Pictured at top, from left, The Sunny Side Up Band, Lyman Buck, representatives of Servpro and Fluvanna Free Library. Pictured at bottom are Laurie Fenton, William Bowler, Don Caruso, Andy Dyckes, Shelly Pratt and Jesterfer Johnson P-J photo by Carly Gould

CELORON — Many different individuals and groups were honored in The Resource Center’s 31st annual Ability Awareness Awards on Thursday.

“We gather here today to celebrate the outstanding achievements by outstanding people, doing outstanding things to make our community better,” said Patricia Perlee, the board director. “Congratulations, and thank you. You have made a difference in all of our lives.”

The event was held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, where 11 different awards were presented. The awards selection committee consisted of Kathy Field, Victoria Trass Bardo, John D’Agostino, Mary Keeney and Shirley Sanfilippo.

“For the first 30 years, this celebration was called the Disability Awareness Awards,” said Denise Jones, executive director of The Resource Center. “When we created this event in 1989, we wanted to help the community understand that people with disabilities can accomplish great things. Thirty years later, the name seems outdated, because we witness every day the successes realized by the people we support.”

The winner for the Community Partnership Award was the Fluvanna Free Library. The award goes to individuals, service groups or businesses that provide “unique opportunities and experiences” to people with disabilities. The library provides “a welcoming and supportive environment” for the self-advocates from The Resource Center.

William Bowler was the recipient of the Health Provider of the Year Award, which recognizes a person who “enhances the lives of people with disabilities and provides quality health services.” Bowler works as a physical therapist at The Resource Center’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center since 2004. He works to ensure that all of his patients receive the maximum benefits from therapy.

The Advocate of the Year was Don Caruso. He is part of The Resource Center’s Maintenance Department and an advocate for one particular resident. He, like other advocates, helps residents live their life to their fullest and speaking on their behalf when needed. Caruso helps his co-workers develop ways of help the people in their care.

The Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year Award, which was named in memory of Elmer Muench, a longtime volunteer at The Resource Center, was awarded to the band Sunny Side Up. The band has been performing at The Resource Center’s Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program for many years.

“Going to Day Hab each month is our favorite gig,” said Brenda Carr, the founder of the band.

Jesterfer Johnson was awarded the Personal Success Award, which is presented to those who have managed to improve themselves the most during the year. Johnson was left homeless last December until The Resource Center stepped in to help.

He now has a part-time job and has his own apartment, living with his beloved dog.

The Bruce Walford Community Support Award, named after the former manager of Dunkirk’s Work Center for The Resource Center, was presented to Shelly Pratt. Pratt organizes The Resource Center’s participation in the annual Chautauqua Lake Dragon Boat Races.

Dione Ransom received the Outstanding Achievement Award, which is given to someone with a disability who has made significant progress in their personal skills. Ransom was non-verbal when he came to The Resource Center in 2015, but is now able to vocalize and uses words more often.

Andy Dyckes received the New York State Industries for the Disabled Outstanding Performer Award. Dykes was also named the NYSID Outstanding Performer in 2009. He is employed as a cleaner with the Fredonia Central School District and is “well liked” by his co-workers and teachers of the school due to his hard work.

Laurie Fenton won the Edwin Roth Mental Health Award, which was named in memory of Edwin Roth for his “dedication to supporting people in Western New York living with mental health challenges.” Fenton has been with The Resource Center since 1986, first in the residences, then in Quality Assurance and now in Mental Health as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

The Business/Employer Award was given to Servpo, a company that, through the New York State Education Department’s “Work Try-Out” program, has brought on four people from The Resource Center’s Supported Employment Program and has hired three of them.

Finally, the Lifetime Achievement award went to Lyman Buck III, who has been supporting the organization since 1984 through his position as senior vice president at KeyBank. He has assisted in securing more than $60,000 for The Resource Center and has served on The Resource Center’s Finance Committee for over 20 years.