THE EPISCOPAL / ANGLICAN CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION – SLIGO PARISH

Ascension began a tutoring program in 1991 after polling neighborhood families to ask what program would be useful to them. Tutoring for children was the most requested service. Ascension contacted the staff at neighboring East Silver Spring Elementary School (ESS), and established the present tutoring program in partnership with the Parent-Teacher Association.

Ascension members Suzanne Hood and Dr. Clara Wing, both professional educators, coordinate the program. ESS School staff identifies children who can profit by individual tutoring, collects information about their needs, and maintains a waiting list. Ms. Hood and Dr. Wing recruit the volunteer tutors, train them, and assign on child to each tutor. They provide ongoing guidance to tutors and communicate with the classroom teachers about each child’s progress.

The tutoring takes place on Saturday mornings and on Wednesday afternoons in the church Sunday School rooms at 630 Silver Spring Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Children work one-on-one with tutors on reading and writing, skills, and math skills if appropriate. The program maintains a large book collection and a computer lab with educational software that children and tutors use together. The individual attention from an adult is important for the children, and they enjoy snacks and play during their break, as well as the academic work.

The Tutoring program had seven children and seven tutors in 2003-2004. In June 2004, 100% of the children’s teachers enthusiastically reported that the program helped the child both in reading/language arts skills and in study skills.

Dr. Wing, who speaks Spanish and French, handled communications with the students’ parents, many of whom could not speak English. This led to the creation of an ESL program for adults at Ascension. The Literacy Council of Montgomery County trains volunteers for this program. Each student is asked to pay $15 at the beginning, which goes to the Literacy Council to cover part of the cost of the textbooks, but there is no weekly or yearly charge to students. Ascension’s ESL teachers also meet several times a year as a group to share ideas and discuss challenges.

ESL teachers find their work fascinating and rewarding. The contact with people from another culture enriches their lives, and we find it exciting to watch students progress from the early stages of learning English to a command of the language that opens doors for them in the workplace, enables them to help their children with school work, and allows them to participate more fully in the community.

G. BRENT MINOR

G. Brent Minor, Vice President of Business Development of LaSalle Bank of Chicago, serves on the national Board of Trustees of the March of Dimes. March of Dimes’ trustees, who serve as volunteers, represent the public in governing the organization and advancing its mission to save babies from birth defects, infant mortality and premature birth.

Since 1980, Minor has been a volunteer leader with the March of Dimes and has served in various capacities. He is currently a member-at-large of the National Office of Volunteers and President Society’s Liaison. At the local level, he has served as a board member of both the Illinois Chapter and the Chicago Division and Chair of the Nominating Committee. He has held membership on various committees including Executive Walk, Finance, Revenue Development, Star Chefs and Public Affairs. At the regional level, he served as Chair of the Public Affairs Committee and Regional Chair of the National Office of Volunteers. At the national level, he served as a member of the National Board of Advisors from 2000-2003.

Minor is the founding Chair of the National Office of Volunteers and was its Chair for three years. In this capacity, he was the liaison to many chapters, providing leadership in volunteer and revenue development. In addition, he serves as the liaison to the Puerto Rico Chapter, assisting them with developing volunteers and boards, raising revenue, and working with local government and health professionals.

Minor is an exceptional volunteer who is willing to take on any task for the March of Dimes, no matter how large or small. He has identified countless key company contacts for sponsorship of WalkAmerica, March of Dimes, largest fundraiser, and other fundraising events. He has also recruited dignitaries to chair program events. When the Illinois Division office was without an Executive Director for nearly a year, Minor provided guidance for staff and volunteers to ensure smooth operation. He is the advisor and mentor for volunteers across the country. He is also a trainer and presenter on volunteer development and fund raising for both staff and volunteers.

For the last 13 years, under Mr. Minor’s leadership, LaSalle Bank has been a March of Dimes national WalkAmerica team. In 2003, the bank raising over $600,000 and in 2004 increased that figure to $355,000, and they’re still counting. LaSalle Bank is one of the largest WalkAmerica team in Illinois and one of the largest national bank teams.

In recognition of Minor’s commitment to the March of Dimes, he has received many awards. In 1991, he was recipient of two distinguished awards: the first national recipient of the Elaine Whitelaw Volunteer Service Award, the highest award a March of Dimes volunteer can receive; and the President’s Award for Excellence. In 1995, he received Illinois’ Distinguished Service Award. In 1998, he received the Harry E. Green Lifetime Achievement Award in Illinois, representing a minimum of 15 years of dedicated service. This October, he will be cited as Signature Chefs Honoree.

JEROME SILBER

Jerome (Jerry) Silber has been a March of Dimes volunteer since 1987 and truly represents the ability of one volunteer to make a difference. He started as a member of the New York State Westchester/Fairfield County Division Board. Currently, Mr. Silber is a member of the Greater New York Chapter’s Executive Committee and Revenue Co-chair of the WalkAmerica Executive Committee. He is also a member of the National Office of Volunteers and a Northern Regional Representative.

Jerry Silber, in his capacity as Revenue Co-chair of the WalkAmerica Executive Committee, has been instrumental in coordinating Citigroup’s national team to raise funds on behalf of the March of Dimes. Four years ago, Citibank made a corporate decision to no longer endorse any walking events, including March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Jerry Silber decided to take it upon himself to “be bold for babies.” Mr. Silber lined up key executives, secured private endorsements and added Citigroup’s seven other businesses to the Citibank WalkAmerica effort, resulting in a phenomenal campaign. In 2003, Citigroup raised over $2 million, and in 2004, they raised over $2.8 million, and still counting.

In addition to coordinating the Citigroup team, Jerry Silber also played an important role in integrating two March of Dimes division offices and later integrating a division office with the state chapter office. Along the way, he helped to launch annual giving and even served as local WalkAmerica Chair for several years. At the 2002 March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference, he was awarded the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award.

In his capacity as a member of the National Office of Volunteers, Jerry Silber travels throughout the northern region on behalf of the March of Dimes to speak at various venues. He serves as Co-chair of the initiative to increase youth participation in WalkAmerica and is a mentor to the chair of the National Youth Council.

Jerry Silber’s passion for improving the lives of America’s mothers and babies has resonated across the country. As a result of his dedication and leadership, more money will go to research and programs to improve the health of babies.

James E. Kokas

Jim Kokas is a Vietnam veteran who decided years ago that no soldier, sailor, airman or Marine should ever depart or return from overseas without knowing that someone appreciated their commitment. Jim received his opportunity when he was approached to help organize the military processing center at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside California. Jim personally organized a fleet of charitable organizations and corporate donors to provide emotional support and other assistance to deploying troops and their families.

In 2003, Jim touched the lives of more than 77,000 troops and arranged for more than 17,988 tons of supplies for deploying service members and their families. Working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as the state of California’s VFW Southern area volunteer Military Assistance Program (MAP) chairman and the Salvation Army, more than 1.5 million personal items were distributed. Jim worked with Cingular Wireless and the VFW to provide some 7,000 hours of telephone communications using calling cards and cell phones to keep the troops connected with their families at home. This effort alone has enabled fathers and mothers to stay in touch with their children, filling what could have been a great emotional void during long overseas deployments.

Already in 2004, Jim and his band of volunteers, agencies and corporate donors have provided 32,000 gift packs and another 8,000 tons of needed assistance. Everything from food to baby wipes have been donated to families, many of whom are living on less than half of the breadwinner’s normal pay. This kind of support is particularly significant to a mother of a new family who is left alone to care for them and cannot work because of the age of her children. In addition to the supplies, Jim’s phalanx of volunteers has given these families comfort, advice and often an ongoing relationship that will likely continue for years.

In addition to the supplies and moral support, Jim has organized large “send-off” and “welcome home” celebrations for tens of thousands of military personnel. Fulfilling his heart’s desire that no troops would depart or return without sufficient recognition, Jim’s well-organized events are the envy of deploying troops all across the U.S.

Through Jim’s efforts, and abandoned hanger at March AFB was converted into “support central,” a place where deploying and returning troops and their families can rest, enjoy a snack and receive encouragement from hundreds of volunteers working round-the-clock to ensure no service member or family is missed.

The thousands of hours and personal funds that Jim Kokas has committed for the past two years have earned him the respect and cooperation of the military commanders at march AFB. He has brought dozens of corporations and non-profit organizations forward to help America’s heroes, heroines and their families. Through Jim’s efforts, thousands of individuals from the surrounding community have taken a personal interest in the lives of America’s men and women in uniform. The long-term impact of Jim’s work remains to be seen as these very personal relationships grow over the years.

SAN AGUSTIN DEL COQUI, INC.

After offering workshops during 1990 to children in public and private residence (housings) as well as to diverse communities and their experience with youth retreats, the Augustinian Sisters chose to work with the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Their vision is to prevent secondary wounds to abused and neglected children and youngsters whom have experienced maltreatment so that they will not suffer the consequences of being victimized again by their parents, tutor, or by the institutions responsible or their well-being. With this vision the Augustinian Sisters have intervened offering education to the minor’s support network. They work with their biological parents to teach them and provide them with tools that will help them care, discipline and supervise their children as well as to help them on their personal development. They also have worked with minor’s case manager, foster parents and teachers so that they can be sensitive to their needs and to respond appropriately to their special needs.

They have worked directly with over 3,700 abused and neglected minors on Support and Sustain workshops called M.E.T.A.S, in Spanish. Through these workshops the have accomplished developing on minor’s a sense of belonging, a healthy self-esteem and development and desire to earn an honest livelihood through study and education.

The Augustinian Sisters have taken responsibility working with mistreated minors on three levels of prevention: education, high risk and treatment. They have defended the minors and they have mediated on behalf of them at the Court of Puerto Rico, so that they consider their well-being, permanency and security. The Sisters also worked to obtain funds through the Children Trusteeship for the construction of a Shelter and Training Center for the abused and neglected children and their supporting network.

The Sisters also have developed two programs for the community. The first program is Families on Supporting Groups, which trains facilitators for a social service agency to help them, work with these groups. They also created the San Agustin del Coqui, Inc. Family Reunification Program, which works with rescued minors, their support network and biological parents to help them overcome the behaviors and problems which guided them to become abusive, negligent of mistreating people. The Sisters and a social worker train and counsel biological parents, foster parents and children. As a result, 165 children returned to their biological home achieving 67% reunification during year 2003.

They initiated the publication and free distribution to the community of a magazine in which they and other professionals contribute with articles of interest about the mistreatment subject to educate people about its negative impact. Additionally, the Sisters installed a library providing free service to the community of Aguas Buenas open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with more than 5,000 books available. Children, adults, and homeless children receiving tutoring courses have access to books and Internet for their schoolwork. This library is truly a learning center for the community.

James Milton Jennings

A college professor for 12 years and a pastor for 9 years, Pastor Jennings has provided volunteer religious programming for the Forrest City Federal Correction Complex Low and camp inmate populations since January 1998.

Pastor Jennings has fostered and exemplary partnership involving community programs, citizen volunteers, and programs. His contributions to the local community and the institution are vast and multifarious. Through his commitment to the Bureau and the community, volunteer participation has tripled representing the Church of God at Forrest City. Currently, 35 volunteers provide programming and services to the inmate population. This citizen involvement continues to rank Forrest City among the leaders in the South Central Region for the number of badge volunteers.

Pastor Jennings’s ability to motivate inmates and boost community involvement has translated into achieving program goals. He targeted and recruited volunteers to provide services needed to enhance Religious Services programming for the entire population from activation to present. These volunteers joined a coalition of citizens who donate their fellowship to assist in 15 to 20 faith-based programs. Additionally, Pastor Jennings’s holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern University, a Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas and a Doctoral of Education from Vanderbilt University.

Achievements in orchestrating volunteer programs have profited the institution by providing community contacts for the Mock Job Fairs, Release Preparation Program, and Adult Continuing Education programs. Namely, Pastor Jennings has sought out local business personnel and organizations to instruct classes and facilitate job-readiness programs. Under Pastor Jennings guidance, the local community has volunteered their time to donate to numerous community projects and service organizations.

As religious services volunteer, Pastor Jennings has served as a representative for several local community boards and organizations. He also has served as a professor of Education and History at Hendrix College, Life Skills Seminar Instructor for the Arkansas State Prison system, Church of God Youth Leader, adult Sunday School teacher, choir director and community Bible class instructor.

These efforts are testimony to Pastor Jennings’s commitment to the volunteer program and he should be commended for his ability to foster organizational and community goals.

LAVONNE SEKELIK

LaVonne Sekelik has performed over 8,200 volunteer service hours at Ogden Regional Medical Center in various capacities. She has been working in the Encore Shop for years. After she began to work there, Sekelik realized they were in jeopardy of closing due to a lack of staffing, she recruited her husband Ed; and they permanently accepted the most difficult shift. When the shop buyer needed help, Sekelik added the responsibility of ordering merchandise. When the president-elect position was unexpectedly vacated, Sekelik filled the heavy responsibilities of both president and president-elect for an entire year. When the fund-raising chairman fell ill the same year, Sekelik then picked up the reins and organized fund-raisers. It seems as though she adds new responsibilities at least once a month and sometimes weekly.

In addition to her work at Ogden Regional Medical Center, Sekelik serves on the board of the St. Benedict’s Foundation. This foundation is responsible for funding many women and children’s community programs. Sekelik has learned about accounting, purchasing, pricing, contracts, marketing, and business plans. She is well rounded, and has made herself very valuable in matters pertaining to hospital and community programs. She’s not shy about addressing needs. When she learned that the Ogden Rescue Mission was short of turkeys for families in need at Christmas, on the spur of the moment, she arranged for funds to meet the need.

Sekelik is pro-active in seeking ways to “give back” to the community. She has a huge humanitarian heart, but most importantly she takes care of other volunteers. Sekelik is good at sensing when someone is heavy hearted and looks for opportunities to uplift and help others by writing appreciation notes, offering small gifts, taking care of others needs, or giving genuine compliments.

Sekelik is perpetually positive no matter the situation. She is known for never becoming discouraged. One day while volunteering Sekelik got hurt and had to go the Emergency Room with a broken wrist. At the very same time, her husband Ed was in the ER, where he learned he had brain cancer. In spite of the traumatic morning, the couple insisted on filling their volunteer commitment that day. (The hospital sent them home to rest).

Because she is in perpetual service, no one would guess that Sekelik is battling with an unseen enemy – cancer. She expects it will win some day. “Knowing ahead that my life may be shortened by cancer actually gives me a better perspective, and the focus to devote myself to things most important in life. Obviously, volunteering is one of those things,” says Sekelik. Although she received regular cancer treatments, she has not missed one volunteer day. Her dear husband, and fellow volunteer, was not so fortunate. He passed away in September 2003. Sekelik’s coping strategy is to volunteer more! The Ogden community is truly blessed by her unselfish service.

EDNA DEBARDELABEN

Edna Debardelaben is active in the Pasa Robles community. She has helped planned special celebrations, works on various boards and is an active member of RSVP. She has also helped served the homeless and works to ensure seniors are aware of what resources are available to them.

Debardelaben planned and directed the Dr. Martin Luther King celebration in Paso Robles. She also made a presentation to the RSVP Project Advisory Council about her activities as a senior center volunteer and planner for the celebration. Debardelaben has been instrumental in the promotion and celebration of the Juneteenth celebration, which commemorates the date the slaves in Texas became aware of the emancipation proclamation.

The Second Baptist Church in Paso Robles has a food pantry. Debardelaben supports this as well as their homeless project. She collects and distributes food and helps those in transition to fin housing and employment.

With regards to her service to the elderly, Debardelaben serves with the Senior Nutrition Program. Her duties include but are not limited to being an official hostess and greeter. Debardelaben shows new clients to the table and makes introductions. She performs these tasks with sensitivity to the needs of the new and current diners. In that capacity she socializes with the clients, sometimes provides entertainment and helps the site manager with awards and recognition. She has made the nutrition program at the Center one of the most attended and successful of all the nutrition sites in the Central Coast region.

Debardelaben is also an avid supporter of Seniors Against Investment Fraud (SAIF). SAIF is a program sponsored by RSVP to help get the word out to seniors about the various ways they can be scammed. She helped promote the SAIF meeting sponsored by RSVP in the Paso Robles area. In addition, Debardelaben serves the Center by providing Bingo. The residents look forward to Bingo four times a month on every Wednesday. She secured the help of a local radio personality as “caller,” and her help has caused the event to be a marked success.

Debardelaben is also a member of the Paso Robles Senior Advisory Board of the City Parks and Recreation Department. IN this capacity she keeps aware of the needs of the community and helps to facilitate problem solving to meet community needs.

Debardelaben has an electrifying personality and an ability to recruit and engage others to serve. She has a sincere concern for the welfare of anyone in need, and that is demonstrated in how she lives her life. She is reliable, dedicated and trustworthy. Because of Debardelaben’s volunteer service, she was named Roblan of the Month and Senior of the Year.

DANIELLE MILLER

Danielle Miller, 17, a junior at Sacred Heart Academy, founded a service organization called the “National Awareness Committee” to provide clothing, books and other needed items to members of the Lakhota Sioux Nation living on a reservation in South Dakota.

Danielle became aware of the Lakhotas’ needs during a school presentation by the Native American Support Effort (NASE) when she was in eighth grade. “The details and photographs moved me to tears,” said Danielle. “I never realized the abundance of crisis in my own country.”

Danielle immediately offered to volunteer with NASE, but was too young to go on a mission to the reservation. Later she realized she could accomplish a great deal in her own community to help the Lakhotas. She planned and organized five collection drives at local schools and in nearby communities, and gathered enough clothing, blankets, kitchenware, bicycles and books to fill a 52-foot truck. Danielle recruited volunteers to help sort, pack and load the donations, and personally accompanied the shipment to the Rosebud Reservation in southern South Dakota. She also raised more than $2,000 to pay for the transportation, and to make a documentary film that will be used to make even more people aware of the Lakhota situation.

KEVIN FERRY

Kevin Ferry is a 14 year-old eighth-grader at Palmer Junior Middle School. He single-handedly started a newspaper-recycling program at his school. Last year he was walking to the cafeteria and found a newspaper all over the ground. He thought about the fact that the school gets about 100 newspapers every day. Evidently most of them go into the garbage each day. That sparked the idea to start a newspaper-recycling program. After discussing his idea with principals, teachers and janitors at his school, Kevin began spending two hours a week placing collection boxes in classrooms, and then transporting used papers to a local recycling center (with help from his mother). This year, Kevin is using bins on wheels to handle the heavy loads. Kevin said he plans to take his recycling project to the local high school next year and also will work to ensure that it continues at his middle school. He learned the responsibility of a job, and that appreciation comes from her service to the school, the community and through hard work.