Recognizing Community Champions Who Make Their Mark
Every October, Sunmark celebrates International Credit Union Day by honoring organizations and individuals who live out the people helping people philosophy through community service across New York.
Three Award Categories:
- People Helping People Award - $5,000 to three organizations with missions that align with people helping people.
- Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award - $2,500 to one individual's charity of choice for meaningful community contributions.
- It's Cool to be Kind Student Award - $2,500 to one student's (18 or younger) charity of choice for community service and kindness.
2026 ICU Day Award Recipients
2026 Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award
For more than nine years, Emelia Lewandowski has demonstrated extraordinary community leadership through her service to youth and adults with disabilities. As a STRIDE program leader and swim coach, she has devoted approximately 343 hours to helping 287 athletes learn vital water-safety skills, build confidence, and excel in competition. She trains volunteers, adapts instruction to meet each swimmer’s needs, and is expanding her impact through a free water-safety and drowning-prevention course. Emelia also serves on the rescue and foster team at Out of the Pits, helping vulnerable animals find safety and care. Her compassion, inclusion, and unwavering dedication have changed countless lives across the Capital District.2026 It's Cool to be Kind Student Leadership Award
Akshita Bandari leads with compassion, initiative, and a genuine desire to help others feel seen. Through community events, she invites people to create encouraging cards for care packages—small acts of kindness that have reached hundreds and inspired others to serve. She founded Her Visions, now the NextGen Health Initiative, to provide hygiene products, school supplies, and first-aid kits to communities locally and internationally, directly helping more than 100 people and reaching over 10,000 through advocacy. Akshita has also advanced women’s mental health awareness by bringing the community together to create more than 100 pieces of artwork for a public Capital Region display. Whether leading student organizations, organizing service-minded events, mentoring young athletes, or pursuing healthcare and research, Akshita turns empathy into action and empowers those around her to make a meaningful difference.2026 People Helping People Awards
People helping people is the credit union philosophy. This year's awards recognize organizations whose missions align with this philosophy and who have made their mark on their community. Typically, awarded to three recipients a year, there were so many outstanding community organizations, that the team was torn, and chose four.
Building Blocks Together
Building Blocks Together provides education, resources and connections related to homeownership and real estate investment, with a particular emphasis on helping individuals who have historically faced barriers to property ownership.The Legal Project
The Legal Project provides access to the protections of the law to advance the safety, stability and independence of the people we serve and strengthen our communities. We do this by advising, advocating for and representing people who have traditionally had difficulty obtaining civil legal assistance.Shelters of Saratoga
Shetlers of Saratoga is a Saratoga County-based human service agency providing individualized outreach, emergency and year-round shelter, food, rent and housing assistance, supportive housing, and connections to community resources for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.Past ICU Day Award Recipients
Celebrating organizations and individuals who have made their mark in our communities through the credit union philosophy of people helping people.People Helping People: Operation at Ease, The Caring Closet, MendbyMe, and Inclusive Saratoga
Susan V. Siegel Leader: Seth Harris
It's Cool to be Kind Student Award: Shreya Sharath
People Helping People: The Mr. Mo Project, Kelly's Angels Inc., and Lifesong Inc.
Susan V. Siegel Leader: Ginni Eagan (Young Parents United)
People Helping People: Bring on the Spectrum, Mom Starts Here, and Perfect Ten. Susan V. Siegel Leader: David Gordon (Boys and Girls Club). It's Cool to be Kind: Debron Eley (NAACP Youth Council).
People Helping People: Night Out For You Inc., Black Diamonds Academic Success Inc., and Safe Inc. of Schenectady. Susan V. Siegel Leader: Cheryl Hage Perez. It's Cool to be Kind: Ella Schoenborn.
People Helping People: Hood's House of Hoops, Our Community Cares, and Mission Accomplished. Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader: Kelly Stevens (Food for Thought).
People Helping People: St. Catherine's Center for Children, Albany Pride Hockey Association, and Unity House of Troy. Susan V. Siegel Leader: Jeremy Wernick (Hatsgiving).
People Helping People: Red Cross of Northeastern NY, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, and Women's Employment and Resource Center. Susan V. Siegel Leader: Renee Fahy (Street Soldiers).
