For Immediate Release:
May 19, 2008

For more information, contact:
Andy Ragone, ESL
585.336.1532
-or-
Jane Argenta, Dixon Schwabl
585.899.3266
jane@dixonschwabl.com

ESL ANNOUNCES 2008 JEFFERSON AWARD WINNERS
— Awards recognize individuals for commitment to community and public service —

Rochester, New York - A high school junior who holds an 89 grade point average, plays football and is dedicated to community service - volunteering at senior communities, Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army and St. Peter's Soup Kitchen. A 10-year Seneca Park Zoo volunteer, who helps in literally every department from events and education to clean up and serving as Zoo photographer. A man who spearheads Operation Paperback locally and has shipped 154 boxes containing, 3,137 used paperback and magazines to Iraq and Afghanistan since February 2008. A woman who has been involved with the American Cancer Society though many programs as both a patient and a volunteer. She has made a monumental impact by volunteering as a Reach to Recovery volunteer, Relay for Life committee member, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pacesetter and a Legislative Ambassador. And a woman who grew up in the Baden Street Community and continues to give back to her neighborhood.

The recipients of the 2008 ESL Jefferson Awards for Public and Community Service are your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family - the ordinary people who do extraordinary things every day that make a difference in the lives of others: Rochester's most committed volunteers.

"We are overwhelmed by the scope and quality of nominations we receive year after year for the ESL Jefferson Awards," said Dave Fiedler, ESL CEO. "This is proof positive that Rochester has a great number of individuals - young and old - who give selflessly to helping others. We are honored to have this opportunity to recognize these individuals and share their stories with the community and the country."

This is the fifth year ESL Federal Credit Union and News 10 NBC have teamed to recognize and honor the area's most committed volunteers with the prestigious ESL Jefferson Awards for public and community service.

Anthony Venette, Fairport
As a junior at McQuaid Jesuit High School, Anthony has recently returned from a week long trip to the Dominican Republic where he built 10 latrines in five days for people who do not have running water. Anthony has also volunteered at Camp Stella Maris, Fairport Baptist Home, Grande Vie Senior Living Community, and Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, St. Peter's Soup Kitchen, and in 2007 spent six days at the Romero Center in Camden, New Jersey working with the poor. While being dedicated to community service Anthony maintains a solid grade point average and is active in sports.

Jim Grapenstetter, Irondequoit
Jim has been a volunteer at Seneca Park Zoo for more than 10 years. Everyone who works at the Zoo knows Jim because he helps out in every department. From event setup and cleanup, to directing traffic and keeping a thorough photo gallery of animals, Jim is tireless and essential to the life of the Zoo. Jim has photo albums of new construction that even the County has used on occasion. Jim does it all from fixing broken chairs to hanging pictures. Most importantly, Jim meets every chore with enthusiasm.

Dennis Gellasch, Webster
Two years ago, Dennis learned about "Operation Paperback," a national program providing reading material to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Knowing the comfort that can come from quiet times with a book Dennis began collecting paperbacks, backing them up and shipping them out. As of February 2008, Dennis has shipped out 154 boxes containing 3,137 used paperbacks and 122 magazines to our troops. Dennis has even shipped children’s books so that soldiers can read books to their children over the telephone.

Joni Singer, Penfield
Joni has been involved with the American Cancer Society through many programs; first as a patient, then as a volunteer. She has been a Reach to Recovery volunteer, a Relay for Life committee member, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pacesetter and has been a leader as a Legislative Ambassador. Joni is passionate in her work to educate women about breast health and the need for continual screening. She is changing our community through her positive outlook, continual education and outreach to others.

Jacqueline Brinkley, Chili
Growing up in the Baden Street Community, Jackie has continually given back to her neighborhood. From outreach to young men in the community, prostitutes, and the hungry Jackie knows how to get things done. She has most recently organized literacy programs including "Read across America" at the Lincoln Branch Library. For the past two years Jackie has organized the "Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast" for preschoolers. Community leaders have read to the children and kids have the opportunity to t have their picture taken with the "Cat in the Hat," receive free tee shirts, stove top hats, and Dr. Seuss books. Jackie would like to begin an Outreach Library Bookmobile.

About the Jefferson Awards
The American Institute for Public Service was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard to establish a national recognition for, and encouragement of, outstanding community and public service, the Jefferson Awards.

The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels, local and national. On the local level, Jefferson Award recipients are volunteers who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward.

Across America, 145 media partners sponsor the Jefferson Awards. Through local Jefferson Award programs, 14,000 nominations were received last year.

About ESL
Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is one of the nation's largest and most successful credit unions. A full-service institution with $3.4 billion in assets, ESL serves 290,000 total members worldwide, with 258,000 in the Greater Rochester area, through 19 branches, an extensive ATM network, a telephone call center, and the Internet. The company is headquartered at 100 Kings Highway South in Rochester and can be found on the Internet at esl.org.

 

The 2008 ESL Jefferson Awards Winners

Arnold Klinsky, VP/GM of WHEC-TV, Anthony Venette, David L. Fiedler, ESL CEO

Arnold Klinsky, VP/GM of WHEC-TV, Jim Grappenstetter, David L. Fiedler, ESL CEO

Arnold Klinsky, VP/GM of WHEC-TV, Dennis Gellasch, David L. Fiedler, ESL CEO

Arnold Klinsky, VP/GM of WHEC-TV, Ann Savastano for Joni Singer, David L. Fiedler, ESL CEO

Arnold Klinsky, VP/GM of WHEC-TV, Jacqueline Brinkley, David L. Fiedler, ESL CEO