Schumer Presents Jefferson Public Service Award To Wtvh's Nominee Jan Maloff

US Senator Charles E. Schumer presented Jan Maloff a WTVH nominee from Syracuse, with a prestigious Jefferson Award for community and public service late Tuesday afternoon. Maloff has for the past 8 years, taken used, donated and abandoned bikes and reconditioned them to give away at his annual Christmas Bike Giveaway. Over one thousand families participated in last years giveaway and nearly 7000 children have received free bicycles since Jan started his initiative. Jan also makes available low cost funeral services to needy families, through his funeral home. The Jefferson Awards were founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, US Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard to create a "Nobel Prize" for community and public service.

It is a thrill to present this award to Jan because he is a real asset to the state of New York," Schumer said. "These awards are extremely prestigious and Glenn and the entire WTVH family should be very proud of this recognition."

Schumer also presented awards to these other New York recipients: Glenn Sickles, a WHECTV nominee from Rochester, New York has volunteered for 22 years throughout the state of New York and Canada promoting youth fire prevention programs. He serves as a youth mentor, fundraiser and community garage sale coordinator. Sickles is an asset to the state of New York and a loyal friend to its children. Burke Adams, a Times Union nominee from Albany, New York has been dedicated to serving his community since the age of 11. A few of the ways others have benefited from his volunteer efforts are: founding the HudsonMohawk Road Runners Club and the Bankathon race, serving on his local Board of Directors, organizing sports events for disabled children, volunteering at the YMCA and a nursing home, and participating in all 26 of the Empire State Games.

Diane Stento, WBNGTV nominee from Binghamton, was inspired by the hospitality her family received when her daughter, Danielle, was severely injured by a drunk driver, and decided to extend this generosity by creating The Danielle House in 2002. The House not only provides outoftown families with loved ones in the hospital a place to stay, food to eat and a listening ear, Stento also founded the Danielle 5K Run/Walk in cooperation with the STOPDWI program to raise money and awareness to fight drunk driving.

Suleika Cabrera Drinane, a Univision Radio nominee from New York, New York has spent 30 years on projects related to the advancement of Hispanic women and the lowincome minority elderly population. She founded the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly and 100 Hispanic Women, Inc., and her volunteer efforts have benefited the following: New York Womens Agenda, Hispanic Federation, Latino AIDS Coalition, Comite Noviembre, Minority Aging Defense Council, Hispanic AIDS Forum, Latino Alzheimers Coalition, Coalition of Hispanic Service Providers, Medicare Rights Center, East Harlem Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, Mount Sinai Hospital, Long Island College Hospital, Neighborhood SelfHealth by Older Persons Project, Casita Maria Carver Senior Center and Action for Retired Community. Drinanes philanthropic endeavors also include renovating buildings for lowincome senior housing and organizing a citywide senior citizen conference.

For over thirty years, the Jefferson Awards recognition program has honored individuals exemplifying the highest ideals and achievements in service to America.