Public voting chooses grand champion whose designated charity wins $10,000

BY Jason Emerson

Editor

For the second consecutive year, a Cazenovia resident has been named a finalist in the Today’s Options Champions Competition, which is designed to recognize everyday champions who are making a difference in the lives of older Americans in Central New York.

Donna Denison, of Cazenovia, was one of the five finalists announced Monday, July 25, by Today’s Options, a leading local Medicare Advantage health plan, which sponsors the competition. The final winner of the contest, which is determined by online public voting, will have $10,000 donated to the charity of their choice.

Denison has chosen Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York as her designated charity.

“I was quite thrilled to be nominated and quite surprised to be chosen as one of the finalists,” Denison said. “It’s been quite exciting for one thing, been a new experience for me. I’ve met some very nice people … my fellow competitors are very nice, pleasant individuals who are richly deserving of being in the contest.”

Denison works with the older adults at MS Resources to help them maintain a dignified identity, and runs a support group in Chittenango to help people face the disease. Denison herself was diagnosed with MS 30 years ago.

Denison has been a volunteer for MS Resources since the organization was founded 18 years ago. She performs numerous duties for the organization, including talking to newly diagnosed individuals to help them learn about their condition, understand how to live with it and get support when they need it. At her monthly support group meetings in Chittenango, Denison said she conveys the latest research, information and seminars to members.

Previously, Denison volunteered for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is also a leader at the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia. She is in the hand bell choir and serves on the women’s committee and the Edwards Circle Group.

Denison said she has a motto that she lives by: “Keep a positive attitude and do as much as you can for as long as you can, and you’ll find your happiness.”

If she wins the $10,000 prize for her organization, Denison said the money will go directly to MS Resources, “which will be used very well for their clients.” She said 90 cents of every dollar the organization receives goes directly to clients’ needs, while the other 10 cents goes to operating costs.

To help her chances in the competition, Denison said she has been promoting it on Facebook and encouraging everyone to vote for her once a day. The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, where Denison is a member, has made an announcement to the congregation and is printing a write-up in the church newsletter, she said.

The other four Today’s Options Champions finalists are:

• Mary Beth Anderson, of Fayetteville—designated charity: YMCA of Greater Syracuse.
• Mary Anne Corasaniti, of Fayetteville —designated charity: Elder Abuse Program at Vera House.
• Ralph Rotella, of North Syracuse —designated charity: Rescue Mission Alliance.
• John Ryan, of East Syracuse —designated charity: James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

The full stories for each finalist, including brief videos on YouTube, can be found on the competition website at TodaysOptionsChampions.com.

Online voting is now underway at TodaysOptionsChampions.com and runs through Aug. 25. People may vote once a day from any electronic device (so multiple votes can be cast as long as each comes from a different device) for the finalist of their choice.

The finalist with the most votes will be named the 2016 Today’s Options Grand Champion. He or she will be honored at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court on Aug. 30 before the Survivor concert at 2 p.m. The winner will present a $10,000 donation to his or her chosen charitable organization at that time.

“We are proud of the work being done by this year’s Today’s Options Champions,” said James Mackenzie, SVP of Sales for Today’s Options. “Each of our finalists deserves recognition and will be honored at the Syracuse Chiefs game on Aug. 4. The public can get involved by reading the Champions’ personal stories on our website and voting for one Grand Champion.”

Today’s Options Champions are Central New York residents who are examples of how one person can make a difference in the lives of older adults. The competition is a way to recognize people who share Todays Options’ goals of improving quality of life and maximizing access to services for seniors and people with Medicare.