Foundation honors Ogdensburg-area 'heroes'
LISBON — The Jules of Life Foundation, alongwith Lisbon Central School, YES FM, Q-Country 102.9 and PAC 98.7 presented William and Shelley Breen, Ogdensburg, with the "2009 St. Lawrence County Hero of the Year" award at Lisbon Central Thursday evening.
Nominated by their daughter, Elizabeth Testani, Mr. and Mrs. Breen were selected from a group of five finalists, which also included Drs. V. Prasad and Suseela Yitta, David E. Shea, Shelly Beebe, and Chelsea Chambers.
The mission of the foundation is to support children with pediatric cancer, primarily in St. Lawrence County, through outreach programs, inspirational events, financial support and research. Thursday's event was organized by the founders of the organization, Blake and Carmen Gendebien, Ogdensburg.
In her nomination, Mrs. Testani recognized her parents for their passion and selflessness in adopting seven foster children, five with disabilities, in addition to the four biological children they raised in their home. The Breens, in 1996, decided to open up a foster care home, which over the course of the next 11 years, touched and improved the lives of 20 children.
"My parents are very hard working people and have never once put anything in front of us children," Mrs. Testani wrote. "If we needed them, they were there. I am what I am today because of their support, love and encouragement. I only hope that I am half the parent that they have been."
She added: "My parent's passion and desire to help needy children throughout St. Lawrence County by giving them shelter and love is both inspiring and heroic. My parents, William and Shelley Breen are St. Lawrence County Heroes."
Mr. and Mrs. Yittawere nominated and recognized for their more than 28 years of serving the city of Ogdensburg at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and surrounding area, day and night.
Mr. Sheawas nominated and recognized for his inspirational attitude despite being born with disabled feet. "The Doctor," as Mr. Shea is affectionately known, not only donated a kidney that saved his brother's life many years ago, but has also noted north country athletics through his sportswriting at the Ogdensburg Journal.
Mrs. Beebe,proprietor of Tru North pizza and gas station on Flackville Road, was nominated and recognized for promoting the importance of education in a fun manner that kids love. Mrs. Beebe supports school activities at both Heuvelton Central School and Lisbon Central by awarding top students and developing readers with special rewards.
Miss Chambers,a college student and Potsdam native, was nominated and recognized for her volunteering and fundraising for disadvantaged youth of the county, which began in fifth grade at the age of 10 and continued throughout the next seven years, until her high-school graduation. Ms. Chambers dedicated many hours in her endeavors, receiving the Prudential Excellence Spirit of the Community Award and the Presidential Award by then-President George W. Bush.
As part of the special evening, the foundation made another "Make a Wish" gift. Supported by the Ogdensburg Free Academy football team, David Troiano, an OFA sophomore who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins-lymphoma, was presented with a gift of more than $1,000 to help with medical expenses.
