Seeing someone in need and striving to meet that need. Empathy for others and service to the meek and low. The people in Livingston County who possess these characteristics are those who make helping others a part of their daily life. 

   Livingston County Catholic Charities annually recognizes these hometown heroes with the Father William Trott Award. The late father Trott was legendary for his service to the poor. Alice Miller Nation of Livonia and James Dollard of Caledonia, received the 2008 Father Trott Award at the Livingston County Catholic Charities 13th anniversary dinner held October 21, 2008 at the Oak Valley Inn in Geneseo for their demonstrated compassion and service to those in need. 

   Father John Hayes nominated and presented Nation with the award.

   "Alice puts the human face of Christ in to our world," he told the large crowd who attended the event.

   Nation serves as pastoral associate at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Livonia. She holds a graduate degree in family ministry and spirituality from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Her passion for people is manifested in her past experiences as a preschool teacher in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, a program coordinator, parish assistant and youth minister at the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. 

   Upon her return to the Rochester area, Nation worked as director of Christian formation at Holy Family and St. Anthony’s churches and as a youth minister at St. Ambrose Parish prior to joining St. Matthew’s in Livonia. Nation’s genuine gift of seeing Christ in everyone she meets enables her to engage not only parishioners, but the Livonia community as well, in carrying out volunteer service wherever it is needed. She is involved with several ministries, including Bethany House, Camp Stella Maris and Catholic Charities. Nation was instrumental in launching St. Matthew’s Eat for Heat dinner in 2006 that raised over $12 thousand for the Livingston County Emergency Assistance Fund that helped many people in the county make it through the heating season.

   Lori Peraino nominated and presented Dollard with his award. 

   "With his quiet, unassuming nature, Jim is a dedicated servant of God. He is an inspiration to us all," Peraino commented.

   Dollard, originally from Albany, New York, holds a degree in economics and sociology from Mount St. Mary’s College in Maryland. He served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, where he recognized his interest in teaching. He earned his degree in education from SUNY Albany upon his return stateside. Shortly after, Dollard and his wife Anne moved to western New York and he became a teacher and administrator at Greece Central School and later moved to the Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School where he spent 20 years as middle and high school principal until his retirement. 

   Dollard now had the time he needed to be instrumental in creating Catholic Charities in Livingston County. He is also a devoted and active member of St. Columba’s parish in Caledonia and was instrumental in the opening of the clothing center which serves many Livingston County families on a regular basis. He also organizes the parish giving tree at Christmas which matches the wish of a needy child with a willing give from the parish.  Dollars is active with the Cal-Mum Council of Churches food pantry volunteers to provide hospitality after funeral masses. Dollard chairs the St. Columba Social Ministry.

   The Catholic Charities event also spotlighted the HOPE Youth Mentoring program that currently has 40 Livingston County youths paired with adult mentors who agree to spend time weekly with the child in order to build a positive relationship, mutually beneficial to both parties. Mentor pairs may take in a movie, spend time outdoors, cook, bake, attend a sporting event, complete homework or any other activity in which the two can establish a connection. Program Director Susan Bell said HOPE is always looking for adults who have the time to spare and who enjoy spending time with youths. For more information, contact Livingston County Catholic Charities at 658-4466.