Daniel Frontera '98: Community Service Award Winner

Each year, Medaille presents awards to members of the Medaille community who have excelled outside the classroom.

The Community Service Award is presented to a Medaille graduate for his or her outstanding service to the community. This year’s winner is Daniel Frontera ‘98.

Daniel Frontera has dedicated his life to service. In 1985, Dan joined the Army National Guard. During his 21 years of service, he has been deployed to help with recovery efforts from ice storms, snow storms and flooding. Since 1998, Dan has served as the Director of Development/State & Federal Grants Manager for WNY AmeriCorps.

Dan recruited, developed and deployed AmeriCorps members to serve in the rebuilding of the Mississippi Gulf Coast area for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He has served in the Mississippi Gulf region five times since April 2006. In September 2004 he was deployed to Iraq and served as a leader, mentor, coordinator, and fundraiser.

Dan is a member of the WNY Association of Fundraising Professionals, a board member at the Burchfield Nature and Art Center, Re-Tree WNY, and Reserve Hose Fire Company. He is a Fire Lieutenant and NYS Intermediate EMT with the Reserve Hose Fire Company in West Seneca. He also serves as public information officer and grant writer for the organization, bringing in nearly $400,000 in funding to better equip and protect fire fighters. He is also a facilitator on the Citizen Corps Council, and a past board member of Rebuiliding Together in Buffalo.

Most recently, Dan has been actively involved in raising money and recruiting volunteers to help re-tree the region after last October’s storm. At the end of April, over 500 trees were planted in Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, and West Seneca. Dan’s list of honors and awards is long, but the list of services provided locally and on a national level is longer.

His work behind the scenes, his dedication to service and his 24/7 commitment are the reasons Daniel Frontera is this year’s recipient of the 2007 Community Service Award.