Go FIT, Inc.

Go FIT is a simple program based on an innovative concept that yields powerful results. The innovative concept is engaging formerly sedentary women and youth into a walk-to-run program dedicated to empower, educate, and motivate inner city women and youth to set their lives on a healthful track by promoting education, exercise, and supporting healthy decision making. The program is free to all participants and includes weekly exercise sessions and guest speakers on the topics of nutrition, fitness, drug prevention, and self-motivation. As incentive for completion, most participants receive free running shoes, socks, t-shirts, water bottles, snacks and most importantly, lasting positive mentorship.

Go FIT is an organization that works to improve the lives of young people in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. The focus on academic achievement is apparent but Go FIT also recognizes that academic success is not enough to lead a healthy life. The Go FIT program has sought out opportunities to expand the experience of the participants and improve their lives along the way. For this reason, collaborating with Go FIT is a natural extension into further enhancing the experience of the participants.

The Go FIT program serves boys and girls from ages 3-19. In order to qualify for this program, students must receive free or reduced fee lunches, or come from an underserved population.

In terms of key achievements, Go FIT has successfully implemented collaborations using a four to six week clinic program throughout the region at many community sites including Girls Incorporated of Holyoke, Bay State Health System/Spirit of Women, The Massachusetts Career Development Center, Alternative Skill Center High School in Springfield, Springfield’s YMCA and the Agawam School System. Go FIT has recently finished working with the Martin Luther King Community Center in Springfield, Step Ahead/Step Forward Program from the Elms College in Chicopee, and Bay Path College in Longmeadow. Though these programs differ often in delivery or the particular group served, the Go FIT model with its unique combination of relationship-building or mentorship with a walk-to-run fitness program to sustain behavior change in physical activity and nutrition has been able to meet and exceed expectations of collaborators.

At the beginning and the ending of each six week program, all participants fill out a survey designed to measure the impact the program has on each participant. Our continued contact with administrators and often times, participants enables the organization to continue to track the success of individual experiences, even if this would be primarily anecdotal.

Reverend Merwyn Davidson

Certain people in a community make a difference, not only by contributions, but as role models, leaders and instigators for others. Dr. Merwyn Davidson is one such person.

Davidson’s first career was minister and missionary, serving congregations in Nebraska and Japan. Retiring in 1995, he and his wife moved to Aurora, NE.

The strength of Davidson’s contributions is impossible to measure. The youth of Aurora have benefited from his commitment, values, direction and leadership.

Reverend Davidson’s strong presence in the Aurora United Methodist Church has involved him in the spiritual needs of the youth through Sunday School and devotion groups. Merwyn and his wife offer inter-denominational Bible study/support groups to all youth of the community where they minister to over 100 young people during any one week.

At the Aurora Middle School, Davidson volunteers by monitoring halls and tutoring in classrooms. He has implemented a Jr. Optimist program involving over 60 youth promoting community involvement. His influence and presence are relevant connections for the youth.

Davidson’s greatest influence is in MOVING the community. His tangible accomplishments are the youth center and theater, created, established, and directed by him and now led by him through the Hamilton Recreation Foundation.

More than that is the loyalty and commitment he leads and inspires. Like a Pied Piper, Davidson recruits volunteers and support. There was no community movie theater or youth center when he came, but now is run by volunteers. New facilities for the youth center was brought about by donations and various support.

For 10 years he has addressed the needs of Aurora’s young people with time and devotion. His passion for providing safe, positive opportunities for growth and service for the youth has mobilized the community of Aurora, establishing a foundation for future success.

Claudia Davis

Claudia Davis has been a volunteer at the Audio Studio for the Reading Impaired since April 2000 and a member of the Board of Directors since 2001. The Audio Studio records printed material onto cassette tapes for people who because of a physical disability cannot read for themselves. The volunteers work in teams of two, one person reading the material and the second person (Monitor) operating the tape recorder. Davis is both a Reader and a Monitor, which makes her doubly valuable. On any given day they will have volunteers cancel and Davis can work in either capacity.

In addition to reading books and magazines for the clients, Davis has become friends with one special client, Inam Shalati. Inam sends her birthday and Christmas cards, and the printed material from her music CDs and tapes for Davis to read. Davis always has a personal greeting for Inam and takes great care in describing the cards in much detail.

Davis volunteers four hours a week at the Studio and for the past four years has been honored at their volunteer Luncheon for donating more than 100 hours of her time at the Studio. Davis has been a definite asset to the Audio Studio and is always willing to work extra hours if they need a last-minute replacement. Davis delights in getting to know the clients personally and developing relationships with them.

Arthur Losher

Arthur Losher has been a role model to the community because of his philanthropic contribution and voluntary services. Losher has served as a Local Director for Community and Local Director for Chapter Management for the Peoria Jaycees, and he personally chairs and implements both new and old projects. During his time with the Jaycees, Losher has chaired in excess of thirty projects. Dale has brought Jaycees National Projects to the Peoria Jaycees; Project 10 Pin, Love Letters and Jaycees Against Youth Smoking are just a few programs Losher has brought online to the Peoria area. Jaycees Against Youth Smoking is a program that is brought into middle schools and teaches the negative effects of smoking and is an excellent early intervention program Losher has brought to scores of children in the Peoria area schools. The program is currently expanding its reach.

Losher received Outstanding Prairieland Jaycee for the 3rd Quarter 2004, Runner-up Jaycee of the Year 2005, and many state awards for projects as well. He has brought new members into the organization and cultivated their skills to chair projects. Under his guidance many rookie Jaycee members have been awarded some of the largest honors the Jaycees offer. Losher’s dedication to the community can be summed up as outstanding, well known, and a benchmark for others to follow.

Losher also serves with the American Diabetes Association and developed a new project called “Darts for Diabetes” last year. This program helped raise more than 2,000 dollars for the American Diabetes Association. In addition to this work, Losher has brought to the area and chaired Pepsi Pitch, Hit, and Run, which is a community-based project that tests kids’ skills and sends the winners to Wrigley Field for a national competition. Losher also raises money for the American Cancer Society through Silent auctions, runs independent self-development projects such as cake decorating, candy making, fund raising, and chairs some of the Peoria’s most important community service projects. Because of Losher’s service there is a new, higher standard for community projects such as T-ball, Night Golf, Bergner’s Community Days, Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt, Firecracker 5000 and more.

What was once summed up as “beyond normal limits” can describe Losher’s impact on the community. The Multiple Sclerosis Society gave Dale the Outstanding Volunteer Award. He has been in the news several times promoting or describing his community efforts. He has been nominated as the WEEK Hometown Hero and mentioned several times in local papers. He also contributes to the government in many ways. As a Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Optometry and an Emergency Medical Technician for the 182nd Illinois Air National Guard, Losher has excelled in his department and updated his department to maximum efficiency in many ways. During the ongoing war campaign, Losher has enhanced mobility by offering a variety of options for troops to receive their equipment. He has ensured that the 182nd is 100 percent ready for every contingent and equipped in every deployment. Dale has received NCO of the Year for 2004 and 2005 for the 182nd.

Joseph Quiros

Joseph Quiros has a distinct ability to address community needs and this ability has benefited the Seaford, New York community greatly. Joseph created The MacArthur Generals Safe at Home Charity Softball Game in hopes of helping community members who are affected with tragedy or crisis. Many, including school administrators, peers and community members, have recognized his innovative and unique approach.

Sports have always been a huge part of Joseph’ life. He currently plays baseball and golf for MacArthur High School, and his love of the game is evidenced by being part of the team. Community service has also been integral to Joseph. He gets great satisfaction knowing that community members benefit from his volunteer efforts. In April 2005, Joseph decided to combine the two things in is most fulfilled by, and he founded The MacArthur Generals Safe at Home Charity Softball Game.

Joseph’s goal was to have the MacArthur High School baseball teams (JV and Varsity) play in a friendly/competitive softball game against their coaches and fathers, as well as to raise money for a local worthwhile cause. He succeeded in his mission by suggesting that each player contribute by making a donation, and the response was overwhelming! Over 100 of his teammates and their parents participated.

Joseph’s time management skills were definitely challenged putting this together. Baseball season was upon him, and he had to get the proper permits, obtain umpires, set up the field and publicize the event while studying for AP and final exams. This proved to be an exhausting task; however, it was still a task that he completed.

Upon learning of the unexpected death of a teammate’s father during the planning of this softball game, Joseph knew who the recipients would be. This father of five was a lifelong Levittown resident and an avid community volunteer, and Joseph wanted to help his family. Community members and spectators were amazed as the bleachers were full of enthusiastic fans, and after three hours of good-natured bantering between teams, over $1,000 was raised. What initially began as a challenge to Joseph is now an ongoing annual school event.

Jean Peyton

Jean Peyton is blind and travels with her guide dog, Lander. Since moving to Nevada in 1994, Peyton has served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a volunteer mediator with the Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center and as a Board member and officer of Mediators of Southern Nevada. As a blind individual, she currently represents the disability community on the Nevada State Workforce Investment Board, Nevada State Rehabilitation Council and the Interagency Transition Advisory Board. She chairs the Regional Transportation Commission’s Older American/Disability Transportation Advisory Committee. She also worked during the 2005 Legislature to strengthen the Nevada statutes regarding the safety of guide dog teams.

In 1998, Peyton founded Blindconnect, a nonprofit organization that provides information, referral, and peer support to blind and visually impaired adults in Clark County. Its genesis was in the lack of coordinated information and access to blindness services. Working collaboratively in the community, Blindconnect became, in many ways, the one-stop for those with vision loss. It has become a premier organization as it has met its mission to connect blind people to other blind persons, to available services and resources, and to their community at large.

During her presidency, Blindconnect has grown from 5 to more than 80 members, has a fully-equipped office where those with vision loss may try accessible equipment and talk with blind volunteers, and offered educational programs both in elementary schools and in senior housing facilities. Peyton developed the concept of Camp Independence, the first-in-Nevada overnight confidence-building program for blind seniors. She secured funding, developed collaborative partnerships with State agencies and other nonprofits, and provided onsite leadership for three sessions.

Peyton developed the idea to create Vision Forum, a one-day conference for blind and visually impaired adults and children. She invited public and private agencies to partner in the planning and implementation of this inaugural event. This project will reinforce the collaborations within the blindness community that allow limited resources to be maximized to meet needs.

Peyton is proud that under her leadership Blindconnect has been a long-term United Way accredited agency. Peyton’s volunteerism has had a positive impact on the lives of many blind and visually impaired adults. Though deeply involved on an organizational level with Blindconnect, she takes time to mentor those who seek independence. Moreover, she educates the community-at-large on the abilities of blind persons, the value of service animals, and the rights and responsibilities of blind and sighted individuals as they interact in daily life.

Philip O’Leary

Phil has volunteered for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) for six years. As a Metro volunteer he plays two roles. One of O’Leary’s roles is as a character actor for McGruff. He wears a dog costume and travels to elementary schools and safety fairs, taking a bite out of crime. They have recently started a new program in the elementary schools for the kindergarteners and first-graders. Not only do they educate them on Stranger Dangers, but they also introduce them to the McGruff Truck Program. They teach them to look for the picture of McGruff that appears on utility vehicles and how to signal these workers for help. This program is very valuable, because these McGruff truck drivers, whether they are Nevada Power employees, Southwest Gas employees, county or city employees, have been trained in how to assist children in times of crisis.

Even though the McGruff Truck Program has been in existence for over five years, it is not that familiar to our elementary children. When McGruff goes to the elementary schools, he makes a real impression on them. He gives hugs and high-fives as he helps educate them to stranger dangers. The children love him. They deputize the children with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sticker police badges and engage them in helping McGruff keep them safe. Every child has an opportunity to come up and hug, high-five, or pet McGruff. They also take a photo of the children with McGruff, which is sent back to the class to reinforce our visit. Even when O’Leary is wearing his hot, confining dog head that impairs his vision, he is always very caring and patient with the children.

O’Leary also writes handicap-parking citations for LVMPD. He uses his own vehicle and buys his own gasoline to patrol the downtown area command. O’Leary is 75 years old and has a handicapped-parking placard issued to him. As a person who is handicapped, he knows how important the availability of these spaces is for the people who truly need them. Even though ensuring these spaces are available for the handicapped population is of utmost importance, it is not the top priority for the police officers. The participation of volunteers like O’Leary enables the police department to better serve the community and allows the police to concentrate on protecting the community.

O’Leary contributes to his community in ways that influence both the old and young and makes life easier for the disabled citizens.

Nobuko Nishimura

Mrs. Nobuko Nishimura has been a valued volunteer at Cartwright Elementary School for many years. For more than four years, Nishimura has been an active part of her children’s education by volunteering her time in the classroom. She spends countless hours helping her children’s teachers prepare materials for the upcoming weeks or completing projects with the children. Her time at Cartwright has been valuable, not only to her children, but all Cartwright Coyotes.

Teachers and staff see Nishimura alike as one of the most responsible and dependable volunteers to the classroom. Each week, Nishimura arrives on time to assist students in the classroom with their reading fluency. She sits with each student as they read their phonics books to her. She then provides positive feedback, as well as constructive criticism to help increase their reading fluency. This task often takes several hours to complete. She has never complained or become discouraged. Nishimura diligently works with each student as if they were her first student of the day. She also works with students by tutoring one-on-one for skill remediation. Nishimura often spends additional time with students to explain or solve a problem. She readily accepts any task asked of her and often stays well over her assigned times to finish those tasks. She has become an important part of the classroom routine and the students look forward to their time with her. The time she spends reading with the students is not only educational, but nurturing as well. For many students, it is the only personal attention they receive while reading to another adult. The joy she brings to each child is priceless and my classroom would not be the same without her.

It is evident that Nishimura enjoys helping the students at Cartwright. Her smile can be seen in the hallways several days each week. Nishimura volunteers her time in three classrooms on a regular basis. It is extraordinary that she continues to volunteer in a second grade classroom, two years after her eldest daughter has been promoted. In addition to her volunteer work in the classroom, she also assists our reading specialist, Ms. Ellis. These are just a few examples of her excellent rapport with the staff. She treats all staff members with respect and in return she is held in the highest regard. Mrs. Nishimura’s presence is well known throughout Cartwright Elementary. Her integrity and trustworthiness make her a great role model for the students whose lives she touches.

Simmone Moe

HELP of Southern Nevada assists families and individuals throughout Southern Nevada to overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency through direct services, training and referral to community resources. Simmone Moe volunteers on a monthly basis for HELP of Southern Nevada in the Marketing Department.

She assists the staff with special events such as fundraisers and office functions. Her computer skills also enable the marketing staff to work on other projects while she does data input or letter typing. Moe assembles marketing packets such as agency promotional material and works with bulk mail. During November and December, Moe volunteers a considerable amount of her time to help with the holiday programs. During November, she helped with data entry of client information, distribution of turkeys, sorting food, and completion of food boxes to distribute to clients. During December, Moe volunteered every day for 14 days at our toy drive and then continued at HELP of southern Nevada’s offices for the remainder of the month sorting the toys by ages and helping distribute the toys to parents who applied for assistance.

Moe’s contribution to HELP of Southern Nevada is extremely critical, as volunteers are always in demand. She is familiar with how the agency runs and is very reliable. Her assistance is critical for the marketing department because her skills and abilities enable the staff to be more efficient. Because she volunteers frequently, she has a good understanding of tasks that need to be completed. She does not need to be retrained when something is to be completed.

Moe’s level of involvement is extremely high. Most of the staff at HELP of Southern Nevada knows her on a first-name basis and are aware of her responsibilities. She works directly with staff and other departments besides Marketing if a need for abilities arises. She is on the “front line” and deals with their clients directly.

While working at the toy drive, Moe acted as a HELP of southern Nevada employee and was not afraid to speak for the agency. Even though she is a volunteer, she was still representing the agency verbally and physically. She also supervised other volunteers that were helping with the toy drive and kept track of their hours and the check-in sheet. She worked closely with the radio station that sponsored the toy drive, and gave accurate information when a bike count or toy count was needed.

Simmone Moe’s contributions make a huge difference in her community. With her help and dedication, HELP of Southern Nevada’s clients receive food, toys, and other resources that would not be available to them. HELP of Southern Nevada relies on volunteers such as Moe to reach and provide as many services as possible to people who need them during a critical time in their lives. Moe’s contribution is critical and she is an integral part of HELP of Southern Nevada.

Lois Johns

Lois Johns has been a volunteer with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) since 1993, but her volunteer service goes back much farther! RSVP is a part of Senior Corps, under the Corporation for National & Community Service. The mission of RSVP is to identify the needs of our community, and address them by recruiting and placing senior volunteers in over 150 nonprofit and service agencies throughout southern Nevada.

Johns has been contributing to her community for over 30 years. She started volunteering at University Medical Center (UMC) in 1976. Suzanne Poisson, Volunteer Coordinator at UMC, stated that “Lois’s parents were hospitalized at UMC and because of the good care they received; she made a commitment to give back to the hospital by donating her time through volunteering.”

Johns volunteered in the Family Birth Care Unit, where the new mothers and the staff just loved and adored her. At UMC, Johns helped the staff in a variety of ways, from filling pitchers of water for the mothers to helping set up the baby cribs. She was always very considerate to the patients and staff.

In 2005, Johns decided to step down from volunteering at UMC, citing that her reason was not because she wanted to, but because the traffic and parking situation at the hospital was becoming too much of a problem for her, and taking her safety into consideration. There were several times when she had driven to UMC to volunteer but was unable to find a parking place, so she would have to turn around and head back home. After having several major surgeries, it was difficult for Johns to walk long distances.

The staff at UMC was sad to see Johns leave. However, Johns, at age 82, was not finished with her contribution to the community. She called up the RSVP office and offered her services wherever she was needed, and fortunately for the RSVP staff, a volunteer was actually needed in the office.

For the past several months now, Johns has been a tremendous asset to the office and to RSVP. Johns spends three days a week in the office, and her time spent volunteering is of immeasurable value. She is always willing to step in and do anything that is asked of her. Her ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner always astonishes the RSVP staff; they even joke with Johns is that sometimes she can run circles around them! The tasks that Johns completes may seem minor to many, but they allow staff to focus on much larger issues and on the program as a whole. John’s disposition and bright smile really help to brighten up the office and make the workday much more enjoyable. Johns is the consummate example of an RSVP volunteer.