ITHACA, N.Y. -- Good deeds do get noticed. For exemplary enthusiasm in volunteering throughout the community, the staff of Cornell University's Organizational Development Services (ODS) will receive the 2003 Community Service Award from the Cornell Business and Technology Park.

The ODS group will receive a plaque July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pond Pavilion on Thornwood Drive. In addition to the plaque, $1,000 each will be donated in the department's honor to the Community Dispute Resolution Center and to the Women's Opportunity Center. The ODS is part of Cornell's Office of Human Resources.

To be eligible for the award, a company or organization must be located in the business park and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. Past winners have included Autodesk, Advion, CBORD, Bovis Lendlease, Claritas and Viral Therapeutics. ODS is the first Cornell unit to win the award, says award presenter John Majeroni, director of Cornell Real Estate.

The volunteer activities of the ODS group help many members of the local community: Chet Warzynski and Linda Gasser, ODS director and assistant director, respectively, volunteer for the American Red Cross. Executive Assistant Laurel Parker and receptionist Brandi Farnham recruit volunteers to "adopt" needy children and single-parent families each holiday season, providing money, gifts, food, clothing and toys. JoAnn Shepherd, the ODS Career Development Services manager, organizes the Transition Conference for the American Association of University Women, and she conducts job-search workshops for the Women's Opportunity Center. Nancy Leonard, human resources assistant, is a team captain in the American Cancer Society's Tioga County Relay for Life, and she volunteers for the American Legion Auxiliary.

Following the award ceremony, the Cornell Business and Technology Park presents its annual community concert at 6:30 p.m. This year's concert features The Destination, a rhythm-and-blues band, and is free and open to the public.