The dedication of Robert and Mary Ellen Zickl to the children of Genesee County is a big reason the Batavia couple was honored on Friday at Terry Hills by The Jerome Foundation with the 38th Health and Humanitarian Award.

Besides taking children in need into their home for long and short stays, the Zickls have been advocates and supporters of Catholic education. Mary Ellen is also the founder of All Babies Cherished.

The 38th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Robert and Mary Ellen Zickl of Batavia on Friday, December 1, at an awards luncheon at noon at Terry Hills Restaurant. The award presented by The Jerome Foundation recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.

Nominations reflected “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.” In naming Mr. and Mrs. Zickl for this year’s award, The Jerome Foundation will recognize them for their many humanitarian and volunteer efforts. 

The Zickls were nominated by Mrs. Karen Green, Principal of St. Joseph’s School. She notes, “Bob and Mary Ellen have opened their home to countless children over the years, whether it be a short stay or a long one. The loving, compassionate and safe home that they provide has lasting memories and effects on all those who are familiar with them. In two instances in particular, they opened their home to children who
were not their own, but who were treated as members of their family, with much love and support during particularly challenging times. I know they will forever consider the Zickl home to be their own.”

Both Bob and Mary Ellen have given countless hours of volunteer time to St. Joseph School and Notre Dame High School. Bob currently serves on the ND Board of Directors and St. Joseph School Board. He volunteers on the sidelines coaching ND football, as well as organizing and supervising athletes in the weight room, always promoting good fitness and healthy choices. 

Mary Ellen is Foundress of All Babies Cherished and currently is involved in the Rosary Society at Ascension Parish, chairing several committees. Both Bob and Mary Ellen are Ascension Church lectors.

Bob Zickl is an Assistant District Attorney for Genesee County. Mary Ellen is a retired Special Education Teacher. They have five children and reside in the City of Batavia.

The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by mailing a check to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021. For information call Chris Fix at 356-3419 or by email to thejeromefoundation@gmail.com. Seating will be limited and reservations are encouraged by Nov. 24. 

The Jerome Foundation is seeking nominations for the Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County. This will be the 38th year the award has been presented. 

The first award was presented to Dr. Sydney McLouth. Award winners for the past four decades have included healthcare workers, builders, teachers, and many community volunteers.

The award recognizes outstanding men and women whose volunteer efforts have improved the physical, emotional or spiritual well-being of the greater Genesee County area. 

“We are fortunate to have many caring and committed volunteers devoted to the sick or to those in need, and helping build a stronger, healthier community for all of us”, said Justin Calarco-Smith, president of The Jerome Foundation.

Nomination forms are available online at www.thejeromefoundation.org or by calling 585-356-3419. Organizations or individuals may nominate candidates. Consideration will be given to actual accomplishments achieved through volunteer service and subsequent improvements to quality of life. 

Nominations should be submitted on or before October 13. The 2023 award winner will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, December 1 at Terry Hills Restaurant.

On Thursday, the Jerome Foundation awarded the William F. Brown, Jr., scholarship to Parker Dowell, a senior at Le Roy High School, who will be attending the  University of Cincinnati, majoring in marketing

Brown was a local journalist and author who at one time owned WBTA and was a founder of the Jerome Foundation. 

Each year, the foundation awards a scholarship of $1,000 a year for four years to a Genesee County student who plans to study journalism, public relations, communications or marketing in college.

Photo: Ron Chrzanowski, chairman of the scholarship committee, Christine Dowell, Jim Dowell, Parker Dowell, and Justin Calarco-Smith, president of the Jerome Foundation

Submitted photo and information

The Jerome Foundation is sponsoring the William F. Brown Jr. Scholarship. The award is given in memory of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted author, broadcaster, and journalist who contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County through his writing and as a member of numerous community and civic organizations.

An annual $1,000 scholarship for four years for a total of $4,000 will be given to a deserving Senior graduating from a Genesee County School whose intention is to pursue a career in the field of journalism, marketing, communication or public relations (in print, radio, television or digital media).

Applications for the scholarship have been sent to area High School Counselors or can be found at thejeromefoundation.org. Applications are due May 8,2023 and can be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Batavia, NY, 14021.

If further information is needed, contact Chris Fix at thejeromefoundation@gmail.com or 585-356-3419.

Press release:

The 37th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Peter Zeliff of Batavia on Friday, Dec. 2, at an awards luncheon at noon at Terry Hills Restaurant. The award presented by The Jerome Foundation recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.  Nominations reflected “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.”

In naming Mr. Zeliff for this year’s award, the Jerome Foundation will recognize him for his many volunteer efforts.  He developed the WNY Aviation Adventure Camp for high school students interested in the field of aviation. He is spearheading an effort to bring back in 2023 the Wings Over Batavia airshow. Pete also has served on the Board of Directors of many local organizations.  Currently, he is Chairman of the GCEDC Board and serves on the UMMC Board of Directors. He also volunteers for Wings Flights of Hope, Veteran’s Air Lift Command and the Special Olympics Airlift.  In addition, he has supported multiple charitable causes in our community, including but not limited to, ARC, Crossroads House, CASA, ARC, GCC, Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Ricky Palermo Foundation. 

In nominating Pete Zeliff for this award, Paul Battaglia stated that “in his own quiet way, Pete has been involved in numerous events that have as their sole purpose the betterment of the people of our county.  Perhaps one of Pete’s largest contributions to our community has been his involvement in the development and capital campaign for the Healthy Living Campus.  He has spent countless hours working on the planning and fundraising for this project.”

In his letter of support for Peter Zeliff, Ricky Palermo wrote that “Pete if a person who gives selflessly of his time, talents and treasures to our community.  He has flown many at his own expense – including me – in need of medical care to other states so they can receive necessary treatment. Pete has dedicated his life to helping those in need and giving back to our community.”

The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public.  Tickets are $25 and maybe purchased by mailing a check to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021. For information call Chris Fix at 356-3419 or by email to thejeromefoundation@gmail.com.  Seating will be limited so early reservations are encouraged by Nov. 24.

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens

The Jerome Foundation is sponsoring the William F. Brown Jr. Scholarship.  The award is given in memory of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted author, broadcaster, and journalist who contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County through his writing, and as a member of numerous community and civic organizations. 

An annual $1000 scholarship for four years for a total of $4000 given to a deserving senior graduating from a Genesee County School whose intention is to pursue a career in the field of journalism, marketing, communication or public relations (in print, radio, television or digital media).

Applications for the scholarship have been sent to area High School Counselors or can be found at thejeromefoundation.org.  Applications are due May 9, 2022, and can be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021.  If further information is needed, contact Chris Fix at thejeromefoundation@gmail.com.  

Press release:

The 36th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Bill Hayes of Batavia at noon on Friday, December 3, at a luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant.  The award presented by The Jerome Foundation recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.  Nominations reflected “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.”

In naming Bill Hayes for this year’s award, The Jerome Foundation will recognize more than thirty years of volunteer service and community involvement by Bill. He has been a supporter of multiple charitable causes in our community including Habitat for Humanity, BEA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Notre Dame High School, St. Joseph School, YMCA, YWCA, All Babies Cherished, Batavia Lions Club, Northgate Free Methodist Church, among others.   

In nominating Bill Hayes, Ricky Palermo a past recipient of the Health and Humanitarian Award notes that “Bill Hayes checks all the boxes as a devoted family man and strong business and community leader.  Upon purchasing Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning in 1991, Bill moved into the community and immediately made an impact.  He is a leader in his field and takes pride in employing veterans and active servicemen and women, as he himself served six years and is a Navy Veteran.   His significant donations are done with the spirit of bettering our community and the lives of its citizens, not for personal notoriety.  Bill is honest, dedicated, and compassionate, and all-around positive man? Bill has always said, ‘if I take care of Batavia, Batavia will take care of me.’  He has certainly done an excellent job of taking care of our community and is well-deserving of this award.”  Jim and Nancy Palermo add “Bill is a humanitarian simply by the way he leads his life and conducts his business.”

Jaylene Smith-Kilner, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County wrote “Bill is always on deck as a community partner of Habitat.  When our families lay their heads on their pillows in their new home for their night’s rest, it is through Bill Hayes’s generous heart that they keep warm physically and in their hearts.” Construction Manager PJ Riner notes “when Bill has his crew on our build site, he always says ‘let’s do some Habitat’ with a smile on his face, ready to go.” 

Bill Hayes will be honored at a luncheon at noon on December 3 at Terry Hills Restaurant. The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public.  The event is $25 and reservations can be made by mailing a check to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia 14021 by November 26th.  Seating will be limited. For further information contact Chris Fix – 585-356-3419.

The Jerome Foundation is seeking nominations for the Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County.

This will be the 38th year the award has been presented.  The first award was presented to Dr. Sydney McLouth. Award winners for the past four decades have included health care workers, builders, teachers, and many community volunteers.

The award recognizes outstanding men and women whose volunteer efforts have improved the physical, emotional or spiritual well-being of the greater Genesee County area.

“We are fortunate to have many caring and committed volunteers devoted to the sick or to those in need, and helping build a stronger, healthier community for all of us,” said Justin Calarco-Smith, president of The Jerome Foundation.  

Nomination forms are available on-line at www.thejeromefoundation.org or by calling 585-356-3419.  Organizations or individuals may nominate candidates.  Consideration will be given to actual accomplishments achieved through volunteer service and subsequent improvements to quality of life.  Nominations should be submitted on or before October 10.

The 2021 award winner will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, December 3 at Terry Hills Restaurant.

Inspired by the oldest continuously operating newspaper investigative journalist department in the nation, Batavia High School senior Sophie Beckman is determined to helping the downtrodden and oppressed people in society while working toward her newswriting goals.

Beckman’s aspirations, along with her academic achievements and extracurricular activities, impressed the scholarship committee of The Jerome Foundation, which has awarded her with the William F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship for 2020-21.

Beckman, daughter of Anthony and Jolene Beckman, was honored Thursday at a luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant.

The $4,000 scholarship -- $1,000 annually for four years – is given to a graduating senior from a Genesee County high school who will be pursuing a career in journalism, communications, marketing or public relations.

It is presented in memory of William F. Brown Jr, a local journalist who was very involved in community service and was a charter member of The Jerome Foundation.

Beckman, who placed third in her graduating class, will be attending the State University of New York at Stony Brook, which is located on the north shore of Long Island -- approximately 60 miles east of New York City.

She said she chose Stony Brook for its journalism school and hopes to carve a path for herself to work in the metropolitan area.

“One of my end goals is to become an investigative journalist, and focus on uncovering things beneath the surface to help people who have been marginalized or just have experienced injustice in the world,” she said. “An inspiration behind that is the investigative journalism team, such as the Spotlight team from the Boston Globe.”

It was the Spotlight team that uncovered and reported upon widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area by numerous Roman Catholic priests.

“When I heard about that, that’s why I wanted to become an investigative journalist to uncover stories like that on a national level,” she said, noting that she became interested in journalism during her sophomore year. “Not only from the investigative standpoint but also because I love writing – and sort of combining writing with social activism, which is what I really want to pursue and journalism seemed like the perfect combination of that.”

Beckman said The Jerome Foundation scholarship stood out for her because “it was for someone who was pursuing journalism and also that wanted to help other people, the way Mr. Brown did.”

“He helped the community and, based on what I read, he promoted Genesee County in particular,” she said. “And The Jerome Foundation, in general, their goal is to provide funds to better the community and I think that’s the ideology that I have – to use my work to better the community; not just to better myself, but to help others.”

Beckman completed many advanced placement courses at Batavia, and also is graduating with a Seal of Biliteracy as a result of taking Spanish throughout high school, including college-level classes. She also was involved in varsity sports, mock trial, scholastic bowl, National Honor Society and student government.

She said she hopes to intern next summer when she’s back home, mentioning The Batavian as a possible place to gain experience.

Photo, from left: Ron Chrzanowski, vice president of The Jerome Foundation, presents a plaque recognizing Sophie Beckman, a Batavia High School senior, with the William F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship as Sophie's father, Anthony, and Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D., member of The Jerome Foundation Board of Directors, look on. Photo by Mike Pettinella.