Child Care Council Inc. recently honored six child care providers with its annual Start Bright Impact 
Awards for exemplifying the critical role that high-quality child care plays in the lives of young people.
The award recipients were:
– Lifetime Achievement Award: Patricia Pucci, from Faith Child Care and Nursery School in Penfield, N.Y. Patricia Pucci has worked with children for more than 30 years, and she has been at Faith Child Care for 25 of those years.
– Center Award: Friendship Children’s Center in Rochester, N.Y. Friendship was nominated for the award for being neighborhood oriented and for providing a healthy atmosphere where children enjoy learning and playing. The award was accepted by executive director Joi DiGennaro-McMurtry.
– School Age Award: Ivan Green YMCA in Irondequoit, N.Y., accepted by site coordinator Mary Ann Pezzulo. Ivan Green YMCA was nominated for providing a safe environment and for caring for an increasingly diverse child population.
– Group Family Daycare Award: Jessica Mensing, from Nanny’s Place Daycare in Greece, N.Y. Jessica Mensing, who was cared for by Nanny’s Place Daycare as a child, has served as an assistant provider there for four years.
– Family Daycare Award: Rhina Duval of Rochester, N.Y. Rhina Duval was nominated for her work to engage children in activities and for going above and beyond for the children in her care.
– Center Staff Award: Chris Smith, from Creative Environment Learning Center in Macedon, N.Y. Chris Smith was nominated for the care he provides to children with special needs.
Honorees were recognized at the Council’s Start Bright Gala, held at the RIT Inn and Conference Center in Henrietta.
