Sullivan 180 Scholarship Recognizes Volunteerism

Left: Liza Mitchell on the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail. Right: Hope Blecher supervising Erin Skinner at The Daffodil Project.

Sullivan 180, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, awarded two scholarships to volunteers who made a significant contribution to a 2024 Sullivan 180 project. These scholarships will be awarded for the spring 2025 semester to the following individuals:

Liza Mitchell of Rock Hill dedicated her time to volunteering with the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance. Her efforts focused on trail maintenance in the Towns of Fallsburg and Liberty where she beautified entrance gardens, hung trail markers and organized cleanups to keep the trails accessible and welcoming. "Volunteering with the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance allowed me to connect with my community in a meaningful way, improving and beautifying the local trails," Liza said. "It was inspiring to see the community come together and to educate others on the importance of maintaining our shared natural resources." Liza is a junior at SUNY Geneseo studying accounting.

Erin Skinner of Parksville brought her passion for service to The Daffodil Project. She contributed by creating artwork symbolizing the children lost in the Holocaust and collaborated with others to design interactive trees where participants could leave poems or messages in remembrance. "Through experiences like assisting at the Liberty United Methodist Church’s Thrift Store and participating in the Daffodil Project, I’ve learned the importance of connection, compassion, and the power of community," Erin shared. In addition to her volunteer work, Erin also serves as a junior firefighter with the Neversink Fire Department. Erin is a freshman at SUNY Geneseo majoring in biology with a pre-med focus and a minor in Spanish.

For more information on the work and initiatives of Sullivan 180, visit www.Sullivan180.org or call (845) 295-2680.