Teenager Kaitlyn Rose of Garden City was among 13 extraordinary community members the Town of Hempstead recognized during its eighth annual "Make A Difference" Awards ceremony.

Rose excels academically, participates in school activities, lectors at Mass and works part-time at the local library. She is also an active member of the St. Anne's parish youth group. Through the church affiliation, she volunteers at a group home for disabled adults. It is there that she helps the group home members with daily living and socialization activities. Additionally, Rose volunteers at Bethany House, a home for unwed mothers. The teen cares for infants and toddlers in order to give young mothers some much-needed time for schoolwork or other daily chores.

"Kaitlyn Rose is the picture of youthful exuberance," Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray noted. When the teen learned her 83-year-old neighbor, Mr. McLaughlin, a widower, who had recently lost his son, was going to be alone on Father's Day she suggested her family spend the day with him. Mr. McLaughlin accepted the invitation and, upon his arrival, the teen found him a comfortable chair and engaged him in conversation about his days as a pilot in World War II. She introduced Mr. McLaughlin to her family and they all shared memories from their youth.

"Kaitlyn Rose is a young woman who embraces life and welcomes the opportunity to make a positive difference," Murray continued. "She has a heart of gold and the local community has been enriched by the efforts of this truly remarkable young woman."