DANITA BRANAM

Danita Branam is one of the pioneers of, and inspirations for, the Development School for Youth (DSY), a leadership-training program for inner-city youth sponsored by the All Stars Project, Inc. in New York City.

From the program’s inception in 1997, Danita has been a role model, a counselor, and a friend to more than 400 young people who have graduated from the DSY program, all while working high-pressure days in the financial services industry.

Seven years ago, Danita led a team of volunteer adult executives to give hands-on support to inner-city youth enrolled in the DSY. They developed the curriculum, recruited workshop leaders, found paid summer internships in corporate settings, and accompanied the youth to their training workshops, thereby cultivating the model that DSY uses to this day. Danita was the first Program Associate for the DSY and the first and current Assistant Program Director. In her current position, she works day as a career development coach helping inner-city young people successfully negotiate the business environment and interact with adults on a professional level.

Danita devotes her nights and weekends to the DSY, believing that her core values lie in this program. In the summer of 2004 alone, there are 150 DSY youth in corporate jobs in NYC and over 50 in Newark, with more than 75 companies providing internships. As the program continues to grow, Danita introduces new adult volunteers to the DSY model, enabling them to, in turn, foster other young people’s growth. Through Danita’s example, the graduates of the DSY have developed tools to perform in new situations particularly in job interviews with corporate New Yorkers which they will be able to use for the rest of their lives.

For Danita, her strong leadership and generous spirit are second nature. “[Growing up], I had to learn from examples outside my community how to handle myself [in the professional world],” she says. “I am happy to use my resources to…provide a platform and environment for young people to learn how to perform as successful, creative adults.”

NICKI KARTOZIAN

Nicki Kartozian is an asset to the Community Services Council. She has been a volunteer with LifeCare Bank’s Friends Program since July 2003, and has also helped at the Utah Food Bank. Her enthusiasm, work ethic, and positive attitude have been exceptional. Currently she serves as a friend to Rita Cravens, one of our elderly and legally blind clients. Rita has called several times to thank us for Nicki’s services and refers to Nicki as a true “blessing”. Nicki does not have a car, however, she rides Trax and her bike in order to help Rita. They go grocery shopping, play games, and Nicki simply serves as Rita’s companion. These simple activities are the most meaningful for our elderly and disabled clients.

Many of our clients describe the toughest part of their situations as being lonely. As I listen to our staff do intake, it is apparent that these clients simply miss having someone to talk to and share stories with. Nicki eases Rita’s loneliness with phone calls and visits. Nicki’s contribution to Rita and the Community Service Council serves as an example to everyone in the community. This type of commitment to Rita, and Nicki’s volunteerism is the foundation of our mission statement here at Community Service Council as we attempt to “build caring communities through providing basic needs.” After all, what is more basic than having a friend?

In addition to providing Rita with weekly visits, Nicki came to the rescue of the Utah Food Bank. We had a group of volunteers cancel last minute for our annual Kids Café Dinner, which serves over 400 children. The first person we called was Nicki and she managed to gather all of her friends and her mother in order to make the night a success. We could not have accomplished this without her, and her willingness to serve is amazing. She has asked me to fax a copy of her background check to at least two other non-profit organizations. This request demonstrates that Nicki provides service not only here at CSC, but at additional agencies in the community. Volunteers like Nicki are the heart of non-profit organizations and as Rita described, a true “blessing.”

Nicki’s altruism is amazing and she clearly demonstrates that an individual’s actions can make a huge difference in another person’s life. Nicki is a student, volunteer, and outstanding member of our community, which is why she is recommended for the Silver Bowl Award.

YVONNE PERRY

Cedar Creek Middle School in Bastrop Independent School District is located in a rural community where both parents work to maintain a minimal income. Seventy-five percent of the students ride the bus to and from school due to their parents’ employment. Needless to say, parent involvement, perception, and communication have been an area of concern foe Cedar Creek Middle School since it opened five years ago.

Mrs. Yvonne Perry has helped change this concern into a strength. Mrs. Perry is currently the PTA President at Cedar Creek Middle School and does not receive any compensation for her time. Through her position in the PTA, she has created opportunities for parents and the community to bond with the school and improve their family structure through activities, services, and communication.

At the beginning of the school year, the PTA, through Mrs. Perry, sold prepackaged school supplies at a reduced cost so parents would not have to drive fifteen miles and pay higher prices for the same products. She also provided school supplies for those students/families who could not afford them.

Our first general PTA Meeting in August included a dinner, which was donated by a national food chain, and a great speaker over “Building Successful Partnerships”. The speaker was very informative and provided parents with tools they could use to improve their family structure as well as assist with their child’s education. The meeting was well received by parents and teachers and all of these resources were free.

In September, Mrs. Perry organized and led Cedar Creek’s first Annual Fall Fiesta that included games, tournaments, food, products, and activities for children of all ages and entire families. The purpose of the activity was to generate funds for student organizations and give families something to do as a family. The fiesta catered to more than 400 people from infants to grandparents and generated $4000 for organizations to use with their students.

Throughout the fall and spring, Mrs. Perry has come up with creative ideas to continue building family friendly schools. Near Christmas, the PTA will bring in various businesses and products to provide families a close place to purchase presents for their families at a low price. In the spring, she has arranged for another guest speaker to provide a family centered program and she has organized a “Parents Night Out” including a dinner, dance, and babysitting.

Mrs. Perry, through her creativity and vision, hundreds of hours of service, great organizational skills. And family centered focus, has changed the perception of schools in the local community. Students and parents are starting to view Cedar Creek Middle School as a place of learning and opportunity instead of another hurdle to overcome.

ASHLEY SOBON

The war on terrorism has dramatically affected our world and constantly shadows our daily routines. This project provides the community with a positive solution. Together, individuals and communities can take responsibility for their actions and make a difference. A major accomplishment of “Support Our Troops” is that it allows individuals to continually impact their communities for years to come. Ashley Sobon’s innovative project consists of 4 major components – neck coolers, packages, coupons and brochures.

Sewing “Neck Coolers” For Military Troops These special neck coolers, when soaked in water, activate a chemical compound, which works to absorb and time release water, giving much needed relief from the desert heat that is contributing to soldiers’ stress. One goal of “Support Our Soldiers” is to make and to teach others how to make 1000’s of neck coolers an then send them to the soldiers. As of 9/27/04, Ashley’s project has sewn/gathered over 200 neck coolers. She will continue to work with more groups, like the Rotary, Girl Scouts and Junior Women’s League, to get neck coolers made.

Sending Packages to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan “Support our Soldier” packages include letters of support solicited from schools, churches, parish picnics, Girl Scout Troops, individuals, community organizations and senior citizens centers. Ashley has been and will continue to visit all of these places. The need for writing letters to our soldiers is imperative. The packages also include neck coolers and items from a prepared list such as eye drops, wet towlettes, talcum and corn starch powder, fresh cushioned socks, Q-Tips, dry skin lotion, lip balm, powdered drink mix, playing cards and magazines. On average, the the value of one package exceeds $40. In addition, there is a $7 to $9 dollar cost for shipping the packages to overseas Military APO Addresses. However, “Support Our Soldiers” has a tremendous volunteer base and following. So far, donations, and individuals wishing to make a difference, have off-set these costs. As of 9/27/04, Ashley has sent more than 66 packages, totaling more than 760 pounds, overseas.

Manufacturers’ Coupons To Commissaries & Military Family Service Centers Outside The U.S. Another goal of “Support Our Soldiers” is to assist military families, because they too are suffering hardships, with money saving opportunities. Therefore, more than 80 packages of coupons, each weighing about 1 pound, have been sent to Korea, Japan, Guam, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany and numerous other foreign countries. Ashley and others cut coupons, stacks and packs the coupons into 1 pound packages and sends them out.

Visual Awareness – A Double-Sided, Full-Color Brochure Ashley actively created and prepared a double-sided, full-color brochure explaining the “Support Our Soldier” project and all of its components. She has been, and will continue to distribute this brochure at numerous venues and outlets, like the Girl Scouts, Scottish Rite Masons, Monroe County Telepioneers, Parish Picnics and local businesses. Ashley’s personal goal (and another goal of the project) is to encourage citizens and communities to actively show their support. With the help of the Pennsylvania representative Mario Scavello’s office, more than 1000 brochures will get the message out – “Support Our Soldiers”!!

JUDI A. LUNDH

In recognition that more support was needed for victims of crime in Laconia, New Hampshire, The Victim Services Unit of the Laconia Police Department was created in the spring of 2003.

The Victim Services Unit is made up of volunteers who work in connection with the prosecutor and officers of the Laconia Police Department.

Judi Lundh is an original member of the Victim Services Unit. She has maintained her commitment to helping victims of crime from May 2003 to the present. Judi works full time as a middle schools teacher and volunteers one or two afternoons per week at the police station.

As a member of the Victims Services Unit, Judi is assigned cases and is responsible for contacting victims. Judi has assisted victims of thefts, assaults, rape, and property crimes. Judi has worked with victims that run the spectrum of the social/economic spectrum as well as the culturally diverse population. Judi informs the victims of the pending prosecution, providing dates of hearing and answering questions regarding the court process. Judi also provides information/referrals to services in the community to address issues involving domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse to name a few.

The contact with the victim is not a one time event, communication continues until the prosecution is complete. The ongoing nature of the contact frequently results in Judi being viewed as a support for the victim.

In addition to her direct support of victims, Judi has assisted in the administration of the Victim Services Unit. Judi has participated in a television commercial to recruit additional volunteers. She has also assisted in the training of new volunteers.

STAN LATTA

Over the last twenty years, Stanley Michael Latta [Stan] has focused a vast majority of his time, energy, finances, and prayers to build opportunities for young people to serve.

As an Eagle Scout and decade-long volunteer at all levels with the Boy Scouts of America, he has trained future leaders in “character building, citizenship training and personal fitness.” He assisted these young men to become involved in organization service activities and to become engaged in the goal of being in service to solve community problems. As a Christian youth leader for over a decade, he gave countless time to create partnerships between church groups and to engage youth in service across ethnic, denominational and other boundaries. For his leadership with the BSA and his unparalleled commitment to faith, he was honored with the God and Service Award – the highest religious recognition given to volunteers. In light of his extraordinary honor, then North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., issued a personal letter of appreciation: commending Stan for “the hundreds of young men who stand in your debt.”

Both inside and outside of the church and Scouting, Stan has helped to ensure that children and youth had ongoing relationships with caring persons. He personally ‘adopted’ several boys without fathers at home; and he reached out as a mentor, father figure and friend to care for, counsel and encourage these youth during a difficult period in their lives. He further helped youth through his work as a soccer and Odyssey of the Mind coach, an at-risk youth facilitator, a camp counselor to speech and hearing impaired children, and a hands-on volunteer for a special camp for children affected by asthma. His appointment by the Town Council to a three-year term on the Cary (NC) Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board is a testament of his knowledge, skills, abilities and commitment.

Stan’s company (IBM) selected him out of 325,000 employees as the Worldwide Volunteer of the Month. He also has served as one of two IBM employee coordinators in the annual Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign that raised over three million dollars for the Triangle United Way in North Carolina.

In recognition of over twenty years and over four thousand hours of faithful service, the President of the United States (through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation) presented Stan with The Call to Service Award – recognizing his unsurpassed and unmatched volunteer efforts. In fact, Stan has received numerous honors, awards, and accolades – too many to mention – from local groups, organizations, and by the regional press and his colleagues. Yet, despite all the publicity, he is a quiet bachelor and “simple country boy.” The best words to describe him would be the quote on his emails: We make a living by what we get – but we make a life by what we give. Stan Latta has made a life by serving his community, state, and nation; and he is a sterling example of a Point of Light.

CHRIS REED

Chris Reed has been a volunteer with the Utah County Search and Rescue team for over 25 years. In addition to that, Chris has also volunteered for the Spanish Fork and Salem Ambulance associations. He has devoted in excess of 20 years of volunteer service there. Chris also is known throughout Utah Valley for his presentations regarding Search and Rescue, or emergency services. He provides his presentations for other agencies, schools, church, and civic groups. He has never been known to turn down a request for a presentation. He has donated untold hours on a monthly and yearly basis. At one time, it was estimated that Chris has been involved in approximately 3,000 rescue missions during his career. That number does not reflect the number of ambulance calls he responds to.

“Chris is an outstanding individual who simply puts others first in his life.” He has a very positive effect on the quality of life in our communities due to his sacrifice and his dedication to helping others. Chris has spent literally thousands upon thousands of dollars, out of his own pocket, to purchase a hovercraft for ice rescue. This craft alone has allowed Chris to rescue and save 14 lives on Utah Lake. He has also purchased a raft, a wave-runner, and radio equipment to assist the citizens of this county.

Chris is deserving of recognition because of his demonstrated sacrifice and dedication to serving others for over 25 years, not in one volunteer role, but in two.

Chris Reed, quite simply, defines service to others in our community. He leads by example and is willing to help anyone, at anytime. He has spent thousands of hours serving our communities, and the citizens of this county in a volunteer capacity.

JC BOOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL JR BETA CLUB

Beta Club members accumulated more than 2550 service hours in the 2003-2004 school year. New service projects were developed as well as continuing with our annual projects. For their extraordinary efforts, Presidential Student Service Awards went to sixteen members. In addition, school based awards for outstanding efforts in volunteerism and service were given to seventeen members.

Beta Club has added new dimensions to its community outreach. Betas have served the PTO’s at two of our feeder elementary schools, Kedron Elementary and Peachtree City Elementary and have also been in service in Booth’s Saturday School program as peer tutors. In addition, Beta Club was also involved with a very successful coat drive to assist the Fayette Samaritans Clothing Bank at Christmastime.

Our annual service projects include a toiletry drive in September to support the Fayette Council on Domestic Abuse Shelter, three non-perishable food drives to support the Fayette Samaritans Food Bank, a visit to Southland Nursing Home to bring holiday cheer, and making sandwiches in support of the Downtown Night Shelter. Beta Club also became a Soldier’s Angel in supporting the American Legion and VFW in donating foe soldier are packages for those serving in Iraq.

Ongoing projects each year include peer tutoring and teacher helper. Betas give their time to help fellow students in their studies through the tutoring program. Betas also spend many hours in pre- and post-planning helping teachers with a myriad of tasks. Also, individual Betas sign up as volunteers to help teachers on a regular basis. Beta members also serve the Booth PTO in many capacities throughout the school year.

Beta Club is an academic service organization that truly follows the club national motto, “Let us lead by serving others.” The Peachtree City chapter of Beta Club consistently and tirelessly does good work in the school community as well as the entire city.

PERFECTA “CATHY” WALTERS

Cathy Perfecta Walters has been a Cahves County RSVP volunteer since April, 1998. She has accrued over 5600 hours of service to the Roswell Community, the state of New Mexico and nationally as the Disaster Chairman for the Rio Hondo Chapter of the American Red Cross. These hours do not include the time she has been in Florida helping with hurricanes that ravaged the state this summer. She arrived to help the victims of “Charlie” and stayed on to help with “Francis”. It appears that Cathy will be on hand for “Ivan”, as well.

During 2002, Cathy helped with several fires in New Mexico. She was the Trap and Ski Fire, the Kokopelli Fire and The Pinasco Fire. In 2004, she assisted with the Pepin Wildfire in New Mexico. She was a caseworker for the floods in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a caseworker and mass caregiver following the flooding in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Cathy goes wherever there is a need.

She is an instructor for Adult, Infant, and Child CPR. For three (3) years Cathy has participated in Super CPR Saturday in Roswell, New Mexico. Additionally, she helps each year with the American Red Cross’s largest fundraiser, selling roses. Not only is she a volunteer for them, she also is a board member for Lend-A-Hand, Inc., a member of the Chaves County RSVP Advisory Group, and a Eucharistic Minister for St. Peter’s Church doing prison ministry.

For four years Cathy helped package and distribute food for the St. Peter’s Good Samaritan Food Program. During that time period, she worked 399 hours helping the hungry receive the food, medicine and clothing they needed.

Last, but not least, Cathy worked in the RSVP office as a volunteer doing clerical work. Her help in the office, on the RSVP Foundation and as a board member on the Chaves County Advisory Group resulted in 513 hours of service to that organization.

JOSEPH LEWRIGHT

Joe Lewright is a man with a generous heart, an indomitable spirit and a love for his community.

Two years ago he decided to participate in Akzo Nobel’s National Benevolence Program. Through this program, Akzo Nobel encourages body shops to repair a damaged vehicle and then donate it to a needy family in their community. Akzo Nobel provides the cost of the paint, if the body shop employees volunteer their labor. Joe took the idea one step further encouraging parts vendors to discount the repair parts or donate them if possible. The response was heartwarming.

Asked to help out too, an insurance company donated six months of liability coverage. Joe also enlisted the help of Child, Inc., an organization which promotes responsible parenting. The organization nominated families who needed the cars and the body shop employees selected who would receive the car. The presentation was the week before Christmas. Child, Inc. arranged for media coverage and several local dignitaries were invited to speak. The vendors received plaques honoring their participation. And so no one would feel left out, Joe also made sure there were Christmas gifts for the selected family’s children. The ambiance of that day was smiles and goodwill all around. Joe said he had never felt happier and vowed to do it again in 2003, which he did.

For 2004, Joe challenged other body shops to follow his lead. He has persevered, offering encouragement and assistance when needed. He and a representative of Child, Inc. have spoken on a national level to promote participation. This year in Austin five body shops will give a car to the needy people. Child, Inc. will again be sponsoring the families and coordination the presentation which will be held in a city auditorium in December.

Joe has worked tirelessly on this because he cares for his community and is determined to help where he can. One person can make a difference. One person can be a Point of Light.