Hometown Heroes

Hometown Hero
Hometown Hero
Hometown Hero
This week's "Hometown Hero," Gerald Christie, of Halfmoon, started a nonprofit organization to raise money for students who cannot afford to attend college. But what inspired him to start his generous organization may qualify him to be a "hero" in and of itself.
Philanthropic Pet Photographer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Philanthropic Pet Photographer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Philanthropic Pet Photographer a ‘Hometown Hero’
This week's "Hometown Hero," Jessica Painter, of Albany, works to give animals a second chance at life with new families. She does this by taking professional photographs of animals in shelters in hopes that those photographs will get the animals adopted...
Community Servant of Troy a ‘Hometown Hero’
Community Servant of Troy a ‘Hometown Hero’
Community Servant of Troy a ‘Hometown Hero’
This week's "Hometown Hero," Adrienne Wilson, works to bring a sense of community to Troy. Fittingly, her nominator listed her occupation as a "community servant," reflecting the time and energy she puts into where she calls home. She is driven to improve the environment and encourages youth to start thinking globally while acting locally...
Guilderland Girl Scout Leader a ‘Hometown Hero’
Guilderland Girl Scout Leader a ‘Hometown Hero’
Guilderland Girl Scout Leader a ‘Hometown Hero’
Melissa Rosenthal-Dubin has been leading a troop of Girl Scouts for the past several years, showing passion for her troop and for her community. When she's not helping her girls earn badges, the Guilderland resident also owns her own business and is raising four kids of her own...
Lyme Disease Advocate a ‘Hometown Hero’
Lyme Disease Advocate a ‘Hometown Hero’
Lyme Disease Advocate a ‘Hometown Hero’
Kerry Lawler of Watervliet is this week's "Hometown Hero." She earned this title because of her work as a Lyme disease advocate after being diagnosed with the disease herself. Kerry makes herself available to those who have Lyme disease and need help with what they are going through and making sense of it all...
13-Year-Old Founder of TJ’s Turkeys a ‘Hometown Hero’
13-Year-Old Founder of TJ’s Turkeys a ‘Hometown Hero’
13-Year-Old Founder of TJ’s Turkeys a ‘Hometown Hero’
TJ is a 13-year-old boy who is helping families that are less fortunate than his own celebrate the holidays. He founded TJ's Turkeys when he was nine and has been working to give families in need food and gifts ever since. "Ultimately, hopes that will inspire other kids to help out their communities and make a difference too...
Director of Albany’s Cure The Violence a ‘Hometown Hero’
Director of Albany’s Cure The Violence a ‘Hometown Hero’
Director of Albany’s Cure The Violence a ‘Hometown Hero’
Clarence Jackson, of Albany, is the Director of Cure The Violence, an organization that works to protect the community and keep violence off the streets by hosting awareness events and rallies. Clarence used his own personal experiences to start a movement in Albany to encourage a peaceful environment...
23-Year-Old Guilderland Asst. Fire Chief a ‘Hometown Hero’
23-Year-Old Guilderland Asst. Fire Chief a ‘Hometown Hero’
23-Year-Old Guilderland Asst. Fire Chief a ‘Hometown Hero’
Frank Zabinski may be one of the youngest assistant fire chiefs in the entire Capital Region. At 23, Frank serves the Guilderland Fire Department  and goes above and beyond in his job. According to the person who nominated Frank as this week's "Hometown Hero," "he is a devoted member of the fire department and is always the first responder at each fire call...
Chatham + Stockport Chief of Police a ‘Hometown Hero’
Chatham + Stockport Chief of Police a ‘Hometown Hero’
Chatham + Stockport Chief of Police a ‘Hometown Hero’
Peter Volkmann, of Stuyvesant, is the Chief of Chatham Police, Chief of Stockport Police, Police Academy Director, and a Certified Trainer for International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. He is a man who wears many hats and who, according to the person who nominated him, his wife Layne, "is always doing something for someone...
Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Donald Coons Jr., of Taghkanic, NY, has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 16 and is now the first Assistant Chief of Taghkanic Fire Company in Columbia County. In addition to being a firefighter, he also works part-time as an EMT for Copake Rescue Squad...

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