Honoring Those Who Help Others
The American institute for Public Service, created in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, established the Jefferson Awards as a Nobel Prize for community and public service.
To view all medalists and finalists visit https://extras.timesunion.com/ads/jeffersonawards/past.html
George Elmer
George Elmer of Albany has addressed the needs of the hungry by running the Food Pantry at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Loudonville for the past five years. In 2020, nearly 52,000 meals were distributed to over 82 families because of the increased demand due to the pandemic. A retired insurance industry executive, Elmer tirelessly oversees this operation, including working with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York by placing orders and supervising deliveries, maintaining rigorous inventory controls, compiling individual family food orders, financial reporting and fundraising for the pantry. In 2019, Elmer spearheaded the arduous effort to relocate the food pantry to a larger and more convenient location for the needy families, back to its original home at the church. Elmer, who has led a team for Albany’s annual CROP Hunger Walk, will be the first to say that that this operation would not be viable without the financial support of the parish as well as the efforts of over 50 volunteers.
