Rabbitt honors outstanding volunteers for 2006

GOSHEN - Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, R-Greenwood Lake, hosted her first Outstanding Volunteers of the Year awards ceremony at the Orange County legislative chambers in Goshen. Recipients were selected based on letters written on their behalf and sent to the assemblywoman in response to a media campaign earlier this year. “It is important we take time from our busy schedules to honor those who give so much to our community,” Rabbitt said. “These people are heroes because they dedicate their time and energy to helping people in need. I commend them and I bestow on them these awards on behalf of a grateful community.” Rabbitt said she plans to make the awards an annual event. She presented Kim Corkum of Warwick with the Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year award. Corkum is the driving force behind efforts to raise money for the revitalization of Stanley Deming Park and she is president of the Goodwill Hook and Ladder Ladies Auxiliary. Following the tragic events of 9/11, she opened her heart and offered hospitality, including food and emotional comfort, to people who came to Warwick to bury loved ones who lost their lives on that infamous day. She also organizes a successful annual children’s Christmas party, with all money raised donated to charity. “With an extraordinary amount of time going toward charity work, Kim is also a mother of two girls, an assistant Brownie leader, softball coach and a business owner in the town of Warwick,” said Rabbitt. “It is for all these reasons that she receives the 2006 Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year award.” Clayton Eurich of Warwick was presented the 2006 Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year award for his 40 years of service to Warwick’s Boy Scout Troop 45, as well as his distinguished U.S. naval service. Two young people, Kerilee Horan and Craig Anderson, were each presented with an award for 2006 Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year. Karilee, a student at John S. Burke Catholic High School, has been active with a number of charities, including a medical supply drive for Hurricane Katrina victims, raising money for breast cancer awareness, sending care packages to soldiers in Iraq and recently leading her school’s food drive, which yielded 8,000 pounds of food for the needy. Karilee has initiated social awareness in the school regarding brutal warfare and disease epidemics in Africa. Craig, a student at Warwick Valley High School, is vice president of the Warwick Leo Club, where he has been a food bank and community center volunteer, and apple festival guide. He is also working to sponsor a dance for local senior citizens, called a “Senior Prom.” Craig has also raised money for “Puppies Behind Bars,” in which inmates train dogs to carry out public services, such as assisting blind individuals and detecting narcotics or explosives, in addition to Toys for Tots and Cure for Autism Now.