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Drake Named 2016 Jamestown Interclub Council Woman Of The Year

Pictured is Carol Drake, holding flowers in center, who was named the 2016 Woman of the Year at the Jamestown Interclub Council’s 61st Annual Woman of the Year banquet at the Marvin House on Monday. Also pictured are previous recipients of the honor. P-J photo by A.J. Rao

A quick peek at Carol Drake’s life is enough to make any aspiring volunteer jealous.

Past president of the Persell and Jamestown High School PTA; past president of the JHS Orchestra Music Boosters; communicant of Saints Peter and Paul Church; host for the Rotary Club Exchange Program and the Babe Ruth World Series — indeed, the list goes on and on for Drake.

Fortunately, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

On Monday, the Jamestown Interclub Council held its 61st Annual Woman of the Year banquet at the Marvin House — and Drake was named its 2016 winner.

The Jamestown resident took to the podium surprised, addressing a crowded reception of family, friends and even previous honorees, who each had been recognized in years past for their exemplary service to the community.

“Every single thought I had tonight has just flown out of my head,” said Drake, with a laugh. “I look around this room and I see wonderful people, most of whom I’ve known for quite a few years and some I’ve just met over the past few. I realize how lucky I am to get to know people that aren’t usually in my circle of friends and how wonderful everybody is … and how much we enjoy our community to the point that we try to help people as much as we can. I think whatever we give, we get back tenfold.”

Drake was handed proclamations from Lisa Goodell and Jacqueline Phelps, representing Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, and U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, respectively.

Goodell acknowledged the importance of the banquet for “taking a minute to stop” and appreciate the women of the community, and how Drake represents the very definition of civic involvement.

“I don’t think there’s an organization in town that you haven’t volunteered for or given to,” she told Drake. “You have not only made our community a little brighter, you’ve also made it a little friendlier. You have shown us what it is to give and to welcome people.”

Other volunteer activities of Drake include: the Allen Park Women’s Club; Interclub Council; Marvin Community House; The Creche, Inc.; Southern Tier Legal Secretaries Association; and the Kiwanis Club. Drake was also a longtime office manager of the Robert H. Jackson Center, where she coordinated many of the programs sponsored by the center as well as oversaw the staff and scheduling of all volunteer activities.

Drake has been married to her husband, Rodney, for 45 years. She received an AAS degree in medical technology from SUNY at Alfred in 1970.

“I feel absolutely overwhelmed,” Drake said of the recognition. “To be included in the list of women (who were previously recognized) is a remarkable thing … this is great.”

The Jamestown Interclub Council began in 1956 with the objective to sponsor various activities geared toward the advancement of community interest and activities that can be accomplished through a united action.

Currently, the council consists of 15 women’s groups. Along with the Marvin Community House, other member organizations are: the Allen Park Women’s Club, American Association of University Women, Bemus Point Study Club, Chautauqua Shores Chorus, Creche, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Norden Women’s Club, Preceptor Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Southern Tier Legal Secretaries, Women’s Club of Lakewood, YWCA of Jamestown and Zonta Club of Jamestown.

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