Join us for the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Oct 13 in Washington DC

JUDY BABCOCK

Judy Babcock has been a literacy volunteer for the BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) Program for more than three years. BookPALS, one of the fastest growing literacy programs in the country, is an all-volunteer program administered by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, the charitable, educational and humanitarian arm of the Screen Actors Guild.

Babcock is an active BooKPAL who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to stimulate children’s interest in reading and to encourage them to read on their own. Not only does Babcock read to and mentor more than 500 “at-risk” children every week of the school year, she also facilitates Accelerated Reader Programs, Reading is Fundamental Projects and Family Reading Programs. She does all of this voluntarily, without benefit of salary or stipend.

As a retired drama teacher and performer, Babcock knows intuitively how to communicate her love of books to children. She often dresses in character, sings and “performs” the stories, and uses props and interactive books to engage the children. Teachers say she nurtures language skills and increases literacy. The children say she offers them something that is FUN – being read to by a performer who can really make stories come alive! It is clear that Babcock firmly believes that every child should get the same chance for success. Babcock may not always realize it, but the fact that she continues to go to schools and reliably “deliver” drama and excitement through reading adds to the children’s inner motivation to learn how to read.

Sadly, the children in Florida have scored at the bottom of the list of states across the nation in literacy. More than half of Florida’s fourth graders read below their grade level. Children who cannot read independently by the end of third grade have greatly diminished chances of ever catching up; they face higher risks of delinquency and dropping out. This problem adversely affects the community. Low literacy skills weaken the economy, contribute significantly to the crime rate, and increase the need for higher taxes to sustain social services for the chronically unemployed.

As a BookPAL volunteer, Babcock is working the front lines to combat illiteracy and the problems it creates, particularly in at-risk, underprivileged communities. Children at the early elementary school levels are just beginning to develop reading skills. Reading is often very hard work for the children in the program. Babcock’s role as reader and storyteller sometimes contrasts sharply with some of the children’s own felt experiences of grappling to learn basic reading skills. Because Babcock reads aloud, she makes it easier for children to grasp the basic idea that sounds and written symbols correspond to each other. Babcock helps bridge the gap between words on the page and words that are spoken and make sense. She is showing and telling at the same time. Babcock is a resource for children who need encouragement to keep working on breaking the reading code.

DR. RALPH MONTGOMERY

Dr. Ralph Montgomery has shown commitment and accomplishment like few others in the state of Utah. He is the founder of Salt Lake Donated Dental Services (SLDDS), the largest volunteer dental clinic in the county. Borne of a Rotary mission to the Philippines, the Clinic has evolved and provided more than $6 million worth of care to 30,000 low-income individuals. In partnership with community members, Dr. Montgomery built a state of the art Free Indigent Dental Clinic paid for by private donations.

Dr. Montgomery no longer practices dentistry; however, he serves as Chairman of the Board for SLDDS and as a dental consultant. He rarely misses a meeting or any other opportunity to further the mission of the clinic. His approach to providing free full service dental care to the indigent returns $4 worth of valued care to the community for each $1 donated. Using this information at a capacity of 9,000 patients and approximately 27,000 procedures, SLDDS could fashion a 10 to 1 return on investment. The operation of this clinic is now being used as a pattern in other communities.

In addition to founding SLDDS and serving on the board for Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, Dr. Montgomery has also worked to mobilize others in the medical community. At the beginning of the free clinic in 1990 he called upon 60 successful dentist friends to serve and 56 of those colleagues responded favorably. Over the past 13 years, a total of 200 dental professionals have volunteered to serve at the clinic.

Dr. Montgomery has been successful in treating those in need in his community, and in the process has overcome many crises that have surfaced for the new agency. However, the greatest challenges may still lie ahead as there are 115,000 still uninsured or underserved in the community. He is committed to meet that challenge.

He has been acknowledged and honored because of his work in the community. Most recently the Murray Rotary Club honored him. He lives his life with the mottos, “Service Above Self” and “Things spoken by the heart can be heard by the heart.”

ARIANNE ELLERBE

Louisiana’s juvenile incarceration rate ranks the highest in the nation while the well being of its children ranks among the worst. Child development research concludes that positive adult involvement in children’s lives prevents delinquency and rehabilitates destructive behavior. Reversing negative trends among Louisiana’s youth requires ordinary citizens to make a difference in the lives of individual children and to work for reform in a failing juvenile justice system.

Motivated by this immense social need, Arianne Ellerbe began volunteering at age 14 within the Louisiana criminal justice system and founded, “Break the Chain. . . Build a Bridge.” Her organization fulfills a tri-fold purpose: stop delinquency before it starts through effective prevention programs for at-risk youth; implement rehabilitative efforts that restore incarcerated youth to their families and communities; and provide a voice of advocacy.

As the volunteer coordinator of the Louisiana Attorney General’s “Know the Law” prevention program for youth, she is responsible for developing a teacher’s curriculum and marshaling efforts of attorneys and law students to implement the program in Louisiana middle schools. “Know the Law” instructs students on legal rights, responsibilities, and the harsh consequences of delinquency. Presenting motivational talks through her unique motivational presentation “StoryPics,” she encourages students to set and reach goals while giving back to others. This year, “StoryPics” has been used to impact the lives of hundreds of individuals all over Louisiana, from CEOs to students, soccer moms to prison inmates.

As director of a weekly faith-based life skills program for girls at Jetson Correctional Center in Baton Rouge (initiated April, 2000), Ellerbe serves as spiritual advisor/mentor to 75 girls and as aftercare/activities coordinator for Jetson’s short-term program. Her efforts there are focused on helping these talented and intelligent young women formulate goals for their return home and to reach their full potential as successful, contributing citizens. Graduates of the programs have become high school graduates, college students, and sought-after public speakers.

As a volunteer through the YouWho Coalition, legislation for which she lobbied passed during last year’s session, mandating a citizens’ task force aimed at reforming Louisiana’s juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Justice Commission has begun its work as Ellerbe continues to lobby and advocate for additional reforms, having been a featured speaker several times in commission meetings and legislative committee hearings regarding her work within the system. She assisted in the Commission’s lobbying efforts to pass a comprehensive resolution during this year’s legislative session that will reform the system.

Ellerbe has been a recipient of numerous local, state, and national recognitions for her efforts within the juvenile justice system: joint legislative resolution, gubernatorial proclamation, Blue Cross Angel Award, Louisiana Jaycees Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, LSU Volunteer Activist of the Year, YWCA Woman of Achievement, and most recently was named by the U.S. Jaycees as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans for 2003.

RSVP READING BUDDIES PROGRAM

In 1998 the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Monmouth County, New Jersey designed and initiated a shared-reading program involving eight caring volunteers working with 40 first-grade students. Since that time the Reading Buddies Program has evolved into a dynamic program involving 225+ adults interacting with 1400 preschool, kindergarten, first and second-graders in 15 area elementary schools. Three of the original readers are still participating in the program after 5 years.

It has been proven that reading aloud to children on a daily basis increases listening skills, builds language comprehension and improves attitudes toward reading. This increased level of listening and comprehension skills is the basis for mastering speaking and writing skills. Schools with low reading scores are targeted for participation in the program.

On a weekly basis, trained volunteer readers maintain a ratio of one reader per four students providing shared-reading sessions from October to May. Mirroring a mentoring program, the Reading Buddy continues with the same group of children for the entire school year. At all times the volunteer readers/ students remain under the supervision of the classroom teachers ensuring the integrity of the program. The program is considered an integral part of the school language arts program. This substantive program has resulted in an increased level of enthusiasm and interest in reading, often resulting in improved reading scores.

From President and Mrs. George W. Bush to Governor and Mrs. James F. McGreevey, increased emphasis has been placed on the importance of building literacy skills. Reading levels in New Jersey schools lag behind other areas, necessitating increased community involvement to provide positive role models who emphasize the importance and joy of reading. By providing trained, caring volunteers in the classrooms on a consistent basis, the students begin to feel empowered and practice newly-learned reading skills in a safe, caring setting. The Reading Buddies, representing a variety of careers and ages, are able to model for the children the pleasure to be derived from mastering reading skills and at the same time, present a variety of career paths available to students who master the art of reading.

In order to maintain and strengthen their reading skills over the summer months, the students are invited to choose free books to establish home libraries. The program volunteers and local businesses donate monies to fund the free book distribution. The full impact of the program is dynamically illustrated when the children eagerly choose their free books and rush to share them with their “reading buddies.” The RSVP Reading Buddies Program is helping to encourage reading with the students in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

CITIZENS ON PROACTIVE PATROL – MOUNT VERNON POLICE DEPT.

The Mount Vernon Police Department understands that in order to effectively police a community, the citizens must be empowered to take ownership of their community. Citizens on Proactive Patrol (COPP) is a group of volunteers who work with the Police Department to make the city a better place. They are an extension of the Department’s community policing efforts, and act as additional eyes, ears, and problem solvers, with their main focus on quality of life issues.

To become a member of COPP, individuals must attend a 12-week Citizen’s Academy sponsored by the Mount Vernon Police Department. Upon completion, they continue on with another five-week advanced training course, as well as a field-training period with selected, specially trained, veteran members of COPP.

Patrolling the city is one of the various duties of COPP. Members commit to two four-hour patrol shifts per month, and work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon and evenings. They patrol in pairs in one of the two former police cars that have had the light bar and siren removed. The cars are equipped with police radios, bicycle racks, and a directional light bar in the back window, and are marked “Citizen’s Patrol.” Members carry portable police radios and cellular telephones while patrolling neighborhoods, parks, schools, and business areas. When they notice anything out of the ordinary, they radio a police officer to respond and check out the situation.

COPP has many duties beyond patrolling the city. They post abandoned vehicles to be towed; pick up found bicycles; assist officers with traffic control; enforce handicapped parking and graffiti abatement. COPP volunteers also work selected special events throughout the year. They help with traffic control for Halloween Downtown, the Mount Vernon High School Homecoming Parade, and the Christmas Parade. They have also assisted with Youth Appreciation Day and several Child Safety Seat Clinics.

COPP recently expanded their services and added an emergency team that could respond to incidents before or after their normal patrol hours. Eight members volunteered to be on a list to be called out any time a need arose. An initial meeting was held and the group decided that when called, in order to be effective they would need to be able to respond to the Mount Vernon Police Department within 30 minutes. At that point, they dubbed themselves the “No-Wait 8.” Members of this group have been called into service for fires, power lines down, and fatality traffic accidents. Members were even called out to search for evidence from a homicide scene, which they found.

The Police Department credits two of their COPP volunteers with helping to send a burglar to prison. They were on patrol when they spotted the front glass doorframe forced off. They called the 911 Center, which dispatched police officers. When officers arrived, they found the burglar inside the building with $3,500 worth of merchandise. The Mount Vernon community has truly benefited from COPP’s activities. During the 2001-2003 calendar years, members provided nearly 7,000 hours of volunteered service.

MARIETTA GOINES

Marietta Goines has been feeding the needy of Preston County for nearly 20 years. Goines did this alone for several years initially; however, recently her sister also became involved. Goines’ sister has reached out to the Preston County Inn, and they, too became a part of the solution in Preston County. The Inn provided the food and a facility to have dinner. Goines then moved the cooking and feeding to the Preston County Country Club. They now have space at the church “Love Chapel” to continue to feed those in need.

Goines enjoys cooking for her community. After working for the Headstart program at Howesville, she saw how many families were in need in the community. This resulted in her decision to serve meals during the holiday season. Goines began her annual meal for the community during the early 1980’s, and she is continuing today. Unfortunately each year there are still so many in need that the event has grown.

In addition to the annual Thanksgiving Dinner, Goines has also brought another program to the community to meet the need of struggling families. In August of 2002, the BLO Food Share dissolved; but Goines quickly organized a community effort to keep the program running. She and other volunteers organized monthly sign-ups and distributions of food. Participants give two hours of community service and $17 in cash or food stamps and they get $30 – $35 worth of wholesome food.

Goines also established The Love Way Food Pantry. Camp Galilee work group started working on a building and made a project out of the food pantry. Other people in the community have given support and now Goines’ vision of The Love Way Food Pantry is a reality. She now also works at The Love Way Food Pantry and enlists the help of anyone else who will share their time to serve others.

BOSSIER PARISH SHERIFF’S POSSE

Sheriff Larry Deen formed the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Posse in 1995 and the visibility of its members has helped make Bossier Parish one of the safest places to live in Louisiana. The Posse is a group of 270 retired men who volunteer their time to patrol the parish. They are in uniform, purchased at their own cost, and drive marked cars.

Wike-Strange VFW Post 5099 of Plain Dealing, Louisiana has 13 members who volunteer with the Posse. This is one of their most important contributions to the Community Activities programs. These dedicated Posse members, many of them former military men, are trained to perform CPR, report accidents, preserve crime scenes, assist with funeral escorts, and check the homes of vacationing citizens. The following is a list of Wike-Strange VFW Post 5099 members who are members of the Posse and the number of volunteer hours they have completed to date:

  • Harry Stevens – 2,200 hours
  • William Robinson – 900 hours
  • Del Rester – 1,434 hours
  • John Mood – 892 hours
  • Davis McCall – 1,072 hours
  • Joe Van, Jr. – 1,075 hours
  • Lewis Whipple – 1,122 hours
  • Glenn White – 708 hours
  • Early Lunsford – 1,566 hours
  • Jerry Larsen – 761 hours
  • George Finck, 1,122 hours
  • Bill Budwam – 956 hours
  • Bill Breeland – 1,397 hours

Posse members and Bossier Sheriff’s Posse Auxiliary members contact elderly parish residents as part of Sheriff Deen’s Telephone Reassurance Program at least one day per week. The volunteers keep in touch with senior citizens in the parish, following up on any problems they might have, or simply lifting their spirits by being friendly and offering encouragement. Their presence, with regular patrol deputies, is primarily responsible for the 14 percent decrease in burglaries during 2002. It is also recognized that with the forming of the Posse in 1995, that daytime burglaries are down 25 percent.

STEPHANIE RAE ANDRESEN

Stephanie Andresen overcame her physical disabilities and birth defects with treatment from the Shriners Hospital for Children. She realizes how fortunate she was to receive treatment free of charge from the Shriners Hospital, and promised to pay them back somehow. She started to pay the hospital back in the year 2000 by starting a fundraiser in her community that would benefit the hospital. This fundraiser and public relations campaign, called Ride for Shrine, is now in its third year. This event, which is a motorcycle ride, is one that is very close to Stephanie’s heart.

Because of her physical disabilities, Stephanie will never be able to ride a motorcycle by herself, but she is able to ride with her father. Stephanie plans and organizes the event. She books the venue, obtains donated food and beverages from local businesses, designs and prints all posters, banners, waivers, and tickets, and solicits local businesses to donate raffle prizes for giveaway at the event. She also coordinates advertising – on radio, television, and in the newspapers. The event takes an entire year to plan.

Stephanie’s Ride for Shrine fundraising event helps the Minneapolis hospital gain public awareness by informing people about the Shriners Hospital for Children. Stephanie is quick to speak about misconceptions that people may have about the hospital and she is not afraid to answer questions about the leg braces that she wears. In fact, she encourages adults and children alike to ask any questions that they may have. This alone shows courage and commitment. She makes herself available to local schools and clubs to talk about the Shriners Hospital and living with a disability. She does all of this while attending Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and maintaining a high grade point average.

The Ride for Shrine is Stephanie’s passion. She believes that by holding the event she is making the world a better place. Although she devotes a lot of her time to this endeavor, she also finds time to dedicate to other volunteer work. For more than two years, she has been feeding a local resident that has dementia and is immobile at a nursing home twice a day seven days a week. When this resident was placed in the hospital for pneumonia, she spent the night by her side. The doctor’s are amazed that this particular resident is doing so well.

In March of last year, Stephanie was assaulted in the nursing home where she volunteers. The perpetrator was another resident, and Stephanie bravely stepped in front of the assaulter to protect the resident that she cares for. Stephanie bore the brunt of the attack, instead of the immobile resident.

Stephanie has also been involved with the March of Dimes, the Alzheimer’s Association, and local benefits for personal families. She sets up carwashes, candy sales, and bake sales to raise money for the March of Dimes. Stephanie also set-up collection jars at local businesses in order to collect money for the March of Dimes. She has also developed her own program called “One small S.T.E.P. Toward a Better Tomorrow.” (Support, Trust, Education, Participation.) This program was developed to encourage community members to volunteer and find their passion in life.

JANE HALL

We often have the opportunity to read about extraordinary people who make a difference in other people’s lives. Jane Hall is one of those people. She is one of those individuals whose very presence makes people better for having known her. She always displays a cheerful and competent attitude, and her energy is contagious. For more than 20 years she has worked at Roy High School in various roles, but her greatest contribution is in the positive attitude she promotes to all of the students and staff.

Hall is a strong supporter of the Roy athletic programs and an enthusiastic supporter of the Roy and Riverdale communities. She has worked on the Riverdale City Civics Club and is politically active; she is an involved citizen. Her enthusiasm for the 2002 Olympics took on an unusual volunteer spirit. Although she was unable to commit as a volunteer for the Olympics, she volunteered to “babysit” children so that everyone could enjoy the games. She also rallied students and faculty for the torch run down 1900 West in Roy, and coordinated theme days at the high school to generate interest and involvement for faculty.

Hall has also been a longtime supporter of breast cancer support groups, having lost her sister to breast cancer. For years she participated in the annual walkathon. She also lovingly cares for the needs of five elderly couples – visiting them regularly, taking them meals, and transporting them to doctor’s appointments or shopping. This she does in addition to providing the same care and attention to her own parents and husband’s parents.

Hall has served on the Roy High School Sunshine Committee. Sometimes, she is officially on the committee, but always she is the sunshine of the school. Students rely on her encouragement and help. She willingly types scholarship applications or student resumes, which is not part of her job description. She knows kids’ interests and strengths and frequently is the one in the counseling center who pinpoints a specific student who is “perfect” for a particular scholarship and encourages him or her to apply.

Hall’s involvement with her church is extensive as well. She has served twice as the Young Women’s President, as the Primary President, as the Relief Society President, and multiple times as a Primary teacher or Relief Society teacher. She also worked with those in need when the canal in Riverdale flooded a community. She provided food and water everyday for the clean up volunteers.

JENNIFER LOLLEY

Seven years ago, Jennifer Lolley began the battle of a lifetime. As a recovering anorexic and bulimic, she knows firsthand the devastation both physical and mental that occurs not only to the victim, but also to the loved ones of a person suffering with an eating disorder. Eight to ten million Americans battle with an eating disorder. This figure does not include those who are dangerously dieting, have an unhealthy body image or are confused as to society’s idea of an acceptable body.

Standing 5’8″ and weighing only 88 pounds, Lolley was hospitalized three months for anorexia and bulimia nervosa at the age of 16. The battle did not end there. She was hospitalized three more times, entered a four month intensive residential program for eating disorders, and had a feeding tube surgically implanted into her main artery for three months. Her personal battle with eating disorders has given her a desire to publicly speak to others about this epidemic facing our country. Lolley asserts that men and women must be made aware that their worth does not lie in the size or shape of their bodies, but rather in their uniqueness as an individual. Since 1998, she has been unselfishly using her experiences to bring a message of awareness, prevention and hope to all.

On April 11, 2003, Governor Bob Riley signed a proclamation that Lolley wrote declaring April 26th as Eating Disorder Awareness Day in Alabama. She has partnered with ANAD, the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, serving as a support, counsel and resource person to fight against eating disorders and spread awareness. This past spring, she organized an Eating Disorder Awareness Week on the University of Alabama-Birmingham campus. She set up booths to distribute literature, held a fundraiser for ANAD and directed a Candle Light Vigil with guest speakers, entertainment and the theme: “Accept Yourself..Accept Others!”

She developed a presentation on Eating Disorder Awareness and delivers her message to thousands of men and women of all ages. She speaks in churches, schools, college campuses, and support groups across the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Those with whom she speaks with gain knowledge of the different eating disorders, warning signs, medical facts and complications, different treatment methods, and the ways to prevent the development of an eating disorder. She has printed her own Eating Disorder Awareness pamphlet, has an Eating Disorder Awareness web site and has an Eating Disorder source book library, which contains more than 25 books. Lolley also started a letter campaign encouraging President Bush and states across the country to pass parity bills, which will ensure equal coverage of eating disorders and prevent insurance discrimination. She has also conducted several eating disorder support groups and counseled numerous individuals.

To know that she may have led just one person to make the right choices, to get help or to avoid the battle that nearly took her life is an incredible accomplishment. She is living testimony of an eating disorder survivor. She is answering the cries for help of eating disorder sufferers and delivering an inspirational and educational message of awareness and hope to women and men of all ages.