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Past Events
 LAUNCHING BRIGHT FUTURES FOR CHILDREN
2010 Awards Breakfast
June 4, 2010
The Westchester early care and education community, along with supporters from business, government, higher education, the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, came together to honor men and women who gave of their talent and passion to expand opportunities for Westchester children. Board President Jeff Samuelson presented Champion of Child Care awards to award-winning illustrator/author Jerry and Gloria Pinkney and Mary Murray of IBM. Joey Awards, named for the late Joseph M. Ungaro, Sr., former Gannett senior executive and first president of the Council’s Board of Directors, were given to Holly Edelstein, Darryl Gibbs, Beverly Johnson, Olga Mercado, Melanie Sindaco and Susan Zucker.
Award winners (Melanie Sindaco, Olga Mercado, Jerry Pinkney, Gloria Pinkney, Susan Zucker,
Mary Murray, Holly Edelstein, Darryl Gibbs)
CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARDS
Gloria & Jerry Pinkney accepting the award.
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Individually, as a couple, Jerry and Gloria Pinkney have created memorable worlds for children and adults blending language, art and message. Their rich and celebrated partnership has brought inspiration, wonder, and understanding to children of all ages, all over the world. We honor their mastery of their craft and the integrity and scope of their work. Their children carry on Jerry and Gloria’s love of art and language. We thank them all for sharing it with us. Jerry and Gloria Pinkney, we honor you both today as Champions for Children.
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CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARDS
Mary Murray accepting the award.
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There are many ways to spark learning and technology provides an invaluable avenue. Mary Murray has been the energetic face of IBM’s KidSmart Early Learning Program in Westchester, overseeing the distribution of more than 350 Young Explorer computer centers to preschool classrooms in community-based and school district settings. She is a model for corporate volunteerism, serving children and families in multiple ways throughout our region. We thank Mary for bringing the world of technology to children who might otherwise be left behind.
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JOEY AWARDS
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Holly Edelstein’s journey to bring the best services to children and families spans 20 years. Over the course of Holly’s career, there has been an explosion of knowledge regarding infants and toddlers. She has worked tirelessly to translate this knowledge into best practices beneficial for the infants and toddlers she cares so deeply about. Throughout her remarkable career, Holly has been a teacher, an administrator, a cheerleader, an advocate, a collaborator and always an inspiration to everyone who has had the opportunity to know her or to work with her. Thank you for all you’ve done for our youngest children.
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Susan Zucker would be the first to say that the Virginia Marx Children’s Center at Westchester Community College is a collaborative effort, but it is also true that her vision and professionalism have been the driving force behind this wonderful place for children, families and Westchester Community College students. She is committed to excellence, to lifelong learning, and to the field of early childhood education. Susan shares all that she knows and all that has with her colleagues with great generosity. There is no more highly respected member of the Westchester early care and learning community.
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Darryl Gibbs’ life changed irrevocably 7 years ago when his baby daughter Cynthia was the victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. He established a foundation in her name and is creating a legacy of work in Cynthia’s honor so that other parents will never experience such a tragedy. Darryl travels all over the country and beyond training caregivers, touching each with his painful loss and his fervent hope. His personal experience reaches his audience in a way that is profound and lasting. He has made the world safer for many, many children.
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Beverly Johnson, school nurse in a program for young children embarks on an exciting adventure each day, marked by high activity, urgent needs, and small victories. Beverly Johnson has embraced this challenge at the United Preschool Center with energy and humor along with great understanding of her discipline and those she serves. She dispenses affirmation and hugs as generously as she does health care. The children look for her when she is not at her desk for Beverly is a special and central part of their world. Accept our thanks for bringing so much to your center each day.
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Good early childhood teachers create a safe, consistent world for their children, one that promotes exploration, attachment and growth. Olga Mercado has created such a haven at the Ames Early Childhood Learning Center for her toddler classroom. Toddler teachers are widely admired, for not everyone embraces that developmental stage with unqualified enthusiasm. But Olga’s passion for young children is genuine; her 11 year tenure stands out in a field characterized by high turnover. She is continuing her education and still finds time to help even more people outside her class and her center. We are pleased to present you with a Joey Award today.
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Melanie Sindaco was unable to find the early childhood program she wanted for her son, so she created it. She now owns and runs 2 group family child care homes that offer a language-rich environment, low teacher to child ratios and the services of a speech pathologist. Melanie’s programs are fully enrolled now and for the next few years, evidence that she responded to an important need of area parents. Most people, when faced with an obstacle, decide to settle rather than to persevere. Melanie did not. Instead, she charged ahead, achieved her goal, and helped many Westchester families along the way.
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