GLEN SPEY, NY — “Every year this room is filled with so much love and positivity. It is such a beautiful reminder of what makes our little community so amazing,” said Kris Hanson in her welcome to the hundreds who came together to honor local community leaders at the sixth annual Can’t Hurt Steel Community Foundation gala, held on June 9 at the Mountainview Manor Resort. 

Hanson, the organization’s president, continued, “Can’t Hurt Steel is all about resilience, hope and love. We created the foundation to pay forward all of the kindness and support you showed our family during our greatest time of need. We wanted to help others endure when life gets incredibly hard, to inspire others to not give up hope, allowing adversity to bring us together and make us stronger.”

Noting that the theme of the evening was “Imagine,” she said, “Use your imagination not to escape reality, but to create it. Together we can imagine and create a better world. Eight years ago, I could not have imagined all the good that we’ve been able to accomplish together.” 

Among these accomplishments are scholarship funds for graduating local seniors, support provided to local families experiencing catastrophic illnesses; health and welfare efforts at Eldred Central School; and behind-the-scenes funding of the efforts of others to assist members of the community in need. 

Hanson read a note from one recipient who thanked the organization; that person said the assistance they received was a reminder that “even in the darkest of times there is still so much good in this world. We are forever grateful.” 

“Imagine what we’ll be able to accomplish in the next eight years with your continuing support and generosity,” Hanson said.

Board member Meg Hanson Blaut emceed the event. During her remarks she recognized four special guests in the evening’s festivities: James Hanson, Mary and Keegan Blaut, and Alyena Bliefernich. Blaut asked these young people to look around to see a room full of good citizens. 

Blaut stated that even in the past week, Can’t Hurt Steel had provided $3,000 in financial assistance; in the last month, it was $10,000. She noted that people need more help now than ever. 

An announcement was made of the second annual Can’t Hurt Steel golf tournament, which will be held on September 16 at Paupack Hills Country Club in Greentown, PA. Bubba Fountain said that some had asked why the event had been held so far away. He explained that last year, the club’s clubhouse had burned down and that Can’t Hurt Steel, in its mission of helping those in need, wanted to support that enterprise by utilizing the facilities still available. This year, the club reached out to Can’t Hurt Steel with gratitude for that support and said they were anxious for the golfers to be able to enjoy the new clubhouse.   

The evening began with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres, during which the participants were able to bid on raffle or silent auction items. Following dinner in the banquet hall, awards were bestowed. 

The first recipient was Alice Foster, who received the Community Volunteerism Award. Introduced by Caitlyn Haas, Foster was described as a friend to so many, taking them to medical appointments, cooking for them when they are ill, taking them shopping when they couldn’t do it on their own, and even driving women to the hospital when they were in labor. “The world would be a better place if only there were more Alices in it, and we’re all lucky that Alice is in our world. She embodies the very principles that make living in a small town such a joy—the ultimate neighbor and friend who has never met a stranger and greets everyone with a smile and extends a helping hand wherever necessary.” Haas reminisced about working closely with Alice during the crippling snowstorms of 2018 when Highland was an island cut off from the rest of the world. During this time, Alice was found in the Town Hall setting up accommodations, preparing meals and generally taking care of those who could in turn take care of others in need. “She taught me how to meet calamity with compassion and with a smile,” said Haas. 

The Community Leadership Award was given to Conio Loretto. Introducing Loretto, Meg Blaut said that he has served as PTA treasurer and president, and director of Eldred High School musicals. He is the senior music director and oversees music therapy programs at the Center for Discovery. In that role, he hosted a music program involving students from area school districts as well as the center. Proceeds from the concert were donated to Can’t Hurt Steel. Said Blaut, who was present at the concert, “It was the most wonderful experience to watch students with different abilities perform. It was nothing but a success.” Said another, “the event was magic.” She summed up Loretto by saying “He works with people who have been told they can’t do things their entire lives. He works tirelessly to find ways to turn a ‘can’t’ into a ‘can’.”

The recipient of the Can’t Hurt Steel Award was Linda Hazen. In introducing Hazen, Mandy Scully explained that the award was inspired by the courageous life of J.J. Hanson and the community that supported him and forged his undying spirit. It is a tribute to those who have faced adversity through personal or family tragedy but have not let this tragedy define them; rather, they have turned it into something beautiful, infusing their community with their enduring spirit. Stating that Linda is no stranger to anyone in the community, that she has either taught you, your children, or both over the 34 years that she’s worked in the Eldred school district. 

When not teaching, Linda can be found watering flowers at the welcome signs for the Town of Lumberland, picking up litter, or making Circle Park the place of beauty and joy that it is. Linda does more than teach her students social studies, math and ELA; she teaches her students respect, compassion, resilience, community service and community pride. Described as a servant leader, she leads by example, which is a family trait. Concluded Scully, “Character is doing the right thing when no one is watching. Well, I want you to know that we’ve been watching, we know what you have done for the community, for us and for our children. We also know that you would have done it with no recognition, because that is your character. You are an inspiration to all of us and we appreciate your dedication to the community and to its members, big and small.”