Greenfield Tri-County Neighborhood Watch-
The Greenfield Tri-County Neighborhood Watch serves to assist law enforcement and the citizens of the community in the reporting of criminal activities and unsafe activities. Because the community is unable to financially support the law enforcement officers needed, the volunteers of the neighborhood watch fill the need to have more eyes and ears watching for crime, so that law enforcement can make the best with the resources they posses.
The Greenfield Tri-County Neighborhood Watch is a group of volunteers who conduct patrol around the city in order to observe and report crime and act as a deterrent to those who will stop their illegal activities when they know they are being watched. Watch members give of their time, skills, and financial resources to keep this Watch alive. Members routinely go out in all types of weather and hours of the day in order to reclaim their city for the honest citizens of the community. It is a common sight to see members of this Watch walk for five or six miles, across the whole city in order to ensure its safety.
The increased pressure that has been put on the criminal element has improved the community around Greenfield. When criminals cannot operate as freely as they desire, that benefits everyone. Every crime that is stopped makes a difference in some life. Greenfield is safer as a result of the Watch. That is why the volunteers in the Greenfield Tri-County Neighborhood Watch are Daily Points of Light.
STEPHANIE VOSS
Stephanie Voss volunteers in the marketing department at the Minnesota Children's Museum, where the goal is to spark children's learning through play.
Stephanie works on graphic designs for the museum. If the museum did not use bright colors, and maintain palpable signs and slogans, then it would not effectively create an atmosphere to fulfill its mission. Stephanie addresses these issues by using shapes and colors in fun ways. She does a wide range of graphic design tasks, including creating tag lines, animations, and general layouts for exhibits.
Stephanie has also made major improvements to the museum's intranet. She made it much more user-friendly, and for this reason,there was a 50 percent increase in usage. Stephanie redesigned the e-newsletter, which has also positively impacted the communication for the museum. The subtle touches that Stephanie makes on the museum's website and signs adds to its reputation as a fun, friendly place.
Beyond her natural gift and technical, college training in graphic design, Stephanie is unique because she has been assisting the marketing manager for longer than any other volunteer in the department. She is an especially creative and dedicated volunteer, which is a rare combination. Finally, Stephanie is special due to her modesty. Overall, her creativity, dedication, and modesty should be rewarded. For this, Stephanie is a Daily Point of Light.
First Robotics Competition Team 340
The First Robotics Competition Team 340 worked to raise money to purchase a new bed for ill and injured children in their community’s local hospital. The team held a fundraiser called “jug wars” and collected $1,700 dollars in milk jugs over a three day period.
Money collected went to Golisano Children’s Hospital to purchase a “Bear Bed,” which is a special transport wheelchair bed that nurses and parents can use to take the hospitalized children for a ride out in the hall or to the playroom. It is designed to fit through doorways and go right next to the child’s bed. The ill and injured children need stimulation and change of environment. The bed allows them to interact with other children and the parents can find support in each other. It gets them back into a more “normal” environment to play.
Along with the beds, the team also donated Duplos, Legos and books to the hospital. The team has won awards for providing more than 2,000 hours of community service and the team had 19 students receive the Presidents Volunteer Service award in 2009. All of the fundraisers, community service and demonstrations are planned and executed by the students who are mentored by teachers and parents. Not only does their service help the community, it also makes the fifth and sixth graders realize their potential to make a difference.
