The Town of Hempstead has many citizens who dedicate their lives to helping others. Whether it's donating food to a family in need or accompanying a neighbor to the doctor, these residents are willing to volunteer their time. This year, the town is recognizing 12 of these citizens at its 6th Annual Make a Difference Awards.

"We received many nominations and it's heartwarming to know that there are so many extraordinary individuals who unselfishly give of themselves for the betterment of our community," said Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino. "Those who were chosen truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism."

Among those who received the town's Make a Difference Award were Marge Lee and Richard Petersen of Franklin Square and Geraldine Brathwaite of Elmont.

Marge Lee has volunteered with the Long Island Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for over 11 years. She visits many local schools teaching children the evils of drunk driving and she accompanies grieving families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers to court. Marge also works with legislators to enact stronger drunk driving laws and has been instrumental in the development of the School Against Drunk Driving Program, which is now used by chapters throughout the nation. Marge has served in carious capacities and she is committed to helping victims and fighting the crime of drunk and impaired driving.

Her passion for the cause was inspired over 12 years ago when she survived a head on collision with a drunk driver. Regrettably the accident took the life of her 25-year-old son Kenny and injured two of her younger children. The collision also left Marge permanently disabled.

In 1980, when MADD was founded, drunk drivers killed over 45,000 Americans each year. Last year, there were about 16,000 deaths. That's a difference of 29,000 innocent lives and 29,000 less grief stricken families.

What drives Marge to work so tirelessly in the fight against drunk driving is her desire to prevent other families from experiencing the devastation caused by drunk driving.

Richard Petersen is involved in many organizations including Gateway Youth Outreach, which dedicates itself to helping young people. He has donated countless honors to the organization, establishing a benefit golf outing to assist with the agency's financial needs. Dick rounded up friends, relatives, business associates and anyone else he could find for the golf outing that raised over $15,000. Now in its seventh year, with Dick in charge, the golf outing has successfully raised money to support Gateway Youth Outreach.

In addition, Dick is very handy and donated hours of personal expertise for the benefit of the young people. When Dick was told that Gateway Youth Outreach needed to build additional office space, he was ready to help, doing the whole job. He also helped build a ramp so a retired nun in a wheelchair could safely get home and replaced a window in the garage of an elderly blind man in his neighborhood. In addition, Dick has breakfast with a lonely older citizen who has no family every week. The two have become good friends and they share stories.

Dick is also an active member of Gift of Life, an organization that brings children to the New York area for open-heart surgery in local hospitals. Gift of Life has treated over 2,500 children. In addition, he has organized many medical missions to Mexico, accompanying local doctors and medical personnel to screen hundreds of candidates for life-saving services. Currently, he is hosting a 3-year-old child from Mexico who is waiting for surgery at St. Francis Hospital.

Geraldine Brathwaite believes in volunteerism, civic responsibility and an abiding love for her community. She has been a member of the Jamaica Square Improvement League of Elmont for 36 years, actively addressing community issues including the revitalization of Hendrickson Avenue Park. As a community activist, volunteer and youth advocate, she was one of the pioneers in ensuring that the youth of her community would have a safe environment of play and a viable center that would enable them to participate in ongoing local activities.

As a member of Emanuel Baptist Church, she has served her church family in various capacities for many years. She also has a long history of taking people under her wing, from individuals to whole families.

Her personal ministry involved feeding and clothing people in need. The Nassau County Department of Social Services referred an elderly, disabled and homeless woman to Mrs. Brathwaite, who cared for the woman for four years.

Gerri has a knack for bringing people together, encouraging their talents while listening and marching their needs with the talents and skills of people in her wide network of friends.