BATAVIA — Peter Zeliff Sr. of Batavia will receive the 37th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County at an awards luncheon at noon Dec. 2 at Terry Hills Golf Course, Restaurant and Banquet Facility.
The award recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents. Nominations reflected “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.”
The luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and maybe purchased by mailing a check to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, NY 14021. For information call Chris Fix at 356-3419 or by email to thejeromefoundation@gmail.com. Seating will be limited so early reservations are encouraged by Thursday.
Zeliff developed the WNY Aviation Adventure Camp for high school students interested in the field of aviation. He is spearheading an effort to bring back in 2023 the Wings Over Batavia air show, the Jerome Foundation said in a press release. He has also served on the boards of directors of many local organizations. Currently he is chairman of the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors and serves on the United Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors. He also volunteers for Wings Flights of Hope, Veteran’s Air Lift Command and the Special Olympics Airlift. In addition, Zeliff has supported multiple charitable causes in the community, including ARC, Crossroads House, CASA, Genesee Community College, Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Ricky Palermo Foundation.
“in his own quiet way, Pete has been involved in numerous events that have as their sole purpose the betterment of the people of our county. Perhaps one of Pete’s largest contributions to our community has been his involvement in the development and capital campaign for the Healthy Living Campus. He has spent countless hours working on the planning and fundraising for this project,” said Paul Battaglia in nominating Zeliff for the award.
In his letter of support for Zeliff, Ricky Palermo wrote that “Pete if a person who gives selflessly of his time, talents and treasures to our community. He has flown many at his own expense – including me – in need of medical care to other states so they can receive necessary treatment. Pete has dedicated his life to helping those in need and giving back to our community.”
