ALLISON KELLOGG

Allison Kellogg has watched lives changed because of her volunteer service. Six years ago, Kyri, a five year old girl, appeared in her first ballet class for disadvantaged children. On that day, as Allison taught simple ballet movement to Kyri and the other students, Kyri discovered her gift for dance and Allison discovered the exhilaration that comes from volunteer service.

For three years in high school Allison taught dance to disadvantaged children. When she graduated, she found corporate sponsors who then funded scholarships for her most committed students. During her freshman year at the University of Alabama, Allison began teaching free classes at the Boys and Girls Club in Tuscaloosa.

In an effort to reach more children, Allison created an after school program called “Star Kids” in the spring of 2000. This program teaches children to use their talents to improve the lives of others. She wrote a coloring book, produced a video, and created an instruction manual which were funded by Mississippi Valley Gas Corporation and WAPT-TV.

Allison’s “Star Kids” program encourages kids to know that they are important, and that they all have gifts that can be used to make the world a better place. She has presented the program in Boys and Girls Clubs, the United Way Youth in Action programs, the Mississippi Volunteer Commission’s annual conference, and the JC Penney after school programs. For the past two summers, she has presented the program at the Be Your Best Self Camp for girls in Salt Lake City, Utah where she has also worked as a volunteer counselor.

In May of 2000, she wrote a grant to fund dance lessons through the Doublemint For Campus Excellence program. Only fifty grants were awarded from the 14,000 applications received. The two thousand dollar grant has been used to fund dance lessons at the Madison County Cultural Center.

In addition, Allison initiated the first Madison Mayor’s Youth Council this fall. She researched councils, served on the steering committee, and created all forms that have been used. This council was designed to give teenagers the opportunity to serve the community and foster a working partnership with local government while also providing a process for the city to receive opinions from youth regarding policies and practices that affect their lives.

Six years later, Kyri continues to dance. Allison has maintained the relationship and hopes that one day, Kyri use her own gift to make the world a better place to live.

JO ANN RIGANO

Jo Ann Rigano is a Beavercreek, Ohio third grade teacher who extends herself beyond the classroom. She teaches her students the true meaning of civic responsibility by providing opportunities for her students to reach out to others as she integrates the opportunity into the everyday curriculum. She teaches her students that anything is possible if you “make it happen.” This year Jo Ann and her class chose to adopt New York City Fire Squad 270 because of the September 11th tragedy. After much discussion with her class and other staff members, Rigano involved the entire school, 518 students and 45 staff members, in the adoption process.

The project started with a 40’by 72″ banner that announced the schools’ intention of adopting the fire squad. Each student and staff member wrote a personal message on the banner. Rigano then assigned each grade level a month and then that group was responsible for sending the squad “we care for you” packages. Between October 2001 and June 2002, the squad received a total of forty-two packages.

On March 12,2002, Rigano received a fax from FDNY firefighter, Frank Leeb, stating that he and two fellow firefighters from squad 270 were interested in visiting Valley Elementary to thank the students and staff for their compassion. The dates agreed upon for the visit were June 4 through June 8, 2002.

The project then turned into a special event that linked together the two parts of the country. The students learned about New York City while the firefighters learned about Beavercreek.

Miami Valley businesses offered free services and products, including round trip airline tickets and free hotel rooms for the visitors. The delivery of the “we care for you” packages became more frequent because the entire community got involved.

On June 4 the Beavercreek community and the surrounding Miami Valley welcomed the three firefighters. The firefighters showed their appreciation by presenting Rigano with a cross welded from a World Trade Center beam and an American flag, (now on display in Valley Elementary School) which flew over squad 270’s command post at Ground Zero. This turned into quite a newsworthy event as millions of people shared in the visit through the media reports.

The firefighters returned to New York on June 8, but the relationship continues. Students are continuing to correspond with FDNY squad. Rigano visited squad 270 in late June and will return again in early August. Frank Leeb is bringing his family to visit Valley Elementary in late July.

Evidence of this successful life lesson is apparent in the letters that Rigano continues to receive from parents, students, teachers, and community members. As one parent said in a letter about her son, “He has seen how something small can grow and flourish. He believes he can accomplish anything; nothing is impossible.”

SYLVIA ANTHONY

Over a decade ago, Sylvia Anthony founded Sylvia’s Haven Inc. with a simple vision “to provide transitional housing for homeless, single, pregnant and parenting women of the Commonwealth.” She started this dream in a single rented home with the doors open to provide food, shelter and respite. Sylvia’s Haven became incorporated on January 25, 1987 as “Life for the Little Ones.” Today, Anthony’s vision has grown to fifty (50)—two and three bedroom housing units at the former Ft. Devens Army Base in North Central Massachusetts. The McKinney Act, a federal regulation, authorizes the government to lease property on closed military bases to groups that help the homeless. Sylvia’s Haven met the criteria. The property is leased for $1 a year. She has helped more than 700 women and children. The program relies on financial contributions, donations of furniture, equipment, and volunteer assistance to operate.

Anthony believed “if I can shelter a few of these women and their little ones, it is a beginning.” Her beginning has become an oasis of life, light, and hope for many. Because of her vision, commitment, hard work, diligence and steadfast faith, Sylvia’s Haven provides for the immediate needs of homeless and battered women and children. She provides a safe, comfortable, secure and nurturing environment where these families can recover from the traumas of homelessness, violence and abuse.

Further, Anthony treats the “whole family.” She provides support, counseling, education, job training, financial and career counseling, parenting skills training and other support, as well as the education necessary to assist homeless and battered women to become spiritually and emotionally healed, confident, self-reliant and financially self-sufficient.

In detail, Sylvia’s Haven is a Life Skills Management Transitional Facility. Simply put, it helps homeless women and their children prepare themselves to make a transition from dependence to self-sufficiency and independence. They are given the opportunity to face life’s challenges with hope and resolve and become contributing citizens in our society. For many, this is their last hope.

Anthony started the Haven initiative by loaning the program $10,000 the first year and $12,000 the second year. She was gradually paid back in small amounts when the ministry could afford to do so. She voluntarily took no pay until the end of 1994. In 1995, her allowance was $11,600. Over the years the Board of Directors has increased her salary bringing her present-day salary to $56,368. It was commendable that the Board of Directors progressively increased her salary to make up “in part” for shortages in the past. With or without the salary, Anthony has been completely committed to sheltering homeless women.

ADAM WANSTRATH

Adam Wanstrath is a senior at Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is very active in the Cincinnati community and believes, though he is one person, he can make a great difference in his community.

Adam has been an ardent supporter of the Over-the-Rhine (OTR) service project. This program serves those in the inner city. Adam worked with OTR to rehab an old grocery store. The volunteers turned the store into a new soup kitchen. Adam worked so hard on the project that many of the other volunteers were concerned about him. They thought he was moving too fast and lifting too much. They did not realize, however, that Adam was so passionate about this project that he was fine, just excited about his work. Adam continued to clean, lift, and carry the following Saturday for the project. His diligence and untiring effort inspired some of the other volunteers to push just a bit harder.

Adam also participated in the Urban Plunge. This was a weekend retreat directed towards serving at-risk youth. Adam displayed compassion and a genuine concern for the needs of others during the retreat. He was also concerned for solidarity with those who were less fortunate. The weekend retreat made him appreciate all the “extras” he has in his life and realized that many live daily without their needs.

Adam is continuing with the OTC program and has not missed taken a Saturday off for three months. He is concerned with the completion of the problem and knows his efforts will help finish the soup kitchen sooner so more can be helped by being fed.

Next year, Adam plans to attend Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He will major in Business Administration so that he can gain more skills in the business realm to continue to enable him to make enlightened decisions to help make Cincinnati a better place to live.

MARGARET STORES

During the past decade Margaret Stores has helped innumerable homebound seniors despite her own failing health. She has been a Senior Companion volunteer since May 1991. Stores volunteers approximately 20 hours per week with the Senior Companion program. She is a widow and her income is less than 25% of the federal poverty level. The program provides her with a small stipend to help with gas and car maintenance, but she gives much of her time and money to continue her service to the public.

Some of the activities she performs for elderly clients are grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and transporting and accompanying to doctor’s appointments. She also provides necessary companionship and cooks hot meals that can be frozen or refrigerated for evenings and weekends.

In addition, Stores is an advocate for the homebound seniors she visits. During her long residency in the community, she has become acutely aware of organizations and services available to assist the elderly that are in need. So, in addition to providing essential services in their home, Stores refers her clients to agencies that can also provide housekeeping, personal aides, food boxes, and other items they need.

Many social services agency representatives have said that it is partially due to Stores’ assistance that many of the seniors are able to remain in their own homes. Before her crusade of care began, the only other alternative for those seniors unable to live at home was going to the nursing home. Many of the elderly do not want to go to the home, but instead want to remain independent as long as they can and keep their homes as long as possible.

Stores’ role as an advocate helped one client to stay independent for five additional years. She has visited the elderly widow since July of 1995. The senior is chair/bed bound, and unable to work or perform any activities necessary to live independently. Stores referred her to various support services, and the client now has Stores to care for her during the day as well as a nighttime live-in caregiver. This elderly woman has delayed the usual nursing home option due to the care and concern of Stores.

During the past several years, Margaret Stores’ health has worsened due to a heart condition. She must be on oxygen 24 hours per day and has numerous visits to the hospital. Despite her own concerns, she is still determined to help others. You still may see her, on any given day, at a client’s home with a backpack of oxygen on her back cooking a meal or shopping at a nearby store.

NANCY SCHROEDER-2

Nancy Schroeder worked at a local college in the bookstore for many years. Once she retired, Schroeder devoted the majority of her time to service in her community. She single-handedly coordinated the Winter Wraps Program.

Schroeder was used to the cold Midwest winters; however, she saw that many adults and children were out in the elements without the proper protection. In May of 200, Schroeder organized a community-wide coat drive. The local public schools were checkpoints for the drive initially. Community members were dropping off children’s coats and the schools, and soon the area dry-cleaners opened their arms to the program. The dry-cleaners volunteered to clean the used coats, and Schroeder, along with other youth and senior volunteers sorted and sized them.

The Winter Wraps Program debuted in October of 2000. Over 1000 used, cleaned winter coats as well as hats and mittens for the children were given to those in need in Kenosha County. Additionally, 182 adults were provided with warm coats. Though the program is still in its infancy stage, Schroeder believes it is a success. The three-day October “coat-fest” brought the community together. Hundreds of volunteers worked with hundreds of families and were able to meet one of their needs.

Schroeder devotes hundreds of hours to Winter Wraps, but she gives her time to other organizations also. She volunteers for WoMen and Children’s Horizons. This agency provides advocacy, support and emergency shelter for victims and child witnesses of domestic abuse. Schroeder provides outreach and education about domestic abuse at the local homeless shelter, and she assists with children’s groups. You may also find Schroeder working during the week at her church providing homeless individuals with a night’s relief through their INNS Program. In addition to that, she works with the Hospice Alliance providing comfort to patients with terminal illnesses as well as their loved ones.

DORIS FEDUS

Doris Fedus has volunteered with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for 27 continuous years with several social service organizations. After retiring from teaching kindergartners at Rosedale Elementary School on May 24, 1974, Fedus decided to continue to contribute to society. She volunteers about 107 hours per month at several agencies in Emmet County. She has been involved in community service in every neighborhood where she has lived.

Because of her dedicated commitment to the community, Fedus has been honored on numerous occasions. One of the many prestigious awards that she has received was the 1988 Livonia Mother of the Year. She has also been awarded the Golden Oldie Award in 1994 from the Metropolitan Detroit Heritage Club.

Doris Fedus is now 90 years old and is still full of energy. Some days you may see her at the RSVP Friendship Center where she is acting as a ray of sunshine to many who do not get visits often. The RSVP of Wayne County say they cannot begin to count the number of lives Fedus has touched during the past 27 years, but they can estimate her hours of service. They estimate her as giving 37,908 hours of love to the community, which saves the various nonprofit organizations at least $265,300 in labor.

ALTHEA GREER

Althea Greer is a wife, mother, and grandmother who works to share her knowledge, experience and wealth of compassion with anyone she meets. Greer has devoted more than 35 years of her time, energy and talents serving her Farmington, New Mexico community. Greer believes that Rabbi Harold Kushner was correct when he said, “Love is a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.”

Greer has a long association with the Farmington Museum and has served as a Board Member since 1986. She has served as Chairman for fund raising events such as the Ice Cream Socials, The Red Apple Flyer, and Casino Night. While Chairman of the Budget committee, she was instrumental in keeping the organization solvent. In addition to being available for all the committee work, Greer has raised funds for acquisitions for the Museum, opened her home for the annual Board Seminars and picnics, and is always available for the job, no matter how large or small the task.

Greer has also been an active, contributing member of the San Juan Regional Medical Center Auxiliary since 1966. Her leadership qualities and determination to finish tasks and projects is an asset to the hospital. In addition to serving as their President from 1971-1972 and 1995-1996, she was instrumental in the creation of the hospital gift shop. She also directed fund raising events for the hospital.

Greer also works at The Hospitality House, a home away from home for patients and their families while receiving treatment at health care facilities such as the Cancer Center. She has dedicated hours of service to the Philanthropic Educational Organization that awards scholarships and grants for continuing education to women as well as being a faithful and active member of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington.

Althea Greer’s love of her community continues to grow and she continues to reach out with courage and commitment to causes there. She is not afraid to take risks and empower other to do the same through delegation and teamwork.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Mitsubishi Motors has a commitment to service in the communities in which they operate. Because of this, the company has started the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Program (MVP). This group of employee volunteers takes on various tasks during the year to make a difference in Cypress.

One of the most significant service projects is the company’s annual food drive. The proceeds for this drive are donated to America’s Second Harvest. During the past year, the program saw a tremendous jump in participation and donations. Run by 45 coordinators, with almost 3/4 of the company’s 1,100 employees participating, the last food drive raised more than $53,700 in donations and 10,425 pounds of food.

Employees rally each other to give through bake sales, silent auctions and group breakfasts. It is a time of great giving by the employees as well as a time of great camaraderie, support and teamwork. The food drive always brings out the best in the employees and gives them a sense of pride about the company as well as their efforts and their value as community-members.

MVP volunteers and Second Harvest workers are proud of the dedication and effort that the volunteers, employees and retail partners invested in making the annual food drive a success. The volunteers are happy to know that families were being fed, and it is good to know if their situation were changed they would have this same resource for their family.

America’s Second Harvest provides food for more than 26 million hungry men, women and children; it is their goal to reach even more people and drive out the problem of hunger. Mitsubishi Motors, now in their 13th year of supporting America’s Second Harvest, continue to support this worthy cause.

CHEAT LAKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

The mission of Cheat Lake Animal Hospital is to provide quality medical care for companion animals while keeping in mind the sensitivity and the individuality of the pet along with the emotional needs of their clients. They strive to improve the hospital environment and build a professional workplace that encourages the understanding that each patient and client is special.

The veterinarians and staff of Cheat Lake Animal Hospital are a part of the Morgantown, West Virginia community, not only as a business, but also as public servants. They were instrumental in the development of a community program that serves at at-risk teens (The High School Assistance Dogs Program,) people with physical disabilities and the dogs simultaneously.

Cheat Lake Animal Hospital has provided free veterinary care for the Golden Rule Assistance Service Dogs that are in training. The business has purchased a bus to transport the dogs to the training site – the local Alternative Learning Center, and they have opened their office to the public twice a week to have people socialize the puppies so they can become assistants to people with disabilities.

The Veterinarians also rescued nine puppies from the local animal shelter. These dogs are now being trained as Assistance Dogs to help some others in need. This litter of puppies is housed at the doctor’s private residence so that they can be trained.

The owners and staff at the Cheat Lake Animal Hospital created a novel program idea that is now a reality for Morgantown. The High School Assistance Dogs Program engages youth in training the dogs. They develop a relationship with the animals and learn about responsibilities. The teens realize they may have some challenges, but they work to find solutions so they can overcome the same.

This program affects the youth, animals and the community at large. The youth affected by the hospital’s program develop a positive sense of purpose, experience unconditional love and learn through teaching. They realize their learning and care will result in the training of a dog to assist someone with a disability. Dogs have been saved from euthanasia to become contributors to the program and the community. Those in need receive help and are able to live better lives because of the Assistance Dog program.