Elizabeth Sherwood

Elizabeth “Betsy” Sherwood is a fierce and relentless advocate for children. As president of the nonprofit organization, Focus on the Children, Ms. Sherwood gives to her community every day. Her dedication goes beyond the organization’s mission – to serve the needs of Livingston County children that cannot be met by any other agency or program.

Merl Galusha, Jones Chemicals’ CEO, pastor for the United Presbyterian Church and Ms. Sherwood’s father, established Focus on the Children in 1993. Ms. Sherwood helped in selecting the board and writing the mission statement and constitution, working tirelessly to grow this non-profit, which serves all of Livingston County. In addition to day-to-day assistance for children in need, the school supplies from the back-to-school program and the gifts provided by the Christmas program make a huge difference for hundreds of families.

Ms. Sherwood is kind and caring in her delivery of comfort to those in difficult situations. When five graduates of Caledonia-Mumford High School were involved in a 2013 car crash that killed three, Ms. Sherwood jumped into action. She organized memorials and met with local government about safety measures that were initiated by Senator Patrick Gallivan and the New York State Department of Transportation after the accident to improve the intersection.

A graduate of Allendale Columbia High School, Ms. Sherwood attended Cazenovia College and has spent her entire adult life helping others. She was instrumental in starting the Parent Teacher Association chapter in Caledonia-Mumford Central School District, and for several years, she and her husband, Tom, organized an annual AAU basketball tournament at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. Ms. Sherwood has also served as a deacon at United Presbyterian Stone Church in Caledonia.

A lifelong Caledonian, Ms. Sherwood is the daughter of Marj and the late Robert B. Jones. She and her husband, Tom, have six grown children and numerous grandchildren. Her daughters Sarah, Erin and Regan, continue to help with Focus on the Children.

Ms. Sherwood is tenacious in a quiet way, and is well on the path to accomplishing great things – all with much love and laughter.