivers.

Mollie is presently the director of rehabilitation programs at Jewish Senior Life and Memory Care Service Line Manager. Mollie has earned degrees in occupational therapy and adult education. She is an active member of the Alzheimer's Board of Directors and alternate delegate. Mollie was appointed by the governor of New York State to the Coordinating Council for Services Related to Alzheimer's disease and other Dementias.

Ralph retired from his sales management position at Eastman Kodak in 2004, with degrees in radiology business management and medical imaging (MRI). As a past board member with the Alzheimer's Association, Ralph continues to volunteer and speaking out to rally awareness and concern in the African American community.

A formidable team, Mollie and Ralph have made a profound contribution to the African-American community by informing them about Alzheimer's and supporting the caregivers.

Among these six recipients, Todd Allen was chosen as the Greater Rochester regional honoree. Todd will be eligible to participate and receive a national award at an Awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in June

"There are many unrecognized heroes in this community who unselfishly dedicate their time to helping others everyday," said David L. Fiedler, Chief Executive Officer, ESL Federal Credit Union. "We're looking to the Rochester community to nominate these dedicated individuals and to give them the recognition they deserve. We hope these awards will serve as an inspiration to others."

In 1972, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard, founder and Chairman of the National Development Council (NDC) initiated the American Institute for Public Service as a way to establish a "Nobel Prize" for public and community service – The Jefferson Awards.

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $4 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has about 300,000 members world-wide. The company was recently ranked 16th as one of 2011 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in America by the Great Place to Work^® Institute and presented by Entrepreneur^® - the second consecutive year the company was named to the list. Access to the credit union includes 19 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, a Contact Center, and Internet, online and mobile banking channels. The company is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found on the Internet at esl.org.