Betty Butz, was recently honored when she was named the 2008 Volunteer of the Year by NYSARC, Inc., a large statewide organization who provides supports and services to more than 55,000 children and adults who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families every day.

Betty was one of the founding parents of the Chemung County Chapter in 1953. Her volunteer activities have included establishing a nursery school for children with disabilities and coordinating major fundraisers. At the Chapter level, Betty served on the Board of Directors from 1957-1959 and since 1980 to the present. She has also served on the Community Relations Committee and sits on the Residential Committee, the Fund Committee, Executive Committee and chairs the Guardianship Committee.

Since 1984 to the present, Betty has represented the Chemung County Chapter at the State level and sits on the NYSARC, Inc. Board of Governors in addition to chairing the Scholarship and Awards Committee for NYSARC, Inc. To quantify Mrs. Butz’s contributions would be astronomical; the number of hours she has dedicated to people with disabilities exceeds hundreds of thousands. Betty’s work has resulted in improving services and greater opportunities for people with disabilities in Chemung County and across New York State.