By Rose S. Prinzi 

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays have passed and the decorations and gifts are put away, we look all around us and realize that the most precious gift we may have been given was that gift of time with family and friends.No amount of money can buy that gift.  It is one that comes from the heart and is probably long remembered after traditional gifts have been exchanged.

Throughout the year, there are individuals who give that gift of time to people they may not even know.  They are our “Unsung Heroes”.   For the past 25 years, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has presented the Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award to that special person whose gift of time, effort and dedication is given consistently and unselfishly to the community. 

The Foundation is seeking nominations for committed volunteers from Southern Chautauqua County who have made significant contributions to our community, while neither receiving nor expecting any reward.  Nominees must not have received any previous community service recognition for their accomplishments. 
 
But we need your help to find that individual.

Nominations are presently being accepted for the Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award. The deadline date to submit nominations is March 1st. You may be associated with an organization or a project where an individual whose volunteer spirit and involvement has made an impact. Tell us about this special volunteer. This person may just be our next “Unsung Hero”!

Axel W. Carlson was a quiet man who had his humble beginnings in Sweden. He was born in the early 1890’s.  As a teenager, he immigrated to this area.  With his carpentry skills in hand, he made tabletops for a business located in Brooklyn Square.  He worked so hard and lived so frugally that he became ill and had to return to Sweden for a time.  When he came back, he met and married Emma and they settled in Sunnyside on Chautauqua Lake.  They had no children. As time went on, Mr. Carlson dedicated himself to his trade and saved his money wisely.  He was always there to help people in need. On November 3, 1981, Mr. Carlson passed away, leaving a portion of his estate to assist the people in the community he left behind.

Mr. Carlson always sought out opportunities to help others in need. He did not do so to seek recognition for his good works, but rather he had an unselfish spirit and simply enjoyed helping others.  Today, the Foundation is seeking out an individual who emulates Mr. Carlson’s simple philosophy.  His life was a model for those “Unsung Heroes” who followed him including Lucille Miller, Susan B. Carlson, Debbie Long, Josh Briggs, Albert Olmstead, Mary Avery, Nancy Gaden, Sarah Pollaro, Roxanne Miller, Kenneth Kilburn, Eleanor Esch, Hazel Porter and Lorri Huckelbery.  

If you believe you know of that “Unsung Hero” who epitomizes the spirit of community commitment and giving, please nominate him/her for the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s 2010 Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award. 

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Foundation’s website at www.crcfonline.org or requested by calling the Foundation at 661-3390.  All nomination forms must be in by March 1st.  Please help us find the next Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero”!