LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Jan Gallas upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2014 Community Service Award by the
American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association on June 16,
2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Jan Gallas has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jan Gallas
upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2014 Community
Service Award by the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Asso-
ciation, which was celebrated on Tuesday, June 16, 2014, at the Saint
Sophia Community Center, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Jan Gallas has been called upon to contribute her time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, For 23 years, this esteemed woman held the position of Execu-
tive Secretary/Office Manager in the Office of Pupil Services for South
Colonie Schools; she also worked for Capital Region BOCES as Secretary
to the Summer Program, responsible for planning and organizing valuable
programs for Special Education students; furthermore, she taught Comput-
er Education and quilting crafts in the Adult Education Program for 20
years; and
WHEREAS, While living in Florida, Jan Gallas and her late husband,
John, organized a Literacy Volunteer Program which they ran for nine
years; she admirably worked with adults from many countries, teaching
and imparting the oral, written, and organizational skills and confi-
dence which would help them build better lives; the program's great
success led to it being expanded to the local community college level;
and
WHEREAS, Jan Gallas is well-regarded in the St. Sophia community for
her two decades of service as a dedicated member of the Ladies Philop-
tochos Society; since becoming President, she has worked to evolve the
already successful group into one providing even higher levels of chari-
ty and volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, she implemented "The Knitters of St. Sophia," which
brings together women from the three local Greek Orthodox churches for
the purpose of fellowship and to use knitting and crochet crafts to make
a difference; all items and monetary proceeds from the group's products
are donated to local causes; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Jan Gallas attended the Archdiocesan Clergy/Laity
Convention and was chosen to lead the two-year Chapter Challenge;
inspired by this call to service, she used her organizational talents to
synergize the Greek women's church organizations of the Albany area in
raising significant funds for the Schenectady City Rescue Mission; and
WHEREAS, Always seeking to help those in need, Jan Gallas has worked
with the Homeless Action Committee (HAC) in Albany to provide brown bag
lunches and other important services for those less fortunate; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman has left an indelible mark during her
time as President of the Ladies Philoptochos Society; her outstanding
work has continued the society's tradition of service to the community
while at the same time contributing to many new worthy goals; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Jan Gallas has displayed throughout
her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jan Gallas upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the 2014 Community Service Award by the American Hellenic Educational
and Progressive Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jan Gallas.