NORWICH – The Chenango County Bar Association organized the 53rd National Law Day celebration Friday and honored court attendant Cora Jeffrey with the 2011 Liberty Bell Award.

Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry, retired Supreme Court Justice Irad S. Ingraham and acting Supreme Court Justice W. Howard Sullivan, presided over this year’s event at the courthouse.

Justice Garry explained the annual Liberty Bell Award recognizes distinguished contributions to the community by non-lawyers who have fostered public understanding of the importance of law in our community.

Sullivan said there was a unanamous response from officials as they considered offering the award to Jeffrey. “And that response was, ‘she’s perfect.’ Cora’s contributions, like many others, weren’t ones to grab the front page headlines. Her contributions were quiet and consistant and have not gone unnoticed,” he said.

Jeffrey worked at Norwich Pharmecuaticals for 18 years and has been a county court attendant for more than 15. Sullivan also said Jeffrey had worked at the Syracuse Hopsital, the Pink Door and was still an active member of the North Norwich United Methodist Church.

The judge said Jeffrey was active in the community, participating in routine visits at area nursing homes, charity food drives and deliveries. He said she’s also known for collecting flowers from her garden and sharing them with others.