Jeanne Williams Bennett Selected as the
2017 NYSUT RC 12 Community Service Award Winner
By Carolyn Darkangelo, Mayfield retiree
Established in 1993, the NYSUT Community Service Awards were created to recognize individuals who have given outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Since its inception, hundreds of NYSUT members have been nominated by their locals or retiree councils to receive this award. Jeanne Williams Bennett is the NYSUT Community Service Award winner for 2017.
Jeanne is the co-president of RC 12 and has served as an RC 12 officer since 2008. She has attended the NYSUT Representative Assembly and the AFT convention, and she is an active member of the great RC 12 social committee and the committee of 100 lobbying group.
In her community, Jeanne is a vital volunteer in many organizations. Since 2007, she has worked with Shepard’s Table, a group that prepares and serves meals to the poor in Herkimer County. Each year, she participates in the Gram Lorraine Warm Winter Clothing Program, which brings warm clothing and toys to children in need. For over 20 years, she has organized, publicized, and performed in a concert that raises money for last minute needs at Christmas time. Jeanne was presented with the Six Angels of Christmas Award for her dedication and hard work in the community.
Active in the Ilion First Baptist Church for a lifetime, Jeanne has served on the board of trustees, on committees for education, music, endowment, and finance. Since retirement in 2007, she has played the organ and volunteered at monthly dinners. Recently, she also was the chair of the pastoral search committee; the outstanding new minister began working several months ago. Jeanne also works on the Mohawk Oneida committee on ministry.
She shares her love of music by playing the organ for ecumenical services, for weekly services at the Masonic Care Community in Utica, concerts on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and those honoring our World War II veterans at Christmas. She also performs regularly at local nursing homes and at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Jeanne’s lifelong service to her community is amazing. RC 12 is so lucky to have such a dedicated individual participate in all levels of our organization. She is highly organized and meticulous about details. She and Sandra Bliss have been the ultimate leadership team for our organization.
Congratulations, Jeanne. You certainly deserve this award!
