DIVISION OF INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICES

When: October 16, 2012 Where: The Mays Landing Golf & Country Club 1855 Cates Road • Mays Landing

Each October the county celebrates Disability Awareness Month by presenting awards to individuals who were nominated by area organizations, family or friends in recognition of their approach to life and personal accomplishments, and for enriching the lives of others.

Established by the county in 1989, the ceremony was later named in memory of Donald J. Sykes, a longtime community advocate and former chairman of the county's Disabled Citizens Advisory Board.

About Donald J. Sykes

Donald J. Sykes was born in 1956. At the age of eight, he contracted a rare auto-immune disease called dermato-myositis. This debilitating disease necessitated Donny spending the next eight years in intense physical therapy at the Children’s Seashore House and Moss Rehabilitation Hospital. Donny tried hard and never gave up but the disease continued to progress. His somewhat “off beat” sense of humor and his desire to lead a “normal” and productive life, in spite of constant pain, made people from every walk of life seek out Donny’s company.

Donny was an avid sports fan, and he found ways to participate from the side lines. He was involved in many community causes. He worked on the annual summer barbecue and organized softball and volleyball tournaments for the Winchell School, worked on the Maloney’s Bike-A-Thon, and he organized and acted as general manager for the Bacharach Bombers, a wheelchair basketball team. He was a member of the Local Citizen’s Transportation Advisory Committee and Chair of the Atlantic County Disabled Citizens Advisory Board. Shortly before his death in 1991, he was presented the Silver Sword Award by the American Cancer
Society for his work in community causes.

-Remembered by Anne Sykes McCabe (Sister)

This year’s honorees include:

Joseph Brown, Galloway Township – nominated by friends and the non-profit organization of South Jersey Field of Dreams
Joe Brown has been an active volunteer in many community organizations over many years. He is a board member on the Donny Fund, the Great Atlantic Bluefish Tournament, the Atlantic County Disabled Citizens Advisory Board and the South Jersey Field of Dreams.

Gladys Carney, Absecon – nominated by the Executive Director of Contact Cape Atlantic, Inc.
Gladys Carney is a telephone reassurance volunteer at Contact Cape-Atlantic Inc. and uses a magnifying machine to help her provide reassurance calls to 44 clients who have disabilities or are elderly and in need of daily contact.

Jackie Henkel, Pleasantville - nominated by the Arc of Atlantic County
Jackie Henkel inspired the formation of the Arc of Atlantic County's Special Olympics Track and Field Team and won gold in the 25 and 100 meter wheelchair races. She is also very active in the NJ Statewide Self-Advocacy Network and is treasurer of the Wonder Workers Self Advocacy Club.

Anthony Lanzilotti, Brigantine - nominated by Atlantic Cape Community College's Office of Disability Support Services
Anthony Lanzilotti is enrolled in ACCC's Criminal Justice courses and is close to completing his Associate's degree. Anthony has overcome many classroom and technology issues with diligence and determination. He plans on continuing his education to obtain a bachelor's degree and work in the field of law.

Kathleen Rawa, Egg Harbor City - nominated by friends and fellow members of the Southern NJ Chapter of The National Federation of the Blind
Kathy Rawa is current president of the local National Federation of the Blind and was instrumental in the formation of this new South Jersey chapter. She is also actively involved in other community activities such as volunteering at Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation.