Renny Malach

Renny, beginning his “career” with Missoula Little League in 1971, has been a mainstay ever since. One of the pioneer developers for the Westside Little League, he has served in nearly every position necessary to assure the success of the League. He has been president, business manager, equipment manager, field maintenance supervisor, team manager and coach, umpire, and concession worker. He was also chairman of the building committee for the baseball/softball fields that are now known as the Renny Malach Complex located on Spurgin Road.

Whatever the need, Renny is always there for the betterment of Missoula’s youngsters. In addition to Little League, Renny was active in other programs over the years, participating as an official for football and basketball, as well as an umpire for legion baseball games. As president of the Hawthorne school PTA, he led reconstruction and landscaping work at the school.

Renny has remained a steadfast supporter of Little League for nearly thirty-five years. Currently in his sixth year as the Administrator for District 2 Montana, which covers all of western Montana, which includes 16 Little Leagues, Renny is responsible to assure that the leagues are kept informed of all pertinent information from Little League Baseball, and that each one files the necessary forms during the season.

In 2004, Renny was the chairman for the 2004 Division I conference which was held in Missoula in October. Over 100 league officials and volunteers from 6 states were treated to a weekend of great Montana hospitality while also attending workshops put on by officials from Little League Headquarters in both Williamsport, Pennsylvania and San Bernardino, CA. Because of Renny’s leadership, everyone was thoroughly impressed by what western Montana had to offer.

This year, Renny was faced with a major problem. The Western Regional Senior Girls Softball Tournament was scheduled to be held in Great Falls the first week in August. Due to several unforeseen problems, Little League Baseball requested that the tournament be moved elsewhere in Montana. Although this does not seem like a problem, the request was made only 10 days prior to the start of the tournament.

After discussing the problem with several of Missoula’s presidents, all of whom offered to help, Renny made the decision to relocate the tournament to our city. During the next 10 days, Renny made the decision to relocate the tournament to our city. During the next 10 days, Renny went to work to remake the baseball fields at the Renny Malach Complex into fields to accommodate softball. The mounds used for the baseball program were removed, the pitching mound reconfigured, and the base-paths all repaired to conduct a tournament of this significance as the winner would advance to the Senior Girls Softball World Series in Delaware. As we were expecting ten teams to come, it was necessary to prepare two fields. When things finally settled, we only had seven teams which made it easier because we only had to use one field.

In addition to doing the fields, Renny had to keep in contact with the incoming team managers to answer questions, completely redo the tournament schedule several times, set up rooms for meetings, as well as making sure other teams from District 2 Montana that were traveling out of state were taken care of, logistically and financially.

Throughout those 10 days, Renny put in 12-14 hour days to assure that the teams went away from Montana with good memories. He would be at the fields by 6 am and wrap up his evening around 8 pm after everything got put away and the field was prepped for the next morning. After getting home, he would be on the phone to other league’s presidents or to the Western Region Headquarters in San Bernardino to discuss any problems or to give them updates of scores of the day’s games. He also kept in daily contact with Missoula’s league presidents to see if they needed help with their part of the tournament.

Renny has provided superior leadership to all of the Presidents of District 2 and has earned our continued admiration and respect.

Lois Bachmeier

Lois Bachmeier is a Summit Senior Companion and has been serving in this capacity for a little over 3 years. She is very loyal and committed in her role as a Senior Companion; and when one of Bachmeier’s matches has moved on, she immediately asks if there is anyone new in mind for her.

Bachmeier loves being with people, and people enjoy her genuine conversations and much needed assistance. Bachmeier has provided Senior Companion services to 13 elders with disabilities in Missoula. She is extremely responsible, flexible to the person’s needs, and puts everyone at ease with her approach. When her matches talk with other staff members, they describe Bachmeier as someone they can count on.

Bachmeier helps a number of people with reading because they have lost their sight. She reads labels in the grocery store and assists them with their mail. Bachmeier was matched with an older couple that both have mobility concerns. She had known them when she was young, and she had babysat for their children. Today she assists this elderly couple with their emotional and mental transition as the moved to a small apartment. In addition to light tasks around the home, they all play cards and converse about the “good old days!” Bachmeier has mobility issues, which she does not let “get her down.”

She is a great role model to people who would tend to see the “glass half empty”, because she always fills her glass each morning. Bachmeier’s energy for life cannot help but spill into others attitude throughout the day. Bachmeier’s attitude and approach is reflected further in the transportation support she gives to the people with visual impairments who attend the monthly Visual Support and Education Group. Bachmeier adds this trip to her monthly transportation trips as yet another way to assist people to get out into the Missoula community.

Summit Senior Companions are proud of all of their volunteers and love the vitality and zest Lois Bachmeier brings to their organization. She puts herself and her needs on the back burner so she can make the needs of her elder companions a priority. Bachmeier goes above and beyond the call to service for Senior Companions by also bringing genuine concern and sincere joy each day she spends time with her matches

Nevada Power’s EVC

From the nominator:

“Nevada Power’s Employee Volunteer Council (EVC), formed in 1996, spearheads community involvement by coordinating year-round volunteer activities, supporting the employee volunteer program, and communicating information about volunteerism. This nine-member Council consists of employees from diverse backgrounds who evaluate company-wide volunteer opportunities. The Employee Volunteer program makes the connection with community organizations and works out the logistics so those employees can start to help. Our EVC serves employees who want to get involved in their communities by matching them with a specific organization that meets their interests, addressing community needs through the help of employees and their families. We support endeavors that are vital to the public’s welfare and important to community’s vitality. The program is ultimately creating change – in our communities, and the lives of our employees. The EVC members serve as dedicated volunteer staff to increase employee morale, promote team building, and build stronger relationships with the community. They prepare an annual plan to lead a network of more than 1,800 employees to promote volunteerism throughout the company. Their program unites employees throughout the company for community service, recruiting and developing volunteer teams, helping multiply volunteer opportunities available to employees. These teams provide a ready group of volunteers to be tapped for projects.”

Janine Robinson

Janine Robinson has had to make serious decisions like many adults. Her aim was to be a productive citizen and to be able to give back to her country.

Janine Robinson was diagnosed at age 21 with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Receiving this diagnosis is hard for any person; however, it seemed life shattering to a 21-year old. In addition, she was active and serving in the Army when she realized she would be living with MS. Robinson had to make another decision at this point; should she give up or could she go on.

Not only was Robinson diagnosed with MS, but shortly after, she went blind. Again, to most people this would be a tragedy and even if you were able to be strong through one diagnosis; two was going to be quite hard.

Robinson chose life and life to its fullest. Instead of giving up, she taught herself Braille and began to live life to its fullest right where she was. Six months later, her sight returned and “Blue Mountain Braille Center” was formed at her home in Oregon. She then became a Braille transcriber.

Robinson knows how it is to not have sight so she uses her time to help others without sight so they can still read. Her job as a volunteer included brailing textbooks for the Oregon School system and a blind college professor. Robinson has taken a negative and definitely turned it into a positive.

Robinson has not let the changes that have occurred in her life to stop her. She has utilized her skills with Braille and transcribes parenting books for women in need. She also spent her Christmas holiday brailing a 365-page book last year because she knew someone was going to benefit from it. In addition, Robinson has brailed cards, books, and special material for those who are sight-impaired to read.

In addition to having MS, Robinson has been diagnosed with two lung diseases and is unable to work now. In spite of living with MS as well as other numerous health problems, she spends her time to Braille for blind people. She is dedicated herself into turning negative situations into positive ones and does so every day. Robinson is determined to manage her illnesses while also serving others in need. Instead of feeling sorry for herself or asking “why me,” she is taking the time to learn new skills and utilize each day to its full potential.

Morris Judson

A volunteer group’s success usually depends on one or two key individuals. Morris Judson Jr. is such an individual. Mo, as he is known by all, is a retired mathematics high school teacher.

He had always had a heart for others and has served in various capacities in his community. In the 1970’s, he and another teacher were the first to teach computer sciences in the area. And twelve years ago when he joined the AARP Tax-Aide volunteer program in New York’s Rockland County, the impact of his involvement was immediate and equally significant.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for middle and low income taxpayers, with special attention given to those of age 60 and older. The program operates under a cooperative arrangement with the Internal Revenue Service as a part of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. Although the tax season is just three and a half months long, Mo devotes eight months of his time each year to the program and related activities.

As the district’s Technology Specialist, Mo is in charge of electronic filing. He has worked closely with IRS and with software providers since e-filing was implemented in 1985. Thanks to his efforts, 90% of approximately three thousand returns in Rockland County were filed electronically, which is by far the highest percentage in the area.

Every computer-literate Tax Aide volunteer in Rockland has been trained personally by Mo. In addition, Mo is always available to answer their questions by phone, e-mail or in person. He has also trained an elite group of volunteers to transmit the returns to IRS after they have been prepared by the volunteers.

Mo is responsible for receiving, maintaining, distributing, and storing the computers loaned by IRS for the use of volunteers who prepare electronic returns. In addition, he receives and distributes IRS printers for use at each volunteer site and provides printer cartridges, paper and other necessary supplies.

His volunteer activities extend well beyond his e-filing responsibilities. Each year, he helps train the volunteers in both federal and state income tax law and regulations. During the tax season, he prepares returns himself and serves as the Site Supervisor at three sites. Mo reviews each return as a quality review process for accuracy, and to ensure that the clients benefit from every tax deduction and credit for which they are eligible. Finally, in addition to all of that, he transmits the returns prepared at this sites and performs all or the required follow-up activities that are too numerous to mention. In other words , for a volunteer serving as Site Coordinator and County Technology Specialist, e-filing is a whole lot more than just pressing a button!

Mo’s energy and enthusiasm are truly amazing. Despite the many demands of his responsibilities as a super-volunteer, he remains a kind and considerate person. His dedication, demeanor and innate desire to help others are much appreciated by the taxpayers who come to him for help, and by the volunteers who work with him.

Sarah Varadian

Sarah Rose Varadian has grown into the gifted and giving young woman she is today, committed to caring, and a servant to the needs of disadvantaged individuals in the community and beyond. Her life of service touches people at all levels.

Gregory Sullivan, Inspector General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts stated, “In my sixteen years as the Massachusetts House of Representatives delegate for the Twelfth District – Norfolk, and four years as the Inspector General of the State of Massachusetts, I have rarely seen so young an individual as passionate as Sarah in giving her time to the needs of those less fortunate.”

In a televised speech following the events of September 11, 2001, President Bush asked each child in America to send $1 to his fund for Afghan Children. Sarah, all of thirteen years old at the time, turned to her parents and said, “A dollar is not enough from a teenager!” She organized a Children’s Fair in her front yard and, with help from friends, raised over eight hundred dollars for the fund! This led to an ongoing interest in the plight of Afghan Children, especially the girls who, under the Taliban, were being denied an education.

Perhaps because she attends an all girls’ school, where the students are stretched and encouraged to fulfill their highest potential, this struck a chord with Sarah. She is now best known for raising thousands of dollars throughout her high school years through her original independent fundraising project, “Wee Care Bears.” Sarah sews miniature school uniforms to dress teddy bears for sale. She was able to sponsor the opening of two girls’ schools in Afghanistan through CARE, International, to provide Christmas gifts for an entire orphanage in Gumri, Armenia through the Armenian Relief Society, and to provide diagnostic testing for malaria and typhoid through Science With a Mission, Inc, for a large village in Africa, saving many lives. Furthermore, she is currently training younger students to make these bears so that the “Wee Care Bears” initiative becomes a legacy that will continue at her school even after she graduates.

Sarah recognized and identified with a very real need, that of education for girls, and came up with an incredibly creative response. Because of her efforts and ongoing support, the future is brighter for many Afghan girls and, through them, for their communities. In addition, her example and leadership have served to inspire younger classmates to adopt her vision of community as a global concept. This is truly an example of connecting young women across the globe, for the betterment of all.

For her charitable work, Sarah has received citations from two different Massachusetts Governors (one from Governor Jane Swift and two from Governor Mitt Romney) as well as a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives “in recognition of creative, compassionate and innovative fundraising for the “President’s Fund for Afghan Children”.

Sarah has been recognized as a leader among her peers through awards such as the 2004 Ten Outstanding Norwood Youth (TONY) Award “for continually going above and beyond in terms of service to the community.” She was one of the only high school sophomores to be selected in the history of the award, traditionally awarded to high school juniors and seniors. Statewide, Sarah was awarded the 2005 Sherman H. Starr Human Relations Award presented to ten students in Massachusetts who “exemplified in daily living a steadfast adherence to American ideals and the betterment of human relations.”

An active member and leader of her church youth group, Sarah has participated in mission trips to the Appalachian Mountains, and to a Native American reservation. At Ursuline Academy, Sarah has been an honor student throughout her high school career and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a leader within the school, tutoring younger students in a most “confident, capable and reliable way” according to the school officials. Sarah has been captain of Ursuline junior varsity and varsity softball teams, and assistant coach for the junior varsity basketball team. She has now graduated from Ursuline Academy and will be attending Stonehill College in Easton, MA in the fall.

Talia Leman

In September of 2005, while watching cars whiz by a lemonade stand set up to help hurricane survivors after Katrina hit, Talia Leman decided there had to be a better way for children to help. With Halloween just around the corner, Talia decided to focus her hurricane relief efforts in that direction when everyone is in a giving mood.

“Why not ask children EVERYWHERE to ask for a quarter instead of candy? ” She did and Talia called her campaign Trick or Treat for the Levee Catastrophe (TLC). Her goal was one million dollars, and she took her message to children, corporations, government officials and the media. She soon saw the project grow.

Talia met with Hy-Vee, a privately owned Midwest grocery chain, who responded by printing her message on 8.5 million trick-or-treat bags and four million print ads for distribution to all their 221 stores in seven states. At her beckoning, government officials across the nation began to support her also. Local, national and international media organizations began to help her spread the word about TLC. Over time, her project grew into a national rally and tally for all children’s hurricane relief efforts.

Not only did this effort provide meaningful relief to hurricane survivors, it also provided meaningful and empowering opportunities for children to help make a difference in a hands-on and rewarding way. After having witnessed 9-11, the tsunami and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, children need to know that they can be a force for good in a world where disaster is no stranger. Talia established that awareness in a profound way.

The lasting solutions for the hurricane survivors are developed by the charitable relief organizations. The lasting solutions for the children who raised funds are found through the knowledge that when they work together, they can make a significant difference. Through Talia’s project, 4,000 schools unified their efforts. They reported 5.2 million dollars in just three months, during a nationwide media conference call.

UNICEF, the United Nation’s Children’s Emergency Fund, having been aware of Talia’s work through the media, named her their first National Youth Ambassador. Through UNICEF, Talia continues her hurricane relief efforts, and her efforts to empower children to make a difference. In November of 2005, Talia went to Houston, Texas to meet with hurricane survivors on behalf of UNICEF, and learn about their condition and needs. She keeps an on-line diary for UNICEF about her experiences, hoping to educate and inspire readers about how they can offer valuable support.

She also sits on the Board of an Iowa nonprofit organization called RandomKid that empowers children nationwide to solve real-world problems. This organization, born out of TLC, works to help children to help others in meaningful ways, beyond hurricane relief. Recently, Talia designed a modular charm bracelet with flags on it of nations in turmoil, and in between she put peace and harmony signs. She calls it a “Peace Bracelet” and proceeds from sales will go to help children caught in disaster zones.

Mary Bates

Mary Bates has made the Kaiserslautern Military Community a better place to live through her selfless service and willingness to provide a helping hand. Despite her spouse’s frequent TDY’s and raising an active family, she still makes the time to give back to the community.

She is the vice president to a local association. She dedicates over 200 hours per month volunteering and is still able to provide her family a hot meal every night. She has exhausted over 40 hours repainting, reorganizing and cleaning Kaiserslautern’s headquarters building. The building is now transformed in a “community” building for organization and military groups to utilize at no charge. Bates is also responsible for hiring and managing six paid employees, as a key member of an executive panel. She also mediates between employees, volunteers, and board members; she meets these issues with untiring energy and unfailing wisdom.

Bates also restructured the organization’s business plan to incorporate paid, part-time staffing improving customer service and continuity in all the stores. She rewrote the Stand Operating Procedures and Consignment Policies that opened the doors to allow I.D. cardholders from remote posts the ability to consign at their boutique. Her fresh and innovative ideas for displaying merchandise have increased the store’s revenue by 20% over last year.

Bates single-handedly hosted a welcome barbecue for the Kaiserslautern American Middle School incoming students and parents. She is a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association fundraising team generating $200 a month in sales. Bates organized a parent schedule to scan books and learning aids into an electronic system that reads back to learning impaired students.

Bates also volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America. They know her as an avid volunteer and fundraising chair. Whether its bake sales, car washes, providing transportation or issuing their much-deserved badges, she does it all.

Bates’ character is one that always displays a high spirit of cooperation, willingness, and attentiveness to helping people. In addition to her energetic dedication to the association, she steps in for any soldier, airman or family member who is TDY, out of town, or working late. She is frequently seen walking many dogs throughout the neighborhood—although, she does not own any of them. Her caring disposition does not stop with the canines, she is also quick to step in for parents who might need help due to deployments or work schedules.

Bates is a great source of information and a master at introducing newcomers to the KMC. She is frequently credited for matching families with houses, households with house cleaners, shoppers with markets, and couples with restaurants. Bates also delivers flowers or preparing meals for those who have been hospitalized or ill are common actions for this person.

The fruits of her numerous volunteer hours have helped soldiers, airmen and family members. She has proved to be outstanding among her contemporaries with her dedication to this community. Thorough, reliable, trustworthy and quietly capable, she accomplishes more good deeds than most people even have time to think about. Kindness is second nature for this individual.

Amol Narang

During Amol’s freshman year at Yale, his roommate Richard approached him with the idea of starting an organ donation awareness organization. Richard had experienced the unfortunate reality of the organ crisis in America as his aunt had passed away after years of waiting on the national transplant waiting list. As Amol learned more about organ donation, he realized the gravity of the shortage. Annually, approximately 6,000 patients with organ failure expire from lack of available organs, and only 35-50% of candidates’ families consent to donation, serving as the most common reason that possible transplants fail to materialize. What really struck Amol were studies that over 70% of Americans support organ donation when fully educated about the donation process. Realizing that this discrepancy largely results from a natural, yet unfortunate, disinclination towards discussing organ donation, Amol and Richard soon formed a clear mission: to educate the community about organ donation and to register those wishing to be donors. During the spring of 2004, Students for Organ Donation (SOD) was born.

SOD held its first ever “Donate Life Week,” at Yale in April of 2004. The goal of the on-campus registration drive was to educate the Yale community about organ donation, distribute donor cards to those wishing to be donors, and notify their families of their decision by sending postcards home. The event proved vastly successful as SOD signed up over 1,100 students as donors. “Donate Life Week” is now an annual event that represents the culmination of educational drives and speaker series throughout the year.

While SOD at Yale has grown to over 50 members, more impressive has been the 70 chapters at colleges and high schools across the country with a committee based at Yale that oversees their operation. Total membership now exceeds over 1,000 students. In addition to campus drives, SOD has also expanded its educational campaigns to raise awareness in local communities. Working with organ procurement organizations and religious networks, SOD has shown much success in disposing of preconceived notions concerning an organ donation.

SOD is an inspiring example of how a coordinated effort among students, utilizing only limited school funding, can result in significant returns. SOD has grown to become one of the largest student run volunteer organizations, and it will only continue to expand in the future. Indeed, when SOD becomes officially incorporated in the State of Connecticut this spring, Amol will be serving as one of four Directors on the national Board, and he is committed to maintaining an advisory position after graduation. SOD has been a driving force for creating a pervasive social conscience among students concerning an issue that affects a vast number of people, and Amol’s involvement with the organization truly reflects upon his character. It shows his dedication to health issues as a premedical student and his leadership as a citizen, both of which are exhibited not only through SOD but through all of the work that he does.

Martin Counterman

Chaplain Counterman is a fixture in the Port Charlotte, FL community. He has served in numerous capacities in many civic and nonprofit organizations and is always willing to lend a hand.

When the hurricane season hit hard, he found another opportunity to serve and immediately went to work after Charley had struck Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area. He coordinated and delivered personally a truckload of disaster relief supplies to the reserve officer’s needing them. Items included chainsaws, gloves, tarps, safety equipment, food, water, snacks etc. Chaplain Counterman also visited with residents of a severely damaged mobile home park in Punta Gorda providing both physical and spiritual comfort.

He returned the following day to the same area to go lot by lot passing out water to elderly residents clearing debris. He also spent time at one of the comfort stations providing a listening ear and spiritual assistance where needed. He also manned the stations phones to give regular workers a break. One particular day Chaplain Counterman was getting ready to depart for the day when a person came in with an address and a request for a “Check on the Well Being” of an elderly couple. No one was available to do this so Chaplain Counterman Volunteered and immediately departed to the area.

Disaster Relief Benefits received by the many reserve officers who were already volunteering their time and efforts included the personally delivered materials to their homes or to their patrol cars where they were working. Benefits to the community included distribution of supplies and spiritual comfort given as well as assisting them to receive the assistance available from other agencies. Chaplain counterman assisted in locating families who did not have contact with her relatives and assisted them in making the contact.

Chaplain Counterman is disabled and in a wheelchair. He does not let his disability deter him from his concern and care of others. Despite being a victim of the hurricane himself, he placed the needs of others before his own. Chaplain Counterman has been involved in many different volunteer organizations in his life. American Red Cross, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Reserve Unit Road Patrol, Police Reserve Association of Florida Chaplain (PRAF), Florida Southern Baptist Disaster Response Chaplain, AWANA Youth Organization, International, Police Officers for Christ International (POFCI).

His desire to help others is what sets this man apart from the rest. Despite his disabilities and illnesses he continues to care for others.