The Town of Hempstead recently presented medal to 12 town residents who have made a difference in their communities at the sixth annual Make a Difference Awards ceremony at the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall. Among the honorees were Geraldine Brathwaite of Elmont, who has volunteered for over 36 years at the Jamaica Square Improvement League helping to revitalize Hendrickson Park; Richard Peterson of Franklin Square, who has donated countless hours to Gateway Youth Outreach, helping to raise funds and construct new building space and is also involved in Gift of Life, an organization that brings children to the New York area for open heart surgery; and Marge Lee of Franklin Square, who has volunteered as an advocate of drunk driving for over 11 years. She visits many local schools, teaching children the dangers of drunk driving and she accompanies grieving families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers to court.