The Community Foundation is proud to announce Paul Hedberg and Ruth Lundin as the 2022 JDH Community Service Award recipients.

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About Paul Hedberg and Ruth Lundin

A Jamestown native, Paul is the former Assistant Dean of Administration at Jamestown Community College. He served in leadership roles with the Chautauqua County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chautauqua Leadership Network, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. Hedberg is also credited with serving as chair of Research and Planning for Human Service.

It was through Chautauqua Leadership Network that he met Ruth, who had recently moved to Chautauqua County and accepted a position as executive director of the local Audubon Society.

Ruth spent nearly 20 years leading the Audubon Community Nature Center and expanding her passion for the environment by serving on the Board of the Audubon Council of New York State. She was recognized with the Norman I. Stotz Award which honors local members who best demonstrate extraordinary leadership and their contributions to the environmental cause. Today, she serves as the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Jamestown and leads its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Despite busy professional careers and community service commitments, the couple continued to find new ways to spend time together. They supported the local arts community through their involvement with Community Music Project. From collecting tickets and serving as ushers, the couple also lent their voices to several community productions with the choral singing group.

In 2008, Paul was involved in a car accident that left him with an uncertain future. However, with his family’s unwavering support, Paul has continued to make a lasting difference in his community.

Together, Paul and Ruth tutored through Chautauqua Striders and stayed connected to the many organizations for which they developed a deep passion.

About the Award

Since 1994, the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award has been presented annually to individuals to recognize them for their dedication, leadership and support in furthering community spirit and enhancing the quality of life in the Chautauqua Region.

It was first presented to its namesake, John Hamilton, in 1993 to express the community’s appreciation of his tireless efforts and leadership to make the Chautauqua Region a better place.