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Throughout his life, Iray has shown a personal dedication to helping those in need that is truly inspirational. His work at the Community Center of St Bernard is just the latest in an ongoing series of long-term volunteer activities that have spanned more than 20 years. Iray’s hands-on commitment to service began back in 1990 when he started volunteering at The Community Kitchen in Keene, New Hampshire. This non-profit soup kitchen and food pantry is a vital regional center that provides emergency food assistance to more than 12,000 men, women and children each year.

Over the last 16 years, Iray’s volunteer work led him to become involved in virtually every aspect of the Kitchen’s activities. His duties included serving as Kitchen Coordinator, planning menus, overseeing stock rotation, coordinating with other volunteers, assisting with the annual holiday auction, tracking donations, doing data entry during the food pantry distribution, and cooking meals for more than 100 people each night. One of Iray’s most significant accomplishments during his time at The Community Kitchen was personally initiating programs to deliver any surplus food to nearby drop-in centers and food banks in order avoid having anything go to waste.

Once he left NH to help with the Katrina recovery effort in 2006, Iray’s selfless dedication to improving life for those around him continued. In addition to volunteering as the Executive Director of the Community Center, Iray also holds volunteer positions as Vice-President of the Board of Directors for both Unified Non-Profits of Greater New Orleans, and for the St. Bernard Community Recovery Committee. The St. Bernard Parish Council appointed him to the St. Bernard Citizens Recovery Committee as well. In all of these capacities, Iray works tirelessly to advocate for those St. Bernard residents still struggling to recover their self-sufficiency and independence more than 4 years after the hurricanes devastated their homes, schools, and workplaces.

The most significant aspects of Iray’s character are his compassion and his determination. To be so touched by the plight of strangers that you leave your home, family and friends and travel 1500 miles to help them just because they need it is an extraordinary manifestation of caring. And to have a dream of a place where recovering families can come to get resources like food and clothes is inspiring.

In short, although over the past 5 years there have been many occasions when feelings of frustration and being overwhelmed have tempted Iray to simply give it up, pack his things, and go home to New Hampshire, he has persevered in spite of all setbacks and obstacles. For his genuine commitment to helping those in need and for his ongoing and selfless dedication to helping those still struggling to recover from the storms, I am truly proud to nominate Iray.