community SERVICE AWARD
SINCE 2016, WE HAVE BEEN recognizing MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
WHO HAVE MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.
The Sag Harbor Community Service Award has been given at the end of each year since 2016.
The full list of recipients is below.
2024: FRED THIELE
With 40 years in government, and after being re-elected for 29 years as State Assemblyman for New York’s First District, Thiele’s public impact can hardly be overstated. The establishment of the Community Preservation Fund to save the East End’s environment, history and character, followed by the Community Housing Fund, the bipartisanship he maintained as a legendary legislator, and much more –
all evidence his embodiment of the very notion of community service.
2023: ERIC FISCHL
Fischl was honored with the CSA because of his vision of Sag Harbor as being a “makers” village, from the whaling industry to its importance in welcoming artists and other creatives. His early financial support of the rebuilding of the Cinema as well as saving John and Elaine Steinbeck’s home was crucial to those endeavors. His founding, with his wife April Gornik, of The Church gave vibrancy to our historic village as well as preserving the old Methodist Church from which it was created.
2022: linley pennebaker hagen
Pennebaker Hagen has involved herself in multiple initiatives benefitting Sag Harbor and the East End. She co-founded the Sag Harbor Youth Committee. As member of the John Jermain Library's Board, she helped fundraise for its addition. She formed Friends of the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, and eventually became president of its Board from 2016 to 2020. Since 2016, she was a member of the Board of Mashashimuet Park where she helped raise funds for its new playground.
2021: diane schiavoni
Diane Schiavoni, one of Sag Harbor’s most dedicated volunteers, was recognized in honor of her outstanding commitment to the pressing needs of the village.
Mrs. Schiavoni worked to raise more than $51,000 for the restoration of the historic grandstand in Mashashimuet Park. soliciting donations from a table she set up on Main Street for weeks. She also lent her support to fundraising efforts to restore the Civil War Monument trough and iron fencing, and the lanterns on Main Street.
2020: Sag harbor community food pantry
Evie Ramunno, longtime leader of the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry and Food Pantry volunteers, were honored for their steadfast commitment to helping families in need, week after week, all year long. Their commitment has been nothing short of extraordinary, and inspiring for our entire community.
2019: greg ferraris
Greg Ferraris, native of Sag Harbor Village, received the Community Service Award for his generosity in supporting many community endeavors, as well as having served as Sag Harbor’s Mayor with fairness and balance throughout his tenure. He has also been involved in
2018: nada barry
Nada Barry, one of the most civically-dedicated members of our community, co-founded Hampton Day School, the Sag Harbor Youth Resource Center, and attends and involves herself in meetings and community events, including village board meetings, library board meetings, and school board meetings. She is a great keeper of the history and values of our Village.
2017: ed hollander
Ed Hollander was awarded for the pro bono work he did in designing John Steinbeck Park, for plans to create a more pedestrian-friendly Long Wharf, and a conceptual landscaping plan for the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum. Mr. Hollander aided in cleaning up both the Oakland Cemetery and the St. David A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery in Eastville, and helped redesign the Meadow Street parking lot behind the business district.
2016: April gornik
A founding member of the Sag Harbor Partnership, Gornik received the award for her steadfast volunteer work concerned with historic preservation, the well-being of animals and the environment, and the initial efforts to raise awareness and funding for the creation of the John Steinbeck Memorial Park. She also authored the vast majority of the Sag Harbor Walking Tours app, also available here.
