Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the town board recognized 13 extraordinary community members for contributions to their local neighborhoods at the Eighth Annual "Make A Difference" Awards ceremony. In addition, the town board posthumously honored a woman who dedicated herself to volunteer work, all the while battling cancer. Her husband was on hand to accept the award on his wife's behalf.

"Tonight we pay homage to men and women who have touched the lives of so many in our township. These individuals have never looked for recognition or rewards for their hard work and dedication," said Murray. "They simply enjoy the satisfaction that comes from helping others. Tonight we honor them and offer our thanks for all that they have done to improve the lives of others and to make our communities better places to live."

From founding an organization to pay the medical costs of uninsured children to sending shoes to children in Haiti, to volunteering with unwed mothers and senior citizens, the honorees have all dedicated themselves to enriching the lives of others. Hundreds of nominations were received for the prestigious award. Those selected, Murray noted, have quietly carried out acts of selfless generosity for many years.

Among the honorees recognized at the November 16 ceremony was Elmont resident Cindy Jean, who is a junior at Hofstra University.

Cindy is a generous, loving and hardworking person who balances her full time status as a junior at Hofstra University with an involvement in numerous activities.

Cindy volunteers with the West Hempstead Library's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Income tax preparation can be a daunting challenge to many elderly residents. Cindy takes the anxiety out of tax preparation, assisting the disabled, disadvantaged and the elderly in filling out their federal and state tax returns. She accomplishes this task while balancing a work schedule and helping middle school children with their reading and math homework at the Uniondale Public Library.

In addition, Cindy is very involved in her church where she teaches Sunday school for toddlers. Volunteering at Franklin Hospital Medical Center she has assisted geriatric patients and helped answer busy phone lines.

Cindy has distinguished herself as an excellent student and a community volunteer. We know that her caring and compassion will be felt in the community for many years to come. It is with great pride that the Town of Hempstead presents Cindy Jean of Elmont with the 2004 Town of Hempstead Make a Difference Award.

"Our Make A Difference Award recipients have made a profoundly positive impact on the lives of others," concluded Murray. While we can never hope to adequately repay these men and women for their efforts on behalf of those in need, we are honored to have this opportunity to thank them."