The Island Park Kiwanis Club hosted its first-ever Everyday Hero Celebration last week at the public library, honoring two community members whose years of service have quietly shaped life in the village. Jessica Koenig is the director of the Island Park Public Library, and Alfred “Uncle Al” Boulton is a longtime member of the Fire Department.
Officials and residents gathered at the library to celebrate the honorees on March 10, and Nassau County Legislator Laura Ryder presented them with official citations.
Mayor Michael McGinty praised Boulton’s decades of commitment to the community. “On a personal level, I’m incredibly proud to know you,” McGinty said. “I’m incredibly proud of the example you set for all of the young men and women here in the village. We are deeply appreciative of all your service.”
The mayor presented both honorees with ceremonial keys and commendations.
A library, and more
Koenig was recognized for more than a decade of leadership at the library, which organizers said she helped transform into a central hub of community life. But Kiwanis President Karen Davis said that Koenig’s impact goes well beyond managing a library.
“For more than a decade, Jessica has helped shape our library into far more than a building filled with books,” Davis said. “Through thoughtful programming, a welcoming environment and strong leadership, it has become a true community hub.”
Under Koenig’s leadership, the facility has hosted a wide range of programs and events that bring together residents of all ages, including outdoor summer concerts, classic car shows, educational workshops and youth activities. The library also partners with local organizations such as the PTA and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Children’s Librarian Theresa McCarthy described Koenig as a hands-on leader who prioritizes both staff and community members.
“Jessica truly cares about creating a positive experience for every patron of the library, from our very tiniest visitors to our active senior community,” McCarthy said in a statement read during the ceremony.
She noted that Koenig frequently works directly with visitors, assists with programs and participates in events such as children’s clubs and holiday activities.
“Most library directors spend their time in an office,” McCarthy said. “At Island Park Library, you’ll rarely find Jessica sitting still. She has her pulse on every aspect of the building.”
Koenig, 62, who is expected to retire in June, thanked the community for its support and reflected on her years of service to the village.
Six decades of service
Boulton, who is known throughout the department and the community as “Uncle Al,” was recognized for six decades of volunteer service with the Fire Department.
Boulton, 86, joined the department in June 1965, and over the decades has served in several of its companies. He was a captain in the Hose Company from 1974 to 1976, and later became a member of the department’s truck company.
In 1990 Boulton achieved life member status, and in 2015 he was named an honorary chief.
In addition to his volunteer work in Island Park, Boulton served in the New York City Fire Department for 30 years.
Friends and colleagues said that Boulton’s influence extends beyond emergency response, noting that he has spent decades mentoring younger firefighters and helping train new volunteers.
“His quiet leadership shaped generations of firefighters and strengthened the department in ways that can’t be measured,” Davis said.
Boulton deflected the praise when he spoke, instead crediting his fellow firefighters. “I thank all the people who put in the hard work and made this happen,” he said. “And especially my Fire Department. They’ve had my back for 60 years, and they’ll continue to have my back until I’m in the grave.”
Davis shared a story highlighting Boulton’s instinct for service. Once, while working in his backyard, he smelled smoke coming from a nearby home, followed the scent and extinguished a small fire with a garden hose before emergency crews were even called.
“Uncle Al’s legacy lives on in the members he trained, the department he helped build and the community he so faithfully served,” Davis said.
A celebration of everyday service
The event also highlighted the mission of Kiwanis, an international service organization with more than 450,000 members worldwide. According to Davis, Kiwanis members collectively contribute more than 7.3 million hours of volunteer service each year.
The Everyday Hero program also supports the New York District’s Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center initiative, which provides funding and resources for specialized pediatric trauma care and injury-prevention programs at hospitals including Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.
The awards, Davis explained, recognize people who serve their communities consistently and without expectation of recognition. “The Everyday Hero Award is not about a grand gesture or a single moment in the spotlight,” she said. “It’s about being present day after day, year after year, with commitment and dedication to others. ”
Though Koenig and Boulton serve in different ways, Davis said they share a common commitment to community.
“One through knowledge, literature and connection, and the other through courage, protection and preparedness,” she said. “Both have given their time, their talents and their hearts to this village.”
The Kiwanis Club plans to make the Everyday Hero Celebration an annual event, to recognize residents whose everyday actions strengthen the Island Park community.
“Heroism doesn’t always wear a uniform or stand behind a podium,” Davis said. “Often it looks like consistency, leadership, pride of work and caring for others. So we celebrate them, we thank them and we are grateful for these two wonderful award recipients.”
