Glen Cove Volunteer is ‘Citizen of the Week’

volunteer Alix Liss was selected by Citizens Bank to be a “Citizen of the Week” award-winner for her outstanding community service in September. 

When Franca Trunzo, Director of Operations at the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, nominated Liss for the award, she had no doubt in her mind that the 17-year-old would receive the honor.

“She has a real passion for the Club,” explained Trunzo.

Liss first became involved with the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club through a program at her high school called We Are the Community Helpers (WATCH).

Members of this Friend’s Academy community service club provide homework tutoring assistance to children at the Boys & Girls Club after school two to three times a week. 

Liss believes she and her fellow WATCH members are providing a much-needed service to Club children.

“They don’t have much experience one-on-one because they are in a big school district with tons of kids,” she said. “So having that individualized help is beneficial.”

Although Liss is president of WATCH, she felt her contribution to the community could be even greater.

“I decided that I wanted to do more, so I’d come more than once or twice a week,” she said.

In addition to tacking on a few extra days of helping kids with their homework, she is also apart of the Club’s annual Holiday Toy Drive and Community Thanksgiving Dinner. 

Liss is one of only two teenagers to actually win the “Citizen of the Week” award. She added, with a smile, she was “happily surprised” when she learned Trunzo and Melissa Tierney, Executive Director, had nominated her for the honor. 

“Alix is extremely dedicated to the kids...the club itself, the programs," said Trunzo. "She really bonds with the staff - more so the kids - but she has a real passion for the Club." 

Liss said winning the award only reaffirmed her passion for community service. 

“I think it’s really special because I really do value community service, and it shows me that my participation does contribute and impact the community around me, even if it is just this one Boys & Girls Club,” she said. “It really shows me that what I’m doing counts.”

As for the teen’s future plans, she hopes to become a pediatrician. She will begin applying to colleges in the upcoming weeks. Schools of interest include: Barnard, Brown, Williams, Northwestern and Duke.

Liss claims she has already began asking her college tour guides if there are Boys & Girls Clubs in each potential campus' community.