A Richfield Springs woman will be honored Wednesday by the state Senate as a Woman of Distinction for her work with the Zone Community Center.
Jackie Hinckley was selected by Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, to receive the 2009 recognition during a reception with other distinguished women from across the state, a media release said.
Hinckley said her selection was an unexpected honor.
``I am very excited about it,'' Hinckley said Monday.
Hinckley is well-known throughout Richfield Springs as "the head of the Zone," the senator's release said, and was instrumental in taking the Zone Community Center from a dream to reality.
She helped oversee $130,000 in fundraising efforts to build the community youth center, and she has served on the center's board of directors as president and currently as treasurer.
"Jackie is one of those success stories that we can proudly share with our daughters, sisters and neighbors, and who will serve as an example for achievement and excellence for our entire community," Seward said in a prepared statement.
Jeff Bishop, a spokesman for Seward, said the senator received about a dozen nominations in his 51st District.
``All should be commended for the impressive work they do and their distinguished contributions to the community," Seward said in the release issued Monday.
The Zone Community Center opened last year in a 40-by-80-foot building at Ann and Walnut streets behind Richfield Springs Central School, Hinckley said.
The Zone, operated under the Richfield Springs Youth Ministry, started in the basement of the Church of Christ Uniting in June 1999, relocated to 140 Main St., a building owned by local businessman Jay Bernhardt, and most recently was in the old feed mill on Lake Street, also owned by Bernhardt.
Land was purchased for $10,000 in 2006, and the building project was ``an amazing feat'' supported by many in the community, Hinckley said. The building has a kitchen, restrooms and a storage area, she said. The center, which needs landscaping and some construction, was dedicated May 2.
The Zone is open for youth programs and games from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, for ``family fun days'' on Sunday afternoons and for other community events, Hinckley said. She has been involved with The Zone since her three children joined in its activities 10 years ago.
``We all need a place to gather and feel a connection,'' she said.
The center has two part-time employees and otherwise is operated by volunteers, she said.
Hinckley, an assistant teacher, has worked at Head Start for 17 years.
``I enjoy being with children,'' she said.
Hinckley, 50, grew up in Lebanon, Conn., and moved to Richfield Springs 19 years ago to be closer to her father, who had relocated to Jordanville.
Her husband, John, has been ``very involved'' in supporting her work. Hinckley said John, her mother, Barbara Manning, daughter, Justina, 23, and son Jeremy, 22, will go with her to Albany on Wednesday.
Her other son, Joshua, 22, is away and won't be able to attend, she said.
The Senate's Woman of Distinction program was created in 1998 to honor women for excellence, professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance.
Bill Kosina, a teacher at Richfield Springs Central School, said he was ecstatic his nomination of Hinckley was successful.
Hinkley's ideas, persistence and optimism about raising money and finding a permanent home for the Zone, then expanding its programs, have resulted in a tremendous asset for the community, he said.
``It's taken hold big time,'' said Kosina, a Zone board member. ``If it weren't for Jackie Hinkley, this new Zone building would never be here.''
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