October 8,
2004
-- Ten New Yorkers whose everyday heroism and kind hearts
make the Big Apple tick were saluted last night as winners
of the third annual New York Post Liberty Medals.
The hometown heroes were applauded for
their can-do spirit and valor at a Gracie Mansion
reception hosted by Mayor Bloomberg and Post publisher
Lachlan Murdoch.
"It is an honor to host the New York Post
Liberty Medals reception this evening," Bloomberg said.
"The men and women being honored this evening have made
important contributions to their communities through their
time, talent, work and wisdom.
"They represent millions of other New
Yorkers throughout the five boroughs who go out of their
way to help their neighbors in their everyday lives."
Gov. Pataki, who presented the Community
and Leadership medals, said, "I think it's great that The
Post does this and I'm proud to be a part of it."
The mayor, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly
and Post columnist Cindy Adams were also tapped to present
the medals to winners in the 10 categories during the
ceremony, which was emceed by TV talk-show host Regis
Philbin.
"I'm so happy," said Maria Campanella, a
Brooklyn ice-cream seller who won the Lifetime Achievement
Medal for the many different ways she finds to help her
neighbors.
"I know there are a lot of good people out
there who care about other people," she said, adding that
helping others "makes you feel good."
Arabella Uhry, 8, won the Young Heart Medal
for volunteering with the Tumbleweed Foundation, which
provides emotional support to children with terminal
illnesses. "I feel excited and proud of myself and I hope
I help the kids from Tumbleweed," she said.
The Post launched the Liberty Medals
program in the aftermath of 9/11 to celebrate the goodness
and spunk of those who epitomize the city's unsung heroes.
The Liberty Medals are an important
recognition of just a few of the many great citizens of
our city," Murdoch said.
"The New York Post is honored to again
celebrate these heroes and thank them for making our
community a better place, and for helping to make this the
greatest city in the world."
Post readers submitted more than 1,000
nominations of people from all walks of life, from which a
panel of distinguished New Yorkers selected the winners.
Each winner was given a Liberty Medal
created for The Post by renowned graphic designer Milton
Glaser, who devised the iconic "I ò NY" logo.
"Sopranos: star Lorraine Bracco said she
thinks everyone nominated deserves a medal.
"I read all their stories and I think it's
amazing," she said. "If I could, I'd give everyone an
award." George McDonald, who won the Community Medal as
founder of the Doe Fund's Ready, Willing and Able program
— which puts formerly homeless and disadvantaged people to
work — said he was "very excited about the honor.
"It really is for the courageous, formerly
homeless folks who go out every day and accept personal
responsibility, work hard at improving our communities and
themselves at the same time," he said.
Paul Nicholls was proud to win the
Leadership Medal for starting Team Continuum, a group of
cancer patients, doctors and nurses who run in the New
York City Marathon to raise money and draw attention to
cancer patients' care.
The cancer survivor, who handed Pataki a
Team Continuum sponsor form when he received his medal
onstage, said the award helps him "raise awareness of how
important it is to be part of a support group."
Steve Pouchie, a Latin-jazz musician and
music teacher at Walton HS in The Bronx, said winning the
Educator Medal is "beautiful."
"It's nice that the Liberty Medals
recognize education," said the teacher, who believes that
inner-city students who learn to play the piano develop
the discipline that helps them improve in other subjects.
"I am a proponent for music and arts
education in the city schools," he said. "It should be
part of their daily routine."
