Celebrating Families Volunteering Together
Deserving Volunteers Recognized with the 2005 National Family Volunteer Award

By Gwen Haynes

At the heart of every program, initiative and undertaking of service across this nation is the most praiseworthy of all job titles — volunteer. It is with great pleasure and honor that the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network congratulate the winners of the 2005 National Family Volunteer Award for their unwavering commitment to join together and serve others:

The Barta Family (Family) Alexis (age 19), Romi (age 17), Marni (age 14), and Berni (age 13), turned the mundane task of “spring cleaning” into a giving enterprise entitled “Kid Flicks.” After uncovering videos that they no longer watched, the sisters remembered a friend who, during her time in the hospital for treatment for leukemia, spent many hours watching movies to help distract her and pass the time. When the hospital staff enthusiastically told them that movies are the first thing kids ask for, the sisters started collection drives for videos and DVDS to donate to the pediatric departments of hospitals. To date, the sisters have donated 3,600 new and used videos and DVDs to 36 different hospitals throughout the Western United States.
Cell Phones for Soldiers (Organization) An organization whose founder was 12 years old when he decided to help thousands of soldiers stay in touch with loved ones. In 2004, after hearing about a $7,000 cell phone bill of a local solider, Robbie the youngest of the Bergquist family decided to not only donate his own money, but to take the lead along with his sisters Brittany (age 13) and Courtney (age 18) to start a venture that collects used cell phones, recycles them for cash and use the proceeds to purchase calling cards for troops stationed overseas. One year later the project, Cell Phones for Soldiers, has become a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with more than 4,000 drop off sites across America. This charity has raised more than $500,000 to purchase and donate 100,000 prepaid phone cards to more than 16,000 soldiers.
Tucson Electric Power Company (Company) A President and CEO who encourages employees to spend more time with their families and help others simultaneously. Tucson Electric Power (TEP) supports their employees and their spouses and children to get involved in community service. TEP's Community Action Team, known as “CAT,” serves non- profit organizations throughout the Tucson area, as well as eastern Arizona. In 2004, 1,230 TEP employees and retirees, including 242 families, volunteered more than 26,000 hours of their own time to benefit 500 community and social service organizations.

The National Family Volunteer Award recognizes families, corporations and businesses, nonprofit and government organizations, and volunteer centers for outstanding family volunteering activities performed during the previous year, which may include but are not limited to National Family Volunteer Day activities. For more information on criteria, judging and/or other awards, please e-mail Awards@PointsofLight.org.

Get Involved
National Family Volunteer Day, November 19, 2005, is just around the corner. National Family Volunteer Day is a time to call families across America to work together in volunteer service to strengthen their families, communities, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. The theme is “Time Together — Time to Act.” If you are interested in participating, you can learn more.