Fox Meadow School Nurse Cliona Cronin was recognized with the Rye City Lions Club’s James A. and Marian M. Shea Community Service Award on November 17, during a ceremony at Whitby Castle.
“This award is the highest honor we bestow on an individual,” club President Brian Jackson said. “We solicited nominations from the community, and the overwhelming response was for Cliona Cronin.”
Ms. Cronin has long been known as an active volunteer around the area, who can always be leaned up for assistance and advice. One of her most impactful and inspiring projects was a day of healing for mothers impacted by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Ms. Cronin organized a team of over 100 Rye moms to host 109 Sandy Hook moms for a day of space and healing. The day featured art, yoga, kayaking, meditation, fitness classes and nature walks. The event was capped by a luncheon, memorial service and dedication of a memorial bench in honor of Sandy Hook families. Many of the connections and relationships created that day continue today.
Ms. Cronin was also one of the co-founders of the Rye Mask Project, which organized over 200 volunteers to sew over 12,500 masks. Half were donated to hospitals, with the rest donated to food pantries, and the underprivileged. Masks were also sold, an effort which raised more than $15,000 for Feeding Westchester.
Most recently, Ms. Cronin created The Laundry Fairies, a group of Rye mothers who provided free laundry service to those who lost their washers, dryers and homes to Hurricane Ida flooding. She was also an instrumental part of Rye Relief, coordinating meals, volunteers and emergency supplies for those impacted by the floods.
“Nurse Cronin has a very special talent for honing in on exactly where a need is,” Fox Meadow Principal Melissa Feinberg said. “She always knows who needs help, what needs to be done, and does it with such heart.”
Nurse Cronin is also an active volunteer for numerous other community organizations, including the Westchester Clothing Bank for Children, Carver Center food pantry and participates annually in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
The James A. and Marian M. Shea Community Service Award is bestowed in memory of the Sheas, who were both tireless volunteers and advocates for their community.
