The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (November 19, 2012) – Community Unity has announced that the winners of the 2012 Community Heroes Award are Les and Amy Kristt of Monticello, Anthony Rodriquez of Fallsburg, a posthumous award to Lori Rubinstein and the winner of our Facebook vote, Kathy Kreiter.

The awards will be presented at the Community Heroes Dinner on December 4, at the Federation for the Homeless, 9 Monticello Street. in Monticello, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The tax deductible tickets are $30 per person when purchased ahead of time or $35 at the door.

Tickets can be obtained from Community Unity members, by calling 845-557-3642 or by contacting Community Unity via Facebook.

Les and Amy Kristt are distinguished by the scale and breadth of their community service work. Active in Monticello Rotary, the Kristts have a hand in the wide variety of community service work performed by the organization. Whether it is at the Monster 10K, planting daffodils in Monticello or raising funds for the clock on Broadway, Les and Amy can be found in the thick of things. However, their activities do not stop with Rotary. From Monticello Bicentennial Celebration to parrot rescues to Saturday mornings at the DREAM Tank, if there is a good cause out there, chances are the Kristts have had some involvement.

Anthony Rodriquez is well known throughout Sullivan County as a representative of Fidelis Care, supporting many non-profits through his work. However, Anthony is more than an insurance provider, often being called in by other organizations to assist an at risk family, not only getting them medical help, but also advising them of other means of assistance available throughout the county. Anthony also reaches out to many of the at risk youth in the area, doing his best to pull them back from poor choices. Throw in litter plucking and serving on the board of the Fallsburg Library and you begin to see just how busy this Community Hero can be.

Community Unity will also honor Lori Rubinstein as a Community Hero. An indefatigable volunteer for multiple organizations, Lori was taken too soon from this life. Her contributions are honored not just to Community Unity, but to the many organizations that benefitted from her creativity, energy, humor and dedication.

Kathy Kreiter is the current director of the Federation for the Homeless, active in the beautification project at Dillon Park in Monticello, as well as in maintaining the beauty of the park, organizes and raises money for a senior citizens dinner dance each year, volunteers at her church, and can generally be found at most community projects.