County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference.

All throughout 2015 and 2016, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors and everyday passion.

This month we honor Todd Slingerland, a Guilderland resident who sponsors an annual Smile Bus trip to Radio City Music Hall for local people who have had a difficult year because of illness, financial hardship, bereavement or other challenges. On the bus, each person is pampered and given good while singing songs and playing games. The people on the bus get a unique opportunity to see NYC at Christmastime, including seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and touring Rockefeller Plaza.

According to Slingerland's nominator, "Todd makes sure everyone has a day full of memories to last a lifetime. The Smile Bus has touched hundreds of Capital Region people over the years. It is truly Todd's favorite day of the year."

Slingerland has continued this wonderful program for more than five years.

Learn more about Slingerlands through an interview we did with him in the video below, and click here to see how you can nominate a hero next month, when we’re honoring a local police officer.

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