Mary Herlihy Gearan Named Citizen of the Year

March 30th, 2010

The Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Mary Herlihy Gearan has been named Citizen of the Year.

The Citizen of the Year Award celebrates a citizen who has unselfishly given to the community and who has created a more dignified, unique place in which we all work and live. Mary will be honored at a dinner on April 29, 2010 at Belhurst.

Mary is an exceptionally community minded individual. Since Mary and her family moved to Geneva more than ten years ago, she has diligently given of her time and talents to numerous organizations including Happiness House-Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, The Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, Geneva Public Library-Geneva Reads, Geneva School District, Our Lady of Peace, Women's Conference, and the 3rd Annual Festival of Nations and Day of Service.

Mary has served on the Happiness House Board of Directors for eight years, has been Vice-Chair of the Board for the past three years and currently chairs the Personnel and Nominating Committees. She recently led the agency initiative resulting in a new pension plan for more than 200 employees in the Geneva area. She has been instrumental in the creation of the Happiness House Gala, which is in its seventh year and has raised more than $200,000 for children's services in the Geneva Community. She and her husband, Mark, were Honorary chairs of the 2003-2007 "Happiness is Helping" Capital Campaign which helped raise 1.5 million dollars towards happiness House's new building in Canandaigua and a 4,500 square foot expansion project in Geneva offering enhanced speech therapy and educational services to thirty additional preschoolers.

Mary's impact on young adults is admirable. She is a true Ambassador for Hobart and William Smith Colleges and their students. She has personally assisted in securing many students' internships, volunteer opportunities and employment within the Finger Lakes area which has been good for both the businesses and the students.

Mary's actions and passion inspire others. She recognizes the value of team work and successfully engages others both with mentoring and bringing them and their businesses together in collaborative opportunities.

Tickets to the dinner are $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Limited corporate tables are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Chamber at 315-789-1776. An invitation is available on the sidebar.