Organization:
Community Resources and Service Center Inc.
No of Years of Service:
6 years (estimated minimum 12-15 hours per month)
Nominee Services:
After retiring in 2004 as a school teacher of 36 years, John became a “worker bee” board member for the Community Resources and Service Center, Inc. (informally known as the Resource Center). He actively participates in board meetings, serves on the property committee, and is known for showing up with his own tools to do minor fixes in addition to organizing bids and supervising larger projects. He recently spent last fall researching a new car for transportation that would meet the needs of residents to medical appointments but also be more fuel efficient. John drives Pawling residents to medical appointments, unloads deliveries of food/toys and oversees all of the property management of the office building. When the Resource Center has a fund-raising event, John is the “go to person” for designing and posting road event signage, moving equipment, clean-up as well as participating in person and with his checkbook. His presence in the community and investment of time and energy on behalf of the organization serve as a shining example for future volunteer recruitment and board development.
Nominee Goals:
John Brockway has become "Mr. Pawling Community Volunteer". John presently serves on the Board of Elders for Christ Church on Quaker Hill, as Vice President for the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling, and a member of the Quaker Hill Cemeteries Committee. Over the past 35 years John has served the Pawling community in many different ways: Cub Scout Pack Master, coach for Boy Scout merit badges, the Pawling Chamber of Commerce Tree lighting and Decemberfest Committees, a Christ Church Singer, organizer of the Pawling Model Railroad Club, organizing the Historical Society’s educational programs for school groups and fund raisers, and designing the successful “Burma Shave” blood-drive road signs. As the Outreach Coordinator for Christ Church, he has lead teams to New Orleans for four years to help rebuild the city from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and this year he was a crew leader for Rebuilding Together home in Wassaic.
Nominee Impact:
As a true labor of love, each fall John designs and builds a different model railroad layout that is displayed at the Book Cove in the village during the holiday shopping season as an attraction “to shop locally” in Pawling. This past Christmas season was a Harry Potter theme and in 2008, the Polar Express complete with bell and tickets for visitors. Under his leadership, the Historical Society has expanded its own display of models of Pawling rail layouts as the Harlem Valley railroad was an integral part of the development of Pawling. This has become a major attraction for children of all ages to visit the John Kane House.
Why the Nominee Deserves this award?
John Brockway deserves the Spirit of Dutchess County Award because he uses his love of history, his energy and heart to make the Pawling community stronger through his efforts and support of not only the Resource Center but also his church and several local organizations. He does this not for recognition, but to give back to a community that provided his family so many blessings over the years.
Video Commentary:
Nominee video commentary not available
Audio Commentary:
Nominee audio commentary not available
