Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Famous People Column – An open Column for all writers

February 21, 2007

 This is a very special famous people edition because it is about our precious writer, Cynthia Groopman, anyone wishing to hear the tape can contact her directly:  Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

CITY'S GREATEST

LIBERTY MEDALS HONOR 10

By RITA DELFINER

September 18, 2006 -- Ten New Yorkers who stepped up to the plate to make the city a winner were saluted at Yankee Stadium yesterday as recipients of the
fifth annual New York Post Liberty Medals.

The hometown heroes, who represent the Big Apple's legion of everyday special angels and advocates, were honored at a reception in the stadium's Great Moments Room emceed by TV host Regis Philbin.

"My first reaction is, New York is the best city in the world," said a jubilant Hector Hoyos, who won the Ambassador Medal for organizing a truck convoy last year so New Yorkers could send supplies to Hurricane Katrina victims.

Rachel Robinson, the wife of baseball great Jackie Robinson, was thrilled about winning the Lifetime Achievement Medal for starting the Jackie Robinson Foundation in tribute to him.

The foundation grants minority students college scholarships and provides mentoring and leadership training.

She got the warmest reception of the ceremony and said she was "very inspired by this whole evening's event."

The Liberty Medals program was born five years ago out of the ashes of 9/11, to recognize all those who jump in with energy and empathy to help the city heal and flourish.

Every year since, we have asked our readers to nominate people whose deeds, courage and devotion to helping others are the backbone of the city.

A panel of distinguished New Yorkers selected one winner from the finalists in each of 10 categories.

"I'm shocked, incredibly excited and proud," said chef-turned-teaching-fellow Walter Morrison, who won the Educator Medal for setting up a diner in his classroom to build the self-esteem of his special-education students and teach them cooking.

"New York is a place where such great things happen every day," he said. "My students asked me, 'Are you going to meet [Yankees owner George] Steinbrenner?'"

In fact, the medal winners stood at home plate before last night's game and were cheered as they were each introduced.

"I'm glowing," said Cynthia Groopman, as she walked off the field.

A teacher before she lost her eyesight, Groopman won the Community Medal for her volunteer work at a Queens senior center, where, among other things, she teaches English and gives telephone support to Meals-on-Wheels recipients.

"To be recognized here at Yankee Stadium, where Babe Ruth, where Lou Gehrig, where heroes of all-time stood, makes me feel as though I am woven in their tapestry," she said.

Firefighter Sheldon George, who was off-duty when he ran toward an inferno at a Staten Island gas station and rescued a trapped driver from a car, said winning the Courage Medal was "kind of still sinking in."

"Anyone would have done the same thing," he said. "You see someone in trouble and you want to help."

Plinio Ayala, the president and CEO of the Bronx nonprofit Per Scholas, was awarded the Leadership Medal for restoring old computer equipment and giving free training, while Sean Mellon, a 16-year-old who's battling cancer and raising awareness and funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, took home the Young Heart Medal.

Army Spc. Noe Santos-Dilone, 21, a Dominican immigrant who lost a leg while fighting in Iraq and became an American citizen in July, was given the Freedom Medal.

NYPD Officer Brian Sheehy, of the 120th Precinct, won the New York's Finest Medal for rescueing a baby in the waters off Staten Island. FDNY fire fighter Joseph Donatelli, of Ladder Co. 132, earned the New York's Bravest Medal for saving a woman from a burning Brooklyn building while he hung from a rope.

1010 Wins

Today's Nominee: Cynthia Groopman

Category: Public Service

Cynthia Groopman lost her sight but not her vision.
After going blind at the age of 39, Cynthia saw a way
to turn her loss into a huge gain for others.

The is an advocate, volunteer, teacher, and poet.
She is counselor for homebound seniors and works
tirelessly at the Delmonica Senior Center in
Long Island City.

Ms. Groopman was nominated by her loving brother
Jacob who said, "through her community service,
Cynthia serves as a truly inspirational and optimistic
individual. Her passion is helping others; her success
is her lasting impact."

Ms. Groopman has been recognized as an
outstanding role model by the City Council of NYC.
 Queens Borough President, and the United
 States Congress.
 

Volunteer Spreads Sunshine and Joy to Queens Seniors

Cynthia Groopman has been a dedicated volunteer at the Peter DellaMonica Center for Senior Citizens in Astoria for the past 13 years. Contributing time on a daily basis, she has developed and directs a number of activities geared toward the interests of local seniors, including a weekly current events discussion group and exercise sessions. In the "Happy Times Nostalgia" group, Groopman leads seniors down memory lane, sharing poetry, inspirational essays and memorabilia that represent different phases of their lives.

This retired city employee has also used her teaching skills to provide English conversation and elementary reading and writing instruction to new immigrants of all nationalities. Because she speaks Spanish, she is able to translate easily and establish quick connections that make newcomers to the Center feel welcome.

Groopman devotes a great deal of time to providing telephone support for homebound seniors who are no longer able to travel to the Center. She calls 30 people weekly to chat and check in and alerts the social worker about any changes in their health or status that would warrant professional intervention. Every three months, she phones the entire list of 100 Center service recipients and submits detailed check-in reports. During these phone conversations, Groopman gets to know each person individually, and talks about many different topics, including family, friends and anything that might be on their minds. She is also known to sing songs and share some of the 360 inspirational poems she has penned. Her warmth, zest for life and animated, cheerful personality no doubt lift the heaviest hearts. "Being their link to the outside world, she provides an empathetic heart and a listening ear and spreads joy through humor, poetry and song, promoting a positive attitude to their loneliness," says her twin brother Jacob Groopman. She herself finds the connections she makes with her callers most rewarding because she develops strong friendships and enjoys ?adding sunshine to someone's life."

Groopman, 55, is a recent recipient of the Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition from Long Island City Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a Citation of Honor for Volunteerism from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and the 1999 Catholic Charities Volunteer of the Year Award. Her poetry earned her recognition this year in the International Who's Who in Poetry and the Best Poets of all Time. She is an active member of the Astoria Center of Israel, where she is chairperson of the Sunshine Committee. Groopman has been a resident of Long Island City nearly all of her life.

- Claire Curry




Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.

September 19, 2006 -- The winners of the fifth annual New York Post Liberty Medals usually hit their home runs far from the spotlight — but at Yankee Stadium the other night, a crowd gave them the cheers they so richly deserve.

The 10 New Yorkers, who represent the many everyday heroes who regularly go to bat for us with their courage, caring and can-do spirit, were given the hero’s treatment Sunday night at the fabled ballpark.

After being honored at a reception in the Great Moments Room in an event emceed by TV host Regis Philbin, the winners were escorted down to the hallowed field and photographed just steps from first base. The highlight came when legendary Yankee announcer Bob Sheppard read their names and their beaming faces were broadcast on the huge monitor for an applauding crowd.

The Post launched the Liberty Medals program after 9/11 to recognize our fellow citizens who are dedicated to helping others without expecting any recognition.

“It makes you so proud to be a New Yorker to know that people like this actually exist in our city, that we brush shoulders with [them] every day and don’t even know who they are,” Philbin said after the reception.