People from Patch towns across Nassau County made a big difference in 2011. The main goal of these people is to help others around them in some way, shape or form. In no specific order, here the most influential people of 2011.

1. John Theissen: Theissen, a Seaford resident, is the founder of the John Theissen Children's Foundation (JTCF). The JTFC's fun center is a place that brings joy to thousands of sick children each year. It features an assortment of joyous activities for children battling serious illnesses.

Theissen's annual toy drive started in 1992 when he collected 800 toys. This year, Theissen delivered approximately 63,000 toys to children in local hospitals.

2.  Lindsay Gruntorad: Six years ago, Gruntorad, then a Division Avenue High School student, volunteered at a food drive in Harlem. While there, she noticed that the people receiving food were in dire need of coats. It affected her to the point that she pestered family members and friends to donate coats. A year later, she returned with 50.

Last year Gruntorad collected 160 coats and this year she donated even more.

3. Tom O'Connor: O'Connor started his trips to the Gulf Coast to help Katrina victims in 2005. He recently completed his ninth trip in December of 2011 where he distributed toys to children in Mississippi and Alabama for the Christmas season.

The Bellmore resident is one of the leading volunteers in the Gulf Coast Childrens Foundation, which has provided gifts for more than 50,000 children since its inception in 2005.

4. Andrew Alderman: Alderman, a resident of East Meadow, has made volunteering a part of his routine. From making bras for breast cancer at Adelphi University to traveling to Israel to teach natives how to play lacrosse, Alderman continues to give back to the community.

Earlier this year, Alderman participated in the Walk for Lupus at Eisenhower Park. Two years ago, Alderman was able to raise $3,885 for Lupus research, and last year, he raised an additional $2,160.

5. Rosalie Norton: Norton is the president of the West Hempstead Community Support and Civic Association and a board member of several local groups. She played an instrumental role in bringing about the demolition of the crime-ridden Courtesy Hotel.

The West Hempstead resident has also helped with other beautification projects in the community. She has kept pressure on Nassau County to complete the overhaul of Halls Pond and has helped organize a campaign to try and secure a piece of 9/11 steel for West Hempstead.