Millard Fillmore Elementary School’s fifth-grade teacher Jim Van Arsdale has been recognized as the first recipient of the Cheryl H. Potter Volunteer Service Award, presented by the United Way of Cayuga County. 

This newly established award acknowledges exemplary dedication to volunteerism and was created in honor of Cheryl H. Potter, a beloved figure in the community known for her commitment to service.

Van Arsdale, a lifelong advocate for music education and youth development, received the award in recognition of his work with Perform 4 Purpose (P4P), a local organization dedicated to empowering young people through music. Perform 4 Purpose provides local youth with opportunities to learn, create, and perform music, fostering a positive social environment where students grow as musicians, friends, and mentors. 

Through its emphasis on community service, P4P encourages participants to use music as a tool to give back, organizing live performances to benefit local charities.

“I’m grateful and honored to be the first to receive this award,” Van Arsdale shared. “It’s not just me, though. We have a big team with Perform 4 Purpose. I hope we are a great example of the kind of impact an organization can have in the community.”

Van Arsdale’s love for music has been a lifelong passion, one he is devoted to passing on to younger generations. 

“I can’t imagine life without music,” he said. “It’s a constant companion. It was my personal identity when I was young, and it gave me a lot of confidence. We are all about building good people and good citizens, and music is our tool to do that.”

For more information about Perform 4 Purpose, visit Perform4Purpose.org.