A Cayuga County educator has been honored for his service to the community.
Jim Van Arsdale has been named the first recipient of the Sheryl H Potter Volunteer Service Award from the United Way of Cayuga County. The award is named after beloved community figure and former Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Cayuga County volunteer Sheryl H Potter and recognizes a volunteer from a funded member agency who goes above and beyond to support that organization and the community.
Van Arsdale is a founding member of Perform 4 Purpose (P4P), a nonprofit that provides youth across Cayuga County with the opportunity to learn and perform music, fostering a sense of community while encouraging a lifelong love of music. P4P also arranges live performances with students to raise money for local charities.
Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Van Arsdale said it’s an honor to be able to use music to help make a positive difference in the community.
“[I’m] humbled and honored to accept this award on behalf of the families of P4P. Together, our team has been privileged to collaborate with so many others who work hard to have a positive impact on our community. We are very fortunate to get to do it with playing music we love.”
Julisa Stone, who was mentored by Potter, is United Way’s Campaign & Marketing Manager. She told Finger Lakes News Radio that Van Arsdale perfectly encapsulated the award’s purpose.
“Not only is he helping these students find and go after their dreams but he’s fundraising on behalf of other nonprofits in our community… He’s just really a humble good-hearted person in our community who’s looking out for everybody else.”
Aside from his work with P4P, Van Arsdale a fifth-grade teacher at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia, a member of the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education, and a member of the TomatoFest board.
Potter and her husband, David, were also participants in the Fresh Air for Kids program. She was also an active member of the Sennett Federated Church and the Cayuga County Farm Bureau.
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