Jerry Saxe Wins Statewide Award

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ALBANY, NY (06/05/2009)(readMedia)-- Out in Western New York, when someone asks, "How can I better serve my community?" the answer is, "Be like Jerry."

Gerald "Jerry" Saxe epitomizes the stewardship that is the hallmark of those who volunteer their time, abundant talents and treasure to improve the quality of life in their communities. The Buffalo businessman's list of volunteer service contributions to organizations in Western New York is nearly endless, and his recruiting efforts continually bring in new volunteers whose energy and dedication are a testament to Jerry.

The Buffalo native joined the insurance agency of Matthews, Bartlett, and Dedecker Inc. in 1959, and in time, was made the organization's president, a position he held for more than 20 years. While under his direction, the company experienced strong growth and was recognized as one of Western New York's leading insurance agencies. The company was acquired by the M&T Bank Corp. in 2000 and its named changed to the M&T Insurance Agency Inc. Jerry serves as its vice chairman.

As a vital part of the Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation Board of Trustees, Jerry was a driving force behind the foundation's $4 million capital campaign to build the GreenFields Continuing Care Community in Lancaster. His creativity, unsurpassed breadth of community relations and Midas touch for fundraising were key to the campaign exceeding its goal by more than 25 percent.

In 1999, Jerry was the co-chairman of the very first Leadership Council campaign and also co-chaired the Foundation's 2006 Leadership Council campaign, which raised $206,000 for the initial development of Niagara Lutheran's new continuing care campus on Buffalo's East Side.

Jerry is a committed advocate of higher education and has served on various college boards as well as with the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Charities Appeal, Studio Arena Theatre, the Capital Campaign for the Sisters of St. Francis and the Rotary Club of Buffalo.

Jerry has proved himself a dynamic fundraiser and mentor and has given generously of his time, expertise and money to make life in Western New York the best it can be. For that, NYAHSA honors him as "Trustee of the Year."

Founded in 1961, the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) represents nearly 600 not-for-profit and public continuing care providers, including nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and community service providers.