Photo Caption: Volunteer of the Year, Joan Bernstein (center, left) joins Mary Bingham-Johnsen, MercyFirst’s Vice President of Special Programs (center) and her friends and family at the dinner.

Each year more than 100 volunteers donate their time to enrich the lives of the children served by MercyFirst, taking part in various activities including: cooking and reading lessons, landscaping and building improvement projects, clerical assistance, and one-to-one mentoring. On the evening of April 29, 2008 over 100 people gathered in MercyFirst’s Casey Conference Center to celebrate the generosity and talents of those volunteers at the Agency’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner.

Joan Bernstein received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Bernstein has been involved with charity causes all her life and came to MercyFirst four years ago as part of the Nassau County Foster Grandparent Program. She immediately felt an affinity for the boys and began volunteering in the school. “It’s a match made in heaven,” she says beaming. “I am so humbled and honored to receive this award. These boys are very special and I love that I can spend time with them and that I can bring something positive to their lives – they bring so much to my life, too.”

Mary Berblinger received the Mentor of the Year Award. She has mentored two young ladies at MercyFirst. As a mentor she has helped these young women overcome obstacles and feel more secure. One of her mentees explains, “I was unsure about having a mentor because I have often felt let-down by the adults in my life, but Mary is different. She has never made me feel judged for the mistakes I have made in the past. She always encourages me.”

Individuals, corporations and organizations who want to make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents can become volunteers and mentors. MercyFirst has mentoring opportunities available throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. For more information on Mentoring opportunities, please call Natasha Wollaston -Stewart, Esq., LMSW, Coordinator of Mentor and Volunteer Services at 516.873.9191, ext. 148.