DAISY HENRY

Daisy Henry is a senior adult who has a unique way of turning negative situations into positive ones. This five foot three inch soft-spoken woman is caring and openly helpful to everyone she meets. Though she is not large in stature, she is huge in character and compassion; and she always gets the job done.

Ms. Henry is the President of Joy With Love Outreach Center. She saw the needs of her community and established the center in 1996. Ms. Henry set up, ran and evaluated this program with the help of her Board Members. The Outreach center provides a safe haven for those in the community that need some assistance. She has an After School Homework Program that shows children the importance of education. Ms. Henry has also implemented an Anger Management Program that enables families to communicate openly and solve issues in a productive manner. One of her newest programs is a monthly workshop for youth. Another program is the Library Appreciation Program, which is an opportunity for the children to learn, familiarize themselves with their Bunnell Library and to enhance their thirst for knowledge.

In addition to the outreach at the center, Ms. Henry has begun an Environment Awareness Program and is in the process of facilitating a Computer Technology Lab for the children’s research and for the adults to enhance their career opportunities. Ms. Henry also is a Pastor of The Spirit of Truth, Inc. and is a Commissioner sitting on the Board of Commissioners for the City of Bunnell. Ms. Henry is on the Coalition Board of Flagler/Volusia counties, Communities in Action Coalition, Flagler Area Ministerial Alliances (FAMA) and the Homeless Coalition Board of Flagler/Volusia Counties. She also attends meetings with other organizations so she can network and increase her contacts that can help support her work in the community.

Ms. Henry works hard to address education, self-worth and community issues in this area. Many individuals have gained knowledge, wisdom and comfort from her counseling, especially those who are incarcerated. Ms. Henry cooks and delivers hot meals for the needy. She also provides transportation and tutoring for after school homework programs, maintains a free clothing closet, takes children on field trips and participates in Bunnell City Clean Up. Most people in their community and neighboring communities know her and the wonderful work she does and how much she gives of herself and her time.

MARSHALL BRINTON

The educational goal of the Nibley Park Elementary School is to improve math and reading scores. At this school, Marshall Brinton supports one of the teachers by helping struggling students in math. He works with small groups or individuals who are having a hard time with a math concept. He enjoys the challenge of finding a new way to present the problem so the child can better understand the concept. He also helps children read. He is constantly contributing information to add depth to the stories being read.

Mr. Brinton also enjoys challenging the bright students who finish their work early. He will bring problems or riddles from home to further challenge them. Every Monday and Wednesday morning, the class looks forward to the problem or riddle Mr. Brinton has written on the board. He also shared funny stories that bring smiles to the students’ faces.

Mr. Brinton brings enthusiasm and a love for learning to the classroom. He has often said that if he is not making a difference and helping he does not want to be there. He does not want to be given just “busy work.” He is genuinely concerned about the students and helping them to learn.

Mr. Brinton has a business background, owning an electric company, and his strength is in math. Five years ago, Mr. Brinton had a heart attack and had five bypass surgeries. At the age of 81, many did not expect him to return to the classroom. However, as soon as he was able, he returned to school to help students. He has even volunteered to tutor students during the summer months.

Mr. Brinton serves as a mentor to the students as well. He spends time at recess talking to the children one-on-one about their problems or interests. He builds self-confidence in the students and encourages them to do work that they never thought they could do.

In the school computer lab, there are headsets that the students constantly break. Mr. Brinton volunteered to take all the headsets home and fixed them so that the students could use them again. He has also attended after school programs such as the Books and Brownies Night in which students read to their parents or guardians. Mr. Brinton read with the students who didn’t have anyone to read to them and helped in any capacity where he was needed.

DENNY DEIBLER

Denny Deibler has been a faithful volunteer at Heartbeats and Hoofbeats Therapy for the past year and a half. He comes every Monday and volunteers for eight hours. Mr. Deibler is available no matter what the weather or how he is feeling so he can help with the disabled children.

Mr. Deibler’s duties range from cleaning out a horse stall to making sure treatment areas are clean. He also helps build handicapped accessible ramps and works one on one with the children while they are receiving therapy on horseback.

In order for the therapy to be successful, they have to have dedicated volunteers. The volunteers are vital and ensure the safety of the children. They also help with the myriad of chores that are necessary in this setting.

Each child that Mr. Deibler works with seems to connect with him. Because of his attitude, charisma and personality, he is always able to get the most effort out of the children he works with during their treatment sessions.

Heartbeats and Hoofbeats currently has 160 children with a variety of disabilities who are treated on a weekly basis. They have seen dramatic results in the child’s ability to perform certain tasks after being in the program. This strengthens their muscles and improves their mobility and coordination. They have even seen children who can now communicate for the first time in their lives due to their therapy.

Most of the children are able to be more functional at home and in school, and it has given them a tremendous sense of improved self-esteem. They are finally successful at something that is therapeutic as well as fun. The children are able to experience improved memory skills and can figure out how to complete several steps to complete a structured activity. After working with Mr. Deibler, the children do not feel so isolated in their wheelchairs, walkers or adaptive chairs. They can now interact physically and socially with Mr. Deibler and the other volunteers.

The children are treated one to two times per week and are in the program as long as they are mastering the goals that have been established for them. He helps make positive changes in the lives of children with disabilities and gives more happiness to their every day lives.

ROBERT OLSON

Robert Olson is a volunteer for the Academy of Finance magnet school program at Clark High School. He recognizes that the nation’s business future is in the hands of the youth so he created an opportunity for all students to have the very best business education possible in the Las Vegas community. Mr. Olson has helped to prepare students for the challenges ahead of them by exposing them to a wealth of business experiences and avenues that are available to them in Las Vegas.

As a Trustee for the Nevada Council on Economic Development, Mr. Olson first learned of the National Academy Foundation and the prospects of starting on similar in Las Vegas. From that moment on, he made it his goal for his unique educational opportunity to be available to high school students in Southern Nevada. He not only wanted the program available, but he wanted it to be exemplary and a model for other academies across the country.

Through Mr. Olson’s tireless efforts, the concept became a reality. Schools nationwide are now looking to the Academy of Finance at Clark High School for advice on how to create an advisory board comprised of business professionals, university professors, community partners, grade-school educators and the entire gamut that would represent the community at large. These members work together to provide internships, mentoring opportunities, scholarships and a course curriculum rich in its business class offering for students.

Mr. Olson started by assembling the Southern Nevada Academy of Finance Board. He recruited on the best- qualified, most committed partners who would be able to bring the financial resources and expertise to get the fledgling project off to an auspicious beginning. Under Mr. Olson’s direction, these business executives, educators and leaders in the public sector brought the National Academy Foundation’s lofty goals to local students and fulfilled a profound need. By 1997, Clark High School welcomed the first students to the new Academy of Finance (AOF).

Through the years that followed, Mr. Olson spent countless hours on campus speaking with students, evaluating curriculum and working with AOF teachers to ensure the objectives of the program were being met. He pounded the pavement to recruit business mentors and to secure internships positions for AOF students. Mr. Olson relentlessly promoted the AOF to the business sector to gain community support.

By 2001, the growth of the program was phenomenal. It was such as success that Mr. Olson promoted the hiring of a Mentor/Internship Coordinator, funded by the Southern Nevada Academy of Finance Board independent of the school district. Mr. Olson remains an active and supportive board member of the AOF today. He continues to work tirelessly bringing students, business executives and educators together to maintain an exemplary community partnership.

FOCUS AMERICA

Focus America is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation that is solely run by volunteers and develops and enhances the business acumen of young high school and college students who then go on to create, implement and manage their own community-service programs.

Shelly Zimmerman, a college professor at an all-women’s college in New Jersey, started focus America in October 2002. Zimmerman’s desire was to address business development needs of her undergraduate students. The primary concern of Focus America is to provide structured service learning opportunities for high school and college students while addressing the needs of low-income communities throughout the United States. In May of 2003, it was granted 501©3 nonprofit status by the IRS and it was retroactive to October 21, 2002 when the company was founded.

Focus America’s fledgling project focused on a poor community in Pembroke, Illinois when volunteers began collecting food, clothing, educational materials and school uniforms for the poverty-stricken children. That Christmas, volunteers collected and shipped more than 300 Christmas gifts for the children, most of whom had never experienced the joy and hope of this wonderful holiday.

In 2003, the organization turned their attention to the communities in their own backyard – northern New Jersey. In addition, they adopted Breast Cancer Research as the main medical project for volunteers. As a result, student volunteers have implemented programs that include but are not limited to providing free babysitting services for children of cancer victims, endorsing literacy for young Americans and mentoring first generation American youths.

Since its inception, the organization remains managed and run by volunteers. They have provided more than $300,000 in charitable services with overhead expenses of less than 1.5%. Focus America emphasizes two major programs annually. Project Pencils collects and distributes new backpacks filled with educational supplies to low-income children in New Jersey. During 2003, they supported 300 children and their goal for 2004 was 1,000. Project Holiday Cheer collects and distributes new holiday educational gifts as well as winter clothing to children in need in New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia and several other states. In 2003, Focus American supported in excess of 1,200 children, and their goal for 2004 is 2,000.

The program recently started a preschool for children aged 18 months to 4 years. Puzzle Pieces Playschool provides drop in babysitting for children of women going through cancer treatment. All proceeds are funneled back to the charity to fund the organization’s community-service programs.

In addition, Focus America runs special projects throughout the year including food collections for day laborers, literacy collections for schools in impoverished communities, cell phone collections for domestic violence victims, mentoring programs for young girls and nationwide book clubs held over the Internet.

MARLIESE THOMAS

One-tenth of all Americans will die of cancer, unless something is done to find a cure for this disease. According to the American Cancer Society, many types of cancer can be prevented through healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits. Education and research are the keys to prevention and, eventually, the eradication of cancer deaths.

Even though her father’s mother and father died of cancer, Marliese Thomas never considered cancer a viable threat to her mother’s security. On April 4, 2002, her mother called her at college and said two words – breast cancer. Just four days later, Marliese’s mother underwent major surgery involving a right mastectomy and reconstruction. The entire family had questions, and the American Cancer Society’s reputation was such that it was the first place Marliese looked for information. During the following two years, her mother would undergo chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, and operation on a surgical hernia. Recently, Marliese’s uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was isolated and removed.

In Spring 2003, Marliese returned to full-time status at Loyola University New Orleans. She found ways to work with the American Cancer Society, giving to others as they had given to her family. Her studies in public relations were invaluable, as she interned in the Kenner, La., office, volunteering more than 150 hours contacting local media about events and writing articles published in Health & Fitness magazine and the New Orleans Health Club Punch newsletter. An article about her involved with the Miss America system and community efforts, “Beneath the Crown,” was printed in Affaire de Coeur and Turn for the Judges, both national publications.

Marliese is also a trained spokesperson and community lobbyist for the American Cancer Society. She testified before the New Orleans City Council and remained in touch with her local representative, encouraging him to support a bill to restore local control of non-smoking areas. Louisiana taxpayers spend more than $1 million annually on healthcare for affected by smoked, either directly or secondhand, when less than 25% of the state population actually uses tobacco. As a result of Marliese’s lobbying efforts, the Louisiana State Hosue of Representatives passed an act allowing parishes to decide individually about making establishments non-smoking, except businesses where liquor is served. Marliese is also a guest speaker at civic meetings, schools and businesses, presenting a program of healthy living to prevent cancer development.

In October 2003, Marliese was a volunteer and team leader for the greater New Orleans Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Her team, the Theta Psi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Sorority for Women, was invited to sing the national anthem and raised pledges in honor of Marliese’s mother. Not only was the cancer survivor there to see them perform, she was able to walk the entire course with them. In May 2004, mother and daughter will be teammates with other family in the Cullman, Ala., Relay for Life. Marliese is currently seeking full-time employment with the American Cancer Society, not only to continue the work she has begun, but also to make her impact exponentially greater and long lasting.

AUSTIN ROBERTSON, JR.

For the past 40 years Austin Robertson Jr. has devoted his time and talents to community service projects focused on education and the prevention and treatment of addictive diseases including gambling, alcoholism and drug abuse. The programs and organizations for which he has served are diverse, but his actions have been polarized to turn hardship into hope.

Because of Mr. Robertson’s counseling and encouragement, the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling established CORE (Center of Recovery), a residential program that is both a place of help and hope for problem gamblers and their families. At its opening, CORE was the only state-funded facility of its kind in the United States. Mr. Robertson’s leadership in this area has further enabled the Association to open a similar facility in New Orleans. In addition, Mr. Robertson was instrumental in establishing the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Help Line, a 24 –hour 7 days a week program for referral and crisis intervention.

Mr. Robertson also is stabilizing force for the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana. His guidance in fundraising, capital expenditures, including acquisition of facilities to treat afflicted individuals and families, and day-to-day management maintain the Council’s focus on its mission to heighten public awareness that alcohol and other drug dependencies are preventable and treatable conditions. Under his direction, the Council’s operating budget has grown from $200,000 to an excess of $3,000,000. These funds enable the Council to help an average of 5,000 alcoholics and addicts to reclaim their lives.

Mr. Robertson also serves with Centenary College, which is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River. His tireless efforts on behalf of Centenary have enhanced the financial stability of the College and its Endowment funds, which in turn allows more students to avail themselves of outstanding educational and cultural opportunities. Through the establishment of a Pooled Income Fund, Mr. Robertson has greatly increased the College’s ability to attract and retain donors, regardless of means, who are interested in the future of America.

Mr. Robertson’s development of a Pooled Income Fund for First United Methodist Church of Shreveport enables members and non-members to contribute a modest amount towards the upkeep of the Church and the continuation of worthy community services that focus on preventative rather than curative. In addition, Mr. Robertson introduced the concept of a Pooled Income Fund to Red River Radio, which is a community-supported service of Louisiana State University in Shreveport. The station’s programming enriches the lives of the listeners and provides opportunity for personal growth by presenting materials that encourage new insights concerning life’s experiences and the relationship among individuals, society and the cultural environment.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD ALLIANCE, INC.

The Good Shepherd Alliance is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote self-sufficiency and empowerment in the Northern Virginia area. They do this by teaching those who are suffering from homelessness and poverty and helping them to realize their individual assets as well as the assets in the community. The Good Shepherd Alliance has been in the Northern Virginia community for more than 20 years and currently operates a number of programs and services for those suffering from poverty and homelessness. Their services include emergency and supportive housing, workforce and youth development, case management, crisis services, counseling, advocacy and community outreach.

The Alliance has received local, state and national recognition for its work with these special populations, including being featured in several dozen local, regional and national media outlets. Most recently, the Alliance was named the first “Shelter of Promise” in the United States by America’s Promise for its work in providing a safe environment for children and families. The National YMCA, one of only two in the state of Virginia, also named them a National Safe Place. In addition, the Alliance has been recognized as a national model in delivering services to the homeless and those living in poverty from such organizations as the Congressional Hunger Center, Civic Practices Network, Institute for Children and Poverty and the University of Massachusetts.

They identify this need through a variety of avenues and will continue to do so through a collaboration with four organizations: the Institute for Children and Poverty, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, the Union Seminary at Columbia University and the National Association of Community Action Agencies. These organizations are helping the Alliance to promote community dialogues called Dialogues on Poverty. These conversations bring community citizens together to promote action on behalf of those in transition and homeless. They have a lasting impact on the community, while in the short-term bringing these issues to the forefront of the community’s consciousness.

In 2003, the Alliance worked with more than 1,500 individuals and/or families through the various programs and services. Internally, the organization makes a commitment to having former homeless guests or former program participants on all levels of the organization’s leadership, including the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board. The Alliance continually acts as a beacon to the community for those that are often unheard. Most of the staff were formerly homeless, and this allows the organizations to help the guests obtain their goals in real ways.

Part of the programming includes an avenue for all program participants to volunteer or give back. The Alliance views civic engagement as an avenue to develop a deeper sense of community belonging, giving the low-income and homeless community members roots and a voice in the community. Often times, chronic homelessness is perpetuated by not giving those suffering a sense of community belonging. The Good Shepherd Alliance develops stronger community roots by empowering individuals to have a voice in the direction of the community for which they live. This has spawned various grassroots efforts by the homeless, including a voter registration drive and a homeless arts initiative.

OLEGARIO CANTOS, VII

Volunteer Olegario “Ollie” Cantos has been a Big Brother with Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters in Los Angeles (CBBBS), one of 460 affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), since 2000. Mr. Cantos was recently chosen as 2004 Big Brother of the Year by the 27 member agencies of the California Collaborative of Big Brothers Big Sisters. He exemplifies CBBBS’ mission of transforming lives through one-to-one mentoring relationships between a caring adult and a child in need.

Mr. Cantos’ entire life is about service and overcoming obstacles. His motivation for becoming a Big Brother stems from experiences surrounding growing up blind and realizing firsthand the value of mentoring. He writes: “As a blind child, life was difficult at times, not because of any barriers posed by my disability itself, but more accurately because of attitudes by some kids and adults about my blindness, which limited my opportunity for well-rounded growth.” Mr. Cantos has endured the physical and emotional obstacles of his blindness, yet has pursued his goals and achieved them. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, and has received numerous awards and commendations for volunteer service.

Mr. Cantos understands well the positive effect a caring adult can have on the life of the child. He epitomizes the successes to which numerous mentoring studies give testimony. He is Big Brother to two boys – Seth, now 14, and Vicente, who is disabled due to a traumatic brain injury caused by a car accident when he was very young. Vicente is now 19 years old.

Over the years, the pairs have done just about every activity imaginable – from playing catch to going to the movies, from community service to just hanging out together. Mr. Cantos’ personal disability has never inhibited activity and as he does all things, Mr. Cantos engages his Littles with unbridled enthusiasm, energy, optimism and joy.

Mr. Cantos says: “More than ever, kids these days need positive role models to go to for advice, help guide them on a path to a solid future, and be a buddy to them in good times and in bad. I truly believe that, with the right level of commitment firmly in place, disability becomes immaterial. Indeed, that is exactly what has happened. It’s the quality time that’s most important.” He continues, “As far as I am concerned, these awesome buddies of mine ARE my little brothers, not just as part of the program in name only, but as brothers in every sense of the word. In a very real way, I have adopted them, and these adoptions are for life!”

Now residing in the Washington, D.C. area, Mr. Cantos continues to maintain communication with both his Little Brothers, often talking to them for hours at a time. On August 6, he stepped down as General Counsel and Director of Programs to the 90,000-member American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) where he provided advocacy and legal counsel to people with disabilities at a national level and served as the International Coordinator for Disability Mentoring Day. Just yesterday, he began service as the new Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Justice. President George W. Bush and Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao have recognized him for his work.

DORIS FREDIEU

Doris Fredieu is an employee of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Lompoc, California. She is the epitome of a volunteer as she continually volunteers in many different arenas, both at work and home. She has been involved with the Affirmative Action Committee as the Federal Women Program Manager (FWP) since 2000 at FCC Lompoc. During her tenure as FWP Manager, she has been a key player in the success of the current FCC Lompoc Affirmative Action Committee. Her dedication and professionalism to the program are beyond reproach.

Fredieu was instrumental in developing and organizing the gathering of Christmas gifts for needy children in the annual “Angel Tree” charity. As a result of her dedication and can do spirit, Fredieu was able to collect gifts from staff for over 110 children in the local community. She also organized a Christmas party for children of the Marks House, a local homeless shelter, where she collected a pair of shoes and Christmas stocking for each of the more than 15 children.

During the holiday season, Fredieu was also responsible for collecting food items to make Thanksgiving meals for the local women’s shelter. There was enough food to provide ten meals for the families who resided there.

Fredieu is also actively involved with the Lompoc School District. She helps as a volunteer for the Junior Achievement Program for the 9th grade class at the local high school. She has also been a judge for the Senior Class projects for the local high school. Fredieu is also a volunteer for the community’s literacy program, where she spends her personal time assisting adults who cannot read and write.

A school supply drive was a success due to Fredieu’s dedication. She implemented, organized and coordinated the donations of 15 backpacks filled with school supplies for a local homeless shelter for children. As a result of the overwhelming response to her request, there were additional school supplies donated. She has also been actively involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Daffodil Days.

Fredieu also implemented a recognition program for outstanding students from both local high schools to be awarded during Women’s History Month. She also established a fundraising committee for scholarships of the children of staff at FCC Lompoc. Due to her determination and dedication, the committee raised over $2,000 that was given out to the students.