DR. LILY DEBLIEUX

Lily Deblieux believes in empowerment and uses her time to empower others. She has been a mentor for a Cuban female. This young lady comes from a low socioeconomic background, but she wants to succeed and Deblieux has continued to mentor, nurture and guide her through her college graduation. She has also mentored a student in Take Stock in Children for 5 years. That youth recently graduated from high school and was especially proud because she is the first high school student graduate in her family.

Deblieux also has a strong desire for everyone to get a great start, and she believes education helps to provide just that. She has served on The Education Foundation’s board, as a mentor, with the Men of Distinction committee (raising funds for student scholarships), and with the assistance of book collections for the students of Collier County. She serves as a member of the ABWA on the Scholarship committee and fundraising for Women in History. In addition, Deblieux is involved with the PACE Center in Immokalee and also serves as a mentor there.

She is Vice-Chair of the Catholic Charities in her area and volunteers in many activities helping those who are less fortunate. Deblieux is an active participant of many Chambers of Commerce and mentors business owners. She is also a member of The Alternative Board, meeting with local executives to improve businesses in the area. Deblieux serves on the Economic Development Council of Collier County helping recruit members to work towards the economic development of Collier County.

Because of Deblieux’s commitment to youth and education, those who she serves go on to become productive members of society and can, in turn, help someone else to do the same. She works with a diverse population and demonstrates that we can all work together regardless of our race, religious belief or ethnicity. In addition, her commitment to making her community a better place to live by leading and recruiting others to take part in the economic growth of their community ensures that all residents have an opportunity to enjoy living and working in a place affordable to all.

In addition to the above, Deblieux is also an active supporter of Relay for Life and the American Red Cross. The scope of her service is broad, and she is an excellent example of what one person can accomplish. She was named 2005 Hispanic Woman of Distinction with the Cystic Fibrosis Organization, and she has been named a leader with the Leadership Collier Class of 2006.

JEWEL FREEMAN

Decatur Youth Enrichment sponsors a tutorial and reading program during the summer. Jewel Freeman is a part of this program and uses her skills and abilities to help others. Freeman participated each day, and the children benefited from this greatly. Her efforts and dedication gave the participants a great foundation for the school year.

Freeman had a calm demeanor and a sincere desire for the children to learn. Many of the participants under her teaching became more enthusiastic about learning. She was one of the first people that was able to make them see that learning could be fun. Freeman has a philosophy of working hand in hand with the schools and educational institutions because it takes a village to raise a child.

In addition to serving as a tutor, Freeman was also in charge of the summer student workers; and this benefited the students as well. Freeman observed the student workers and was able to target their strengths and weaknesses. Once the participating children were gone for the day, she would identify various skills and skill sets that the student workers need to develop and work with them to do just that. This encouraged the student workers and strengthened their abilities.

Freeman gave of other resources also. If a child had a need that was not met, she would reach into her pocket and make sure it was taken care of. She also generously gave of more time for those who were not involved in extracurricular activities and would provide them with opportunities they may not otherwise have. Freeman was comfortable with participants of different cultures and made sure all the children feel very comfortable. She spoke to the children about diversity but also lived it everyday in her actions – and not in a patronizing way.

Freeman brought more promise to the lives of the students served in the summer program and Decatur Youth Enrichment looks for the same results each year. Freeman is an excellent classroom teacher, and she takes it upon herself to bring this child to the center and work with them one on one. Because of this, not only to the children learn, but their self-confidence soars; and the parents, families and student teachers benefit also.

ALAN ABRAM

Alan Abram lives with scleroderma, a chronic, often progressive autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and can cause thickening and tightening of skin, as well as serious damage to internal organs. He was diagnosed with scleroderma in 1994; however, he did not let the diagnosis keep him from community service.

Abram has volunteered in the South Florida Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation since October 1994, when he and his wife moved to Florida. Abram has served not only as a member of the board of the southeast Florida Chapter, but as Vice President and President as well. At the present he is serving a new term as president.

In addition to his other service to the Foundation, Abram, with the help of his wife Dorothy, has planned an annual fundraiser, Have a Heart for Scleroderma. Abram prepares letters of solicitation and invitations for the event as well as chairing the event. He also recruits organizations to donate items for the event. This last year was the 9th annual event, and the past nine events have totaled $500,000 collected for research for a cure for scleroderma.

Because of his first-hand knowledge and experience with scleroderma, Abram has had a separate phone line installed in his house so he can take calls anytime of the day or night from people newly diagnosed with scleroderma, or people wanting information about the organization.

Abrams suffers from other chronic health problems in addition to scleroderma, but he does not complain about his infirmity. Instead he works to find innovative ways to help others and raise money for research and a cure. Abrams is a well of information for those calling him, and a caring ear for those who need to talk about their illness or need assistance finding medical care. This attitude is remarkable in general, but more specifically because Abrams recently turned 75 years old. He is at an age where many look to relax, but he looks to overcome an illness while still helping others.

JOHN HILL

In January of 2005, Phil Sontag, a senior high school student in Erie Pennsylvania, collapsed during a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball game and later died from sudden cardiac arrest. The parochial school gymnasium where Phil was playing was not equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Like most of the parochial schools in Erie, there simply was not enough money available to provide for this lifesaving device.

John William Hill believed that if the St. George School gymnasium was equipped with an AED, Phil’s life might have been saved. This motivated Hill to begin thinking of ways to raise money to purchase an AED for St. George’s School. Hill was fortunate to receive some publicity to create more awareness for his cause, and in February 2005 a local television station interviewed John regarding his endeavors.

Hill made 200 DVD’s of the television segment. He sent them to family, friends, and local business owners along with a letter, in which he offered to contribute 10% of his summer wages earned by life guarding at a local pool, busing tables for a local restaurant and working for a caterer. He asked individuals to match his contribution so the goal could be met.

Through his innovative and compassionate efforts, Hill raised in excess of $16,300 to buy nine AED’s for Erie’s Parochial Schools. When the local paper reported the story, Hill’s quote reflected the self-effacing compassion he has exhibited throughout his life. Hill said, “That machine could have saved Phil’s life. I don’t want anybody to have to go through that kind of tragedy again.”

Because of his dedication and untiring efforts, Hill has been nominated for numerous awards. St. Vincent Hospital, the local hospital coordinating the purchase, installation and training for the AED’s awarded John the first ever Young Philanthropist of the Year Award. Hill, along with Phil’s father is happy that something positive has come from the sudden loss of this young man. Through Hill’s efforts, there are now nine permanent AED’s in local parochial school gymnasiums. The entire Erie community, including the student athletes who utilize the facilities are safer as a result of Hill’s service.

THE VIOLENT TRAUMA AWARENESS PROGRAM (VTAP)

Violent Trauma Awareness Program, formerly Victims of Work-Related (VOW) Violent Crime Foundation was created in 2002 as a result of a horrific ordeal. After a thirteen year career in banking, Michelle Renee, and her young daughter were kidnapped and held hostage for nearly fourteen hours by three masked gunmen. The captors put bombs on their bodies and duct taped them. Their lives were threatened if Michelle did not rob the vault of the bank she managed. The trial was lengthy and quite an ordeal. Michelle was left to fight for her reputation and suffer an unexpected re-victimization.

So many of the services Michelle and her daughter needed to recover from their ordeal and face criminal trial proceedings were not available or offered to them. Through prayer, determination and courage combined with the heart felt desire to help others, The Victims of Work-Related Violent Crime (VOW) Foundation was birthed and later re-named to the Violent Trauma Awareness Project in 2003.

Since the inception of VTAP, their original, singular goal of assisting violent crime victims has expanded. They focus on three core programs: violent crime victim recovery; youth leadership development and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness. They have assisted many violent crime victims during their recovery; conducted youth outreach expressive art workshops and recently formed the Youth Against Crime Club; donated personal alarms to assist victims in regaining a sense of safety and control again; conducted PTSD awareness training sessions for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office; University of So. California-Criminal Justice Students; San Diego National Bank and others; held fundraising events; participate in victim’s rights activities; and more.

They wanted to meet a need in the community and continue to heal personal hurts. The founders of the organization experienced violence first hand and wanted to help others so they would not have to endure those same trials. VTAP was a vehicle not only to help others, but to help the various members of Michelle’s family to come to the aid of other victims of work-related violence. Her brother, Dave created a Young Warrior Program. Her mother began volunteering at the youth and fundraising events, taking grant-writing classes and volunteering in the office every week. Soon other family members, Eric and Mike along with their families joined in to purchase and donate art supplies and volunteer their time a the events as well. In addition, Linda’s granddaughter, Breea started an after school program called Girls against Crime. Breea and her friends now raise money specifically for crime victims and tell others to say no to crime.

The truly inspiring portion of VTAP is the fact that it is a positive response to trauma. Michelle and her family have turned tragedy into triumph and have moved into life of joy and service. This family continues to grow together and show others that one family can make a positive difference in this world.

PAULA MORRIS

In the fall of 2001, Paula Morris was working on a committee at The Salvation Army (TSA) in Salisbury, MD to better improve their Learning Center. Students were required to attend the Learning Center to bring up their GPA in order to play sports. Once their GPA reached the required level they left; the committee wanted to come up with a program that encouraged them to continue to reach for success and thus Kids of Honor was born. Once the committee work was complete, Morris took on the challenge to encourage these and many other kids to achieve success.

Kids of Honor “catches” kids doing something right and recognizes a monthly winner for basic skills such as attendance, behavior, cooperation and preparation. At the end of the year, one monthly winner is selected to become the annual Kid of Honor and receives a check for $500. The catch? The money is invested on the child’s behalf and the winner may not receive the funds until he or she graduates from high school. Morris spent two years working to make this program work on her own, investing countless hours and funds towards the program. In 2003, Morris enlisted the help of a formal board, which she oversees as Chairman.

In 2001, 40% of people in Wicomico County did not have a high school diploma. In fact, about 35% of people living in Maryland do not have a high school diploma. The drop out rate in Wicomico County is just under 10% for African-Americans and averages around 3% for all other races. Kids of Honor is aimed at middle school-aged children and focuses on keeping them in school long enough to receive a high school diploma.

Not wanting to lose the Kids of Honor after they had been “caught,” Morris recently came up with the Engagement Program. Morris designed this program to bring the Kids of Honor together six times a year; three times for a community service project and three times for a fun activity. Morris wants to show the kids the importance of giving back to the community and teach them to become responsible citizens while showing them adults do care about them.

Kids of Honor was never meant to leave TSA, however when Morris saw the kids catching on and becoming better students and acting more positively, she could not sit back and leave it alone; she had to let it grow. Morris turned Kids of Honor into a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization that is currently serving 23 youth programs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Kids of Honor is truly an innovative tool for youth programs. One of its Board members describes Kids of Honor, saying, “We are not another program, we are a way of making your program better.” Unlike stand-alone programs, Kids of Honor links and leverages community resources to enhance existing programs working with struggling kids.

STEVEN COHEN

After six-year-old Daniel Heidenberg lost his life to leukemia in December 1996, Steven Cohen created Friends for Life of America to help other patients living with pediatric cancers. He recognized the important contributions that students could make in their communities by serving others.

Working diligently to garner school and community support, Steven designed a website (http:/www.friendsforlife.com), organized community-wide fundraisers, and lectured on bone and tissue donation at high schools and Hispanic agencies throughout South Florida. A fluent Spanish speaker, Steven also traveled to Mexico to interview hospital administrators to learn more about the quality of programs and services offered to cancer patients; he wanted to make an impact both nationally and internationally. In February 1997, Steven established the first chapter of Friends for Life of America at the University School of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but that was just the beginning.

Steven has spearheaded a variety of dynamic programs to improve the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families. Foremost among these programs is the Hearts for the Holidays Campaign, an innovative Friends for Life of America volunteer service program that encourages students, faculty, staff, and community members to design inspirational holiday cards for pediatric patients undergoing treatment during the holiday season. Steven did not just think of this idea, but also participated in every facet of the program – from promoting the campaign to helping package the cards for distribution. This year alone, Friends for Life of America members distributed in excess of 30,000 cards to hospitals worldwide.

Over the past decade, Friends for Life of America, now a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, has transformed into the largest global student organization that serves pediatric cancer patients and their families. Growing at a rapid rate, the organization has attracted the support of more than 50,000 students in thirty-five high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States, Australia, Italy, and Nepal. Under Steven’s leadership, Friends for Life of America has raised more than $100,000 to fund research grants, patient services, and community programs. And because of Steven’s desire to extend the organization’s reach to as many pediatric patients as possible, members have sent holiday cards, hats, and teddy bears to patients undergoing cancer treatment in almost every state and in more than twenty countries. At just twenty-three years old, Steven has made a dramatic difference in the lives of others.

Steven is a powerful inspiration and a wonderful role model. Not only does he approach every day as a fresh opportunity to impact others through Friends for Life of America, but he also displays outstanding time management skills. Steven recently graduated from the University of Florida with a perfect 4.0 GPA, summa cum laude, while also spending over twenty hours a week managing Friends for Life of America programs. Steven is a young visionary who is a role model for adults and youth alike.

BANCO POPULAR NORTH AMERICA

From its humble beginnings in 1893, Banco Popular North America (BPNA) has committed to the social well being of the communities they serve. For 112 years, the core of their institutional values, Social Commitment, is the compass that guides their mission and community philosophy as they serve those who need it most. Community service is part of their corporate DNA, a key pillar of their identity as an institution.

BPNA is committed to “Make Dreams Happen” for their Communities. That’s one of the reasons they call their employees “DreamMakers.” Not only is the bank like a family to their customers, communities, and DreamMakers, but the families of the DreamMakers join in supporting their contributions and commitment to community service.

The best examples of this joint commitment occurred when DreamMakers and their families joined hands to celebrate Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 23, 2004, and completed 64 community projects, involved 571 employees and their families, totaling approximately 2,400 hours and reaching in excess of 5,000 people. This past October 2005, Banco Popular employees and family members came together again and executed a tremendous effort during their second bank-wide Make a Difference Day: Over 500 DreamMakers and their families volunteered at 40 Sites and contributed 2344 service hours.

BPNA’s company wide volunteer and community service initiative is called, It’s in Your Hands. This powerful call to action to make a difference in people’s lives reflects the flexibility offered to DreamMakers and their families, drawing them together to respond to an array of projects that address many pressing community needs. Employees and their families selected the cause or project most meaningful to them and made their contributions of time and talent. They reached out to create strong partnerships with local organizations as they donated hundreds of service hours to strengthen local communities and bring needed relief and support to those at risk: Children, the elderly, mentally and physically challenged individuals, families in extreme poverty, community schools, the homeless, terminally ill patients, teenage moms and many more.

With each project, volunteers grew stronger in their commitment to improve the overall quality of the communities they serve. All around the country, DreamMakers and their families continued and expanded their efforts with chosen service projects, many of which represent an ongoing commitment from BPNA and its staff.

Among the initiatives was Northern Illinois-based Clearbrook. Clearbrook is a nonprofit human services agency and advocate leader creating opportunities for developmentally disabled children. BPNA enjoys an ongoing relationship with Clearbrook, with a member of their senior management team serving on the Board of Directors. On Make a Difference Day, thirty-six DreamMakers, friends and family members volunteered more than 216 hours of service sprucing up their space. Moved by the volunteers’ initiative, local retailers (i.e. Home Depot) donated paint, rollers, brushes and pans to support the project.

For three consecutive years, BPNA DreamMakers and families in the Orlando region partnered with Seniors First to provide an array of services and support for the elderly. On Make a Difference Day, “It’s in Your Hands” teams worked on two senior citizens’ homes by painting and remodeling their facades.

Throughout the year, BPNA DreamMakers volunteer with community organizations in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Texas and California. Banco Popular North America is about community, neighborhoods and people. We believe in the dreams that rise from our communities and aspire to partner in order to help those dreams pass into the reality of action.

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MONTGOMERY

Since 1926, The Junior League of Montgomery (JLM) has been committed to promoting volunteerism and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLM consists of nearly 1000 women, 25 years and older, who donate an average of 20,000 hours of service to their community annually.

Over the past two years, the JLM spent hours of extensive research to incorporate their purpose as an educational and charitable organization into a Signature Project that would have a lasting and positive impact on the community. After months of study and brainstorming, the JLM chose the construction of a “Discovery Village” which would be a hands-on interactive, science-theme playground that stimulates, educates and entertains children in Montgomery and the River Region as their Signature Project. The JLM would engage the services of an architectural firm from New York, purchase the land, and partner with the City, local businesses and thousands of volunteers to bring this project to reality.

On October 12, 2004 architects and JLM representatives met with children at local elementary schools to gather ideas for the design. Once blueprints were complete, preparations began, PSA’s were written, television spots developed and volunteers recruited. With an estimate of 2,800 volunteers needed to complete the playground, the JLM began to recruit business partners and volunteers from all walks of life. In excess of 118 local churches, nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges and businesses partnered with the League to support this mammoth undertaking. National organizations with a local presence supporting the project included Home Depot, Charter Communications, Cracker Barrel, Wendy’s, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Wal-Mart, Nextel, and Aqua Springs just to name a few. Thousands of multi-generation volunteers, individuals and families alike, participated in the scheduled nine-day build from April 21, 2005 to May 1, 2005 to complete the playground, from the ground up. Children as young as 10 worked with their parents/guardian, making the age range of volunteers 10 to 80 years’ young. Children under the age of 10 were able to attend the “free” on-site daycare service provided by the JLM and volunteers, making this event a true family adventure.

During 2005, League members found time to volunteer additional countless hours to numerous agencies and important causes in the River Region. League members promote and participate in areas, some which include parenting skills, health and well-being, early childhood prevention, life skills development, domestic violence, education and children and youth.

The JLM continually works to improve the lives of others. Proceeds raised annually support their work in the community through projects that improve the quality of life for families and children. The JLM’s Signature Project, Discovery Village Playscape, imagined by children and built by the community, provides the City of Montgomery with a lasting and positive impact. Due to the efforts of this remarkable group of local women joining forces with the common interest of making a difference in the lives of others, they have been nominated for numerous awards.

RICK CRYDER

In January 1997, Rick Cryder, a retired advertising agency artist, wanted to make a difference in his community. In accomplishing this goal, he recruited several volunteers and initiated the “Angels of Love” program. Some of those original volunteers include Keith Griess, Harry Rogers, Ken Serapin and Willy Zoeller. Over the years, Angels of Love volunteers have handcrafted thousands of stained glass angels and distributed them to families of children with life-threatening illnesses. The angels provide a sense of love, hope, peace and comfort for dealing with the potential loss of a child.

While continuing to serve hospitalized children, the angel project has expanded its outreach to families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, be it law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and most recently, members of the armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our great nation. The handcrafted angels help console the families of these fallen heroes.

As interest in the Angels of Love program grew, it became obvious that the six volunteers who initiated the project needed to expand their numbers to better serve the community. In responding to this challenge, a proposal to generate volunteer support was submitted to the Correctional Programs Unit of the James A. Musick Facility.

The Musick Facility is a minimum-security jail operated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. It is unusual for a jail facility to undertake a project as described above due to the materials utilized to produce the angels, but after careful consideration, the proposal was approved in February 2001. Two Correctional Programs technicians and the founder of the Angels of Love program, Rick Cryder, were assigned to instruct classes for the male and female inmates, teaching them the art of creating stained glass angels. In serving as volunteers, inmates are offered an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the community and to become a positive force within society. Over the years, more than 960 inmates have volunteered their time, talents and efforts to handcraft 6,800 angels that have been delivered to local hospitals for distribution to seriously ill children and their families.

On May 31, 2004, in observance of Memorial Day, 1,057 angels were dedicated to the men and women of our armed forces who died in the line of duty serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The families of each deceased service member received an angel with their appropriate service insignia. In addition to working with Musick Facility inmates, Cryder has implemented the Angels of Love program at the Orange County Probation Department’s Joplin Youth Center (JYC) and Youth Guidance Center (YGC). JYC is a juvenile correctional institution that provides residential treatment for teenage boys ages 13 to 17. YGC offers rehabilitation programs for both girls and boys, ages 11 to 18 years of age. Under Cryder’s guidance, troubled teens create “Angels of Love” and personally deliver them to families whose children are receiving treatment at local hospitals. The experience has been life changing for teens in the probation system that have discovered the importance of volunteering and learned the value of reaching out to help others in the community.