TRC to present 36th Ability Awareness Awards

The achievements of people with disabilities and the efforts of those who support them will be showcased when The Resource Center holds its 36^th Ability Awareness Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 30.

The luncheon will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron from 11:30 to 1:00.

The awards recognize people with disabilities who have made significant accomplishments, as well as area residents and businesses that have improved the lives of people with disabilities. This year’s award recipients are:

• Advocate of the Year – Keith Martin
• Business/Employer of the Year – Target in West Ellicott
• Community Partnership Award – Culture Care Senior Living/Tanglewood Manor
• Bruce Walford Community Service Award – James Haick
• Health Provider of the Year – Kimberly Scoma, RN
• Carl Cappa Humanitarian of the Year – R. Erik Seastedt
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Suzette Smith
• Edwin Roth Mental Health Award – Christopher Mattison, RN
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Matthew Olson
• Personal Success Award – Patricia Peck
• Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year – Sharon Richards
• Special Event Volunteer of the Year – Heather Courtney

In addition, Stephanie Davis will receive an award for being honored by New York State Industries for the Disabled. NYSID is a non-profit organization that advances employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans by supporting The Resource Center and other rehabilitation agencies in obtaining government contracts. NYSID selected Davis for recognition through its annual Outstanding Performance Award Program.

Members of The Resource Center, people with disabilities, TRC staff and volunteers, and the general public are invited to attend the Ability Awareness Awards Celebration. The event is being sponsored by TRC, Kinetic, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and NYSID.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $30. Reservations are due by October 21. For more information, phone Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Event Manager, at 716-661-1477.

For those wishing to make a donation in honor of one of the award recipients, your contribution will be directed to The Resource Center’s TRC Excellence Awards Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.