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Charles DeAngelo, partner in the local law firm Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, recently received dual honors recognizing his dedication to community service, impacting numerous area organizations.
These honors highlight, in particular, DeAngelo's lifelong passion for the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown and were presented in a recent ceremony by the club's Board of Directors and the Carnahan Jackson Foundation.
DeAngelo received the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown 2022 Exceptional Service to Youth Award, presented by Rhonda Johnson, board president.
"Chuck's commitment as a board member and advocate for the club's mission is unmatched," Johnson said. "Even throughout this extremely challenging year of battling cancer, Chuck's boundless energy and positive spirit motivates us all."
The award's inscription reads "Our capacity to serve the youth who need us most has grown through your tireless efforts and dedication to our mission."
Johnson added that "Chuck was the unanimous choice for this recognition without question. His efforts have truly improved the lives of our kids and families."
Executive Director Jeff Kroon followed with the announcement of a very special grant in the amount of $50,000 which has been presented to the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown in honor of Charles DeAngelo by the Carnahan Jackson Foundation Board of Directors. Presenting the honorary grant to the Boys & Girls Club, Stephen Sellstrom, executive director of the Carnahan Jackson Foundation, said, "The Carnahan Jackson Foundation is pleased to make this grant in honor of Chuck DeAngelo. Chuck is an American success story both as an attorney and as a tireless volunteer in the community. With his infectious laugh and his quick wit, he has been a model for many people in Chautauqua County."
The grant will be dedicated to the enhancement and expansion of the Boys & Girls Club's youth development programs.
Kroon expressed the club's deep gratitude to the Carnahan Jackson Foundation for the grant as well as for DeAngelo's active participation and service to the organization.
"Chuck is a great friend to the club in many ways," Kroon said. "He is always open, accessible, thoughtful and honest in his advisement. Chuck is 100% mission driven in all aspects of his involvement with the club. Chuck grew up on Allen Street and was a true 'Club Kid' himself. He is living proof of what can be accomplished, even from humble beginnings."
In his acceptance of both honors DeAngelo said he was deeply humbled and said the club has been an important influence throughout his life.
"I have a lot to be thankful for, especially including my wife, children, and grandchildren. Raised by two working parents and my grandmother (Nana), I was always given support to grow. The Jamestown Boys and Girls Club was a key part of my growth. At "The Club," I learned to respect authority and to strive to achieve a better life. Those lessons were priceless. As I've said 1,000-plus times, I'm glad I grew up as "Chuckie" from Allen Street in Jamestown (first named that by Manley Anderson, a Jamestown Post-Journal reporter)."
DeAngelo is currently a member of the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown Board of Directors and the Jamestown Boys Club Alumni Association, serves in the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Eighth Judicial Department Committee on Character and Fitness, and the Jamestown Bar Association Public Relations and Judicial Selection Committees. Also, DeAngelo serves as counsel for the Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association Sled Hockey Program; Jamestown Area Youth Soccer, Inc.; Jamestown Babe Ruth Baseball League; Jamestown Babe Ruth World Series; Children's Love Fund; and Jamestown Vietnam Veterans' Association.
He was formerly a member of the Hunter's Hope Board of Directors; Chautauqua County Blind Association Board of Directors; St. James Church Building Drive (co-chairman); Cornell University Alumni Ambassadors, Chautauqua County Chapter (chairman); Jamestown Bar Association Public Relations Committee (chairman); Jamestown Bar Association (president); Jamestown Public Schools Effective Schools Committee (community member); Joint Neighborhood Project board; legal advocate for Medical Equipment Fair Hearings; WCA Hospital Board of Directors; Hockey for Hospice (chairman); and New York State Access to Justice Pro Bono Service in the Eighth Judicial District.