FEDERATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS ANNOUNCES ITS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES FOR 2025!
At our Human Service Awards luncheon on Friday, October 31st at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, we will be honoring three extraordinary individuals, who did much to
improve the quality of life for others throughout their respective careers. Our first two honorees are Gary Mervis and Wendy Bleier-Mervis for their decades of dedicated work at
Camp Good Days and Special Times, as well as their extensive resumes of service to numerous other local community organizations. Our third honoree is Jack Rosati. Jack was the
first president of the Federation of Social Workers and worked as the Director of the Children’s Center for twenty years. He has also served on many community boards, most of which
supported children. Jack has had an outstanding career as a basketball coach at both the high school and college levels as well.
Gary Mervis
Gary Mervis is the Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times, established in 1979 following the diagnosis of his daughter, Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis, with a malignant brain tumor at the age of nine. For the past 46 years, he has worked to provide free programs and services for children, families, and adults impacted by cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other life challenges. Through his leadership, Camp Good Days has grown from a summer program into a year-round organization offering camping programs, support groups, and community initiatives that have served over 56,000 campers from 22 states and 36 foreign countries. His vision and dedication have inspired volunteers, donors, and partners to join together in bringing hope and joy to those facing life's most difficult challenges. As only the fourth program of its kind in the United States at its founding in 1979, Mr. Mervis has gone on to inspire and assist with the creation of similar programs across the country and around the world. In recognition of his work with Camp Good Days, he has most recently received the Rochester Business Journal's Icon Award in 2019 and the Christie Simonetti Award at the 2025 Heroes Ball. After working for 20 years for the New York State Assembly, Mr. Mervis continues to serve the community as Chairman of the Project Exile Advisory Board, a nationally recognized violence-reduction initiative he has led for over the past 25 years. His leadership has earned him national recognition, including the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the New York State Senate Liberty Medal. Locally, his contributions have been honored most recently through the creation of the Gary Mervis Youth Team Achievement Award and presentation of the Key to Monroe County, both by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. In addition to his public leadership, Mr. Mervis dedicated 29 years as an assistant football coach at St. John Fisher University and was inducted into the St. John Fisher University Athletics Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with induction into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame and awarded the SUNY Brockport Hall of Heritage. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from SUNY Brockport and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from St. John Fisher University. Mr. Mervis resides in Pittsford with his wife, Wendy, and together they continue to inspire and lead the mission of Camp Good Days.
Wendy Bleier-Mervis
Wendy Bleier-Mervis has devoted her life to education, leadership, and service, making an indelible impact on countless children, families, and communities. Her journey with Camp Good Days began more than 35 years ago, and for the past 15 years, she has served as Executive Director, where her vision and dedication have guided the organization’s growth and success. She was instrumental in the creation and development of the Women’s Oncology Program, now one of the fastest-growing initiatives at Camp Good Days, offering support and community for women facing cancer. Before her tenure at Camp Good Days, Ms. Bleier-Mervis built a distinguished career in education. A graduate of Colgate University and SUNY Brockport, she spent eleven years teaching physical education in Rush-Henrietta High School. She also coached girls’ basketball and softball at Rush-Henrietta and Irondequoit High Schools, earning recognition as Monroe County Varsity Softball Coach of the Year in 1998. Beyond the classroom, she advised student leadership programs, championed physical education, and held memberships in statewide and national professional associations dedicated to youth development and wellness. A standout high school athlete herself, she was named Section V Female Athlete of the Year by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1984 and was later inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Ms. Bleier-Mervis has also lent her leadership to the broader community. She has served as Commissioner for the Teddi “T” Sports Fest, as a member of the Colgate University Athletic Council, and as chair of the Rochester Monroe County Youth Bureau Board. She is an active member of the American Camp Association, the Monroe County Council of Agency Executives, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Finger Lakes Museum. A lifelong advocate for education, wellness, and the community, Ms. Bleier-Mervis has consistently dedicated her talents to creating opportunities for growth, healing, and joy. She resides in Pittsford with her husband, Gary, and together they continue to inspire and lead the mission of Camp Good Day
Jack Rosati
Jack Rosati was the very first President of the Federation of Social Workers, serving from 1971 to 1975. He worked for over 30 years at the Monroe County Children’s Center, serving as Director for his last 20 years there. Mr. Rosati has had a long and successful career coaching basketball locally, at both the high school and college levels. Additionally, Jack has served on numerous associations and advisory boards, which were connected to children’s services. His life long commitment of service and support, primarily with our community’s children, make him a very deserving Life Time Achievement Award honoree.
Gary Mervis
Gary Mervis is the Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times, established in 1979 following the diagnosis of his daughter, Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis, with a malignant brain tumor at the age of nine. For the past 46 years, he has worked to provide free programs and services for children, families, and adults impacted by cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other life challenges. Through his leadership, Camp Good Days has grown from a summer program into a year-round organization offering camping programs, support groups, and community initiatives that have served over 56,000 campers from 22 states and 36 foreign countries. His vision and dedication have inspired volunteers, donors, and partners to join together in bringing hope and joy to those facing life's most difficult challenges. As only the fourth program of its kind in the United States at its founding in 1979, Mr. Mervis has gone on to inspire and assist with the creation of similar programs across the country and around the world. In recognition of his work with Camp Good Days, he has most recently received the Rochester Business Journal's Icon Award in 2019 and the Christie Simonetti Award at the 2025 Heroes Ball. After working for 20 years for the New York State Assembly, Mr. Mervis continues to serve the community as Chairman of the Project Exile Advisory Board, a nationally recognized violence-reduction initiative he has led for over the past 25 years. His leadership has earned him national recognition, including the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the New York State Senate Liberty Medal. Locally, his contributions have been honored most recently through the creation of the Gary Mervis Youth Team Achievement Award and presentation of the Key to Monroe County, both by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. In addition to his public leadership, Mr. Mervis dedicated 29 years as an assistant football coach at St. John Fisher University and was inducted into the St. John Fisher University Athletics Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with induction into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame and awarded the SUNY Brockport Hall of Heritage. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from SUNY Brockport and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from St. John Fisher University. Mr. Mervis resides in Pittsford with his wife, Wendy, and together they continue to inspire and lead the mission of Camp Good Days.
Wendy Bleier-Mervis
Wendy Bleier-Mervis has devoted her life to education, leadership, and service, making an indelible impact on countless children, families, and communities. Her journey with Camp Good Days began more than 35 years ago, and for the past 15 years, she has served as Executive Director, where her vision and dedication have guided the organization’s growth and success. She was instrumental in the creation and development of the Women’s Oncology Program, now one of the fastest-growing initiatives at Camp Good Days, offering support and community for women facing cancer. Before her tenure at Camp Good Days, Ms. Bleier-Mervis built a distinguished career in education. A graduate of Colgate University and SUNY Brockport, she spent eleven years teaching physical education in Rush-Henrietta High School. She also coached girls’ basketball and softball at Rush-Henrietta and Irondequoit High Schools, earning recognition as Monroe County Varsity Softball Coach of the Year in 1998. Beyond the classroom, she advised student leadership programs, championed physical education, and held memberships in statewide and national professional associations dedicated to youth development and wellness. A standout high school athlete herself, she was named Section V Female Athlete of the Year by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1984 and was later inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Ms. Bleier-Mervis has also lent her leadership to the broader community. She has served as Commissioner for the Teddi “T” Sports Fest, as a member of the Colgate University Athletic Council, and as chair of the Rochester Monroe County Youth Bureau Board. She is an active member of the American Camp Association, the Monroe County Council of Agency Executives, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Finger Lakes Museum. A lifelong advocate for education, wellness, and the community, Ms. Bleier-Mervis has consistently dedicated her talents to creating opportunities for growth, healing, and joy. She resides in Pittsford with her husband, Gary, and together they continue to inspire and lead the mission of Camp Good Day
Jack Rosati
Jack Rosati was the very first President of the Federation of Social Workers, serving from 1971 to 1975. He worked for over 30 years at the Monroe County Children’s Center, serving as Director for his last 20 years there. Mr. Rosati has had a long and successful career coaching basketball locally, at both the high school and college levels. Additionally, Jack has served on numerous associations and advisory boards, which were connected to children’s services. His life long commitment of service and support, primarily with our community’s children, make him a very deserving Life Time Achievement Award honoree.
