Make A Difference Award

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, left, and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, right, present an official Town of Hempstead Make A Difference Medal to Allison Rose of Garden City on the occasion of the 2007 Make A Difference Award ceremony, which was held at the Nathan I., H. Bennett Pavilion at Town hall in Hempstead. Allison is a high school junior who began her volunteer work at an early age. As a child, she would help shovel the driveways of elderly neighbors. When she was a middle school student, Allison realized an elderly neighbor was having difficulty getting to the store and volunteered to run his errands for him. Now as a student at Garden City High School, Allison is a member of TWIGS at the school, whereby she participates in fundraising activities for the pediatric wing at Winthrop University Hospital and visits the sick children. In addition, Allison is a member of Students Helping Students, an organization that encourages positive interactions among children in the community. This spectacular young lady also volunteers with deaf children who have cochlear implants, teaching them to use the telephone. She uses her knowledge of sign language to help children with communications difficulties enjoy the Long Island Children's Museum, where she volunteers.