Local Volunteers, Activists, Philanthropists Honored by Planned Parenthood

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Names 2010 Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Trustees

Linda Leue of Albany has been recognized by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood as its 2010 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Leue's many activities in support of the agency include serving as a patient escort on days of anti-choice picketing, helping greet and guide clients to the new Albany health center offices in the first weeks after it opened, providing office support to the Albany health center and to UHPP's Public Affairs office, and participating in lobbying and other advocacy events.

Said Leue, "it has been an honor to work for an organization that provides vital services and support for the women of our community. I believe we must be vigilant to protect Planned Parenthood from those who would limit its mission. The work I do for UHPP, I do in the name of my mother, my daughter, and all the women I love and admire."

Leue was recognized at the agency's Annual Meeting and Recognition Reception at the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Albany on Wednesday, May 18th. She received a bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a gift bag with a variety of small items.

Other Albany residents also recognized at the event for contributing an exceptional number of volunteer hours in 2010 were Mr. Mathew Arnold-Lloyd, Ms. Kristin Barron, and Mr. Chris Bayley.

At the same event, Cathie Love of Loudonville and Carol Stenger of Albany were lauded for their work as co-chairs of Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, Upper Hudson chapter. This volunteer-based group works to encourage and support pro-choice candidates for electoral office.

According to UHPP President & CEO Patricia McGeown, "Our agency's ability to provide critical preventive health care services and medically accurate sex education is increasingly under attack by extreme conservative members of Congress and jeopardized by budget cuts. In these times, it is so important to have elected officials who understand the importance of our mission and who will work to protect access to women's health care. PPANY's work, therefore, is essential. We are tremendously grateful for the time and energy invested by these two women leaders, and to all those from the local area who have participated as PPANY members."

Also recognized at the event were local philanthropists who had contributed $25,000 or more to UHPP over their lifetime. Those from Albany County who became UHPP Lifetime Trustees include Mr. Matthew Bender from Menands, Mrs. Ruth and Mr. William Brooks from Delmar, Ms. Sherry Gold from Slingerlands, and Ms. Patricia A. McGeown and Mr. Donald Walker from Slingerlands.