Gerritsen Resident Receives First Powell Award

Julianna Reynolds became the first recipient of the Mary Powell Award for Community Service during Marine Park Junior High School’s annual awards ceremony this past Wednesday.

Reynolds is a Gerritsen Beach resident who works with Gerritsen Beach Cares, an organization that helps clean up the beach and its environs. She also volunteers to train younger students at her local dance studio, and is part of Marine Park J.H.S.’s drama club, where she recently played Anne Sullivan in a production of the Miracle Worker. Reynolds will attend Edward R. Murrow High School this fall in the Vocal Music Program.

The Mary Powell Award is a $250 gift sponsored by the Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association in honor of Mary Powell, the group’s late president. Powell passed away in February, leaving behind a legacy of community service. Members of the group conceived of the award to inspire future generations to be involved in their community.

For the inaugural awarding, Powell’s son Michael traveled from Connecticut to present the award to Reynolds.

To raise funds for the award, MMH organized a community yard sale on Saturday, June 12. For $25 each, residents of the area reserved 18 tables at The Kings Chapel on Quentin Road and East 27th Street. Revenues from the table reservations will be used to replenish the fund for future years, and Pastor Ron Weinbaum said many left asking when the organization will do another sale.

“We had a great time being a part of this community,” Weinbaum said at last night’s MMH Civic meeting. “It was visible, there was presence, and, more than that, there was a great spirit among the people.”