OUR VOLUNTEER AWARDS

New York State United Teachers Community Service Award

Family Service League’s Volunteer Star Award 2023

This prestigious annual award honors one volunteer from our Family Service League (FSL) programs. FSL is proud to honor SeniorNet’s Evelyn Mattal. The application asks the following questions and submissions are made anonymously: Description of work performed, attitude, dedication, reliability; how the work impacts those we serve; how does the volunteer stand out from others, and; how long has the person been volunteering. Click here for Evelyn’s background with SeniorNet and why she was so deservedly selected by Family Service League for this award.

Founder’s Award

Life Achievement Award

The Life Achievement Award is bestowed to those who have made major contributions through volunteerism, promoting the SeniorNet mission in bringing computer and modern technology to seniors across our communities. The involvement and contribution of these volunteers have been invaluable to the progress and growth of the organization. Over a period of many years, they have excelled in and contributed to a host of areas in service to the community as SeniorNet at FSL volunteers. Click here to read more.

2020 Don Stone, Claire Kerman

Coordinator Emeritus Honor

Suffolk County Senior Volunteer of the Year Award

Phyllis Y. Haber Award

The Phyllis Y. Haber Award, bestowed annually to the person showing outstanding dedication and providing service to the senior community. This award was established in the year 2000. It is named after Phyllis Y. Haber, who was the Family Service League’s Vice President of Programs and Grants Development.

Eric Vero Technical Award

The Eric Vero Technical Award was established for outstanding contribution to the technical needs of SeniorNet and is presented to an exceptional volunteer whose work continues the tradition of the “Lab Rats” as established in 1999 by the founders of the SeniorNet Computer Lab.

Bill Baker Education Excellence Award

The Bill Baker Education Excellence Award is presented to the volunteer who best exemplifies the combination of superior teaching skills, technological knowledge, and compassionate student contact reminiscent of our departed Bill Baker and demonstrates the following characteristics:

• A devotion to SeniorNet’s mission.
• A track record of innovation resulting in improvements to the education program and SeniorNet in general.
• A willingness to assume tasks or responsibilities beyond education whenever needed.
• A commitment to excellence in all work performed.
• The ability to inspire others to produce quality work.

This award will be bestowed yearly to a SeniorNet volunteer who has demonstrated leadership and enthusiasm in continuing the legacy of Bill Baker.

• 2018 Diane Asser
• 2019 Sandie Baron
• 2020 Evelyn Mattal
• 2022 Richie Levitan
• 2023 Martha Hitchcock & Candy Tinelli
• 2025 Gail Teicher & Russ Nardi

Jim Burke Award for Excellence in Innovation

The Jim Burke Award for Excellent in Innovation Award is presented to the volunteer who best exemplifies the combination of technological knowledge and future thinking that Jim Burke personified and demonstrates the following characteristics:

• Possesses insight and creativity, fueling a desire to imagine new ways to improve the present. This person exhibits the ability to “think out of the box.”
• Is a team player fostering respect and commitment when working with others.
• Promotes and champions the FSL SeniorNet mission of education for the senior community.

This award will be bestowed yearly to a SeniorNet volunteer who has demonstrated leadership and enthusiasm in continuing the legacy of Jim Burke..

• 2022 Martin Roche
• 2023 Alan Pensak

Key Contributor Award

The recipient of the SeniorNet “Key Contributor Award” is a volunteer who

• Dedicated many hours of service above and beyond of the call of duty;
• Has willingly taken on burdensome tasks in times of emergencies;
• Can be counted on to do “one more thing” without complaint.

Congratulations to our well-deserved recipients:

• 2018 Sandie Baron, Nick Radesca & Nina Smith
• 2019 Regina Goldrich, Martha Hitchcock & Russ Nardi
• 2020 Alan Pensak, Martin Roche, Andy Salzman, Marcia Spiegel
• 2024 Neal Stern, Tracy McEnaney, Polly Hammer

Curriculum Contest (SeniorNet National)

SeniorNet National conducts an annual curriculum contest to encourage submissions from Center teachers to share course curriculum with other Centers throughout the United States.

• 2014 Diane Asser, Bill Baker, Bob Kohler, Rich Levitan, and Moss Rawn
• 2016 Diane Asser, Evelyn Mattal & Sandie Baron (Honorable Mention)

President’s Award (SeniorNet National)

SeniorNet President Award is given for distinguished contribution to the National Organization.

• 2016 Bill Baker, Sandie Baron & Nick Radesca