Cloud Nine Rewards

The Leadership Adirondack Class of 2006-07 presented checks on Monday, May 7th to representatives from the two organizations chosen to receive the proceeds from their class project. The project, called Cloud 9, was a benefit held at The Sagamore Resort which featured gourmet chefs from The Sagamore; The Lake George Club; The Inn at Erlowest; Springwater Bistro; The Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark; and Harvest.

Warren County District Attorney Kate Hogan was the guest speaker for this event benefiting the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen of Hudson Falls and the Domestic Violence Project of Washington & Warren Counties. The Chefs and Ms. Hogan both did an incredible job at the event, however the two women attending on behalf of the charities stole the show. Sister Charla Commins for the Domestic Violence Shelter and Rev. Doreen Koch for the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen, shared stories that chronicled many years, decades even, of tireless work with very little press. After impassioned speeches on the people they serve, Doreen and Sister Charla had the crowd of more than 200 cheering as each joked about how long they lived and worked in the area without having ever been to The Sagamore. They really were on Cloud 9.

The first organization the Leadership Class presented a check to was the Domestic Violence Project, representing the organization were Sister Charla Commins and Ms. Rachel Gardner. The check was for $6,480.43.

Todd Shimkus, ARCC President & CEO, Raymond Canavan, Rachel Gardener, Steve Stockdale, John Zanghi, Jeff Meyer, Andrea Deepe, Mark Ripley, Dennis Buckley, Tonya Sumner.

Steven Stockdale, the class member who raised the idea of helping this group, pledged to stay in touch and help Sister Charla Commins in anyway he could.

The second organization was the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen of Hudson Falls, led by Rev. Doreen Koch. When presented with the $6,480.43 check Doreen's eyes welled up. Stomping a tiny foot with surprised delight she exclaimed, "I had no idea how much this was for! Oh you guys, you guys, you guys. Most people don't reealize it cost $5,000 a month to run this place. This will help so much!"


Jeff Meyer, Doreen Koch, Steve Stockdale, Tonya Sumner, Dennis Buckley, Andrea Deepe, Raymond Canavan and Kevin Rosa.


The companies represented in this year's class were: Boston Scientific; Glens Falls National; TD Banknorth; Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom; Christina Holbrook McEntee LLC; FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth; KeyBank; Tribune Media Services; The Sagamore; Glens Falls Hospital; CR Bard; CWI; Warren Washington ARC, Warren County Sheriff's Department.

Applications are now available for next year's LAdk program which will kick off in September. Email Amanda Magee if you are interested in participating