Kendra Chudzynski won the Community Service Award at the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala on Saturday, April 27, at the Akron Community Center. From left are Chamber Executive Director Jillian Smith, presenter Mart Smith, Chudzynski and Chamber Board President Taylor Showley.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Kendra Chudzynski has volunteered with Fulton County kids and adults in various ways.

For her efforts, she received the 58th Community Service Award at the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala on Saturday, April 27.

The event was held this year at the Akron Community Center, with a Kentucky Derby theme.

Chudzynski’s boss at The Smith Sawyer Smith Agency in Rochester, Mart Smith, presented her with the award.

He noted the honor is given to someone annually who “has exemplified service to the community and to others.”

“It is given to somebody that has just given time, money, energy and spirit to everything that they have been involved with,” said Smith.

He said Chudzynski, an insurance agent, had been heavily involved with the chamber, including serving as a past president of its board of directors.

Smith said Chudzynski had spent time reading to Columbia Elementary School students. She’s also “volunteered time at (The Outlet) Youth Center and has worked with the Fulton County Leadership Academy,” he said.

Chudzynski’s other community service past and present includes being involved with the Kiwanis Club of Rochester, having served as president; Fulton County United Way; the Fulton County Council on Aging; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Court Appointed Special Advocates of Fulton County; Rochester Parks and Recreation Board; and Rochester Redevelopment Commission.

Chudzynski said she was “a little shocked” to get the award.

“I am so fortunate to live in this community,” she said.

Chudzynski thanked her husband Dan Chudzynski for his support.

“I’m so grateful to this community. I love this community,” she added, noting she raised her family in Fulton County.

“This room is filled with people who just serve their community every day,” Kendra added.

“I learned to live a life of community service through my mom. She was always a volunteer in all of the organizations (when I was) growing up,” she said after the gala. “My family supports me. My Smith Sawyer Smith family supports me. I’m going to continue to support this community that I love.”

“I’m very fortunate to be here and live here, and we have so much to offer, and I’m just so thankful to be part of this community,” said Kendra.

Others receiving awards April 27 included: The Times Theater of Rochester for Organization of the Year; attorney Lauren Adley of Perkins & Adley LLP for Business Professional of the Year; and Mustard Seed Mercantile of Rochester for Emerging Business Award.

The chamber also gave out awards for best dressed male attendee and best dressed female attendee, which Dave Sommers and Katrina Jackson respectively won for donning the best Kentucky Derby attire.