KEVIN MYERS

Kevin Myers’ enthusiasm and commitment to service have been contagious on the campus of Manchester College. For the past four years, Kevin has dedicated his boundless energy toward strengthening volunteerism among his fellow students, and helping to meet the needs of people in the greater community.

Kevin collaborated with the North Manchester Parks & Recreation department to organize the Haunted Forest Halloween event to raise money for community service needs. This program has continued to grow. Kevin also worked on a petition to end hunger, Give Up a Meal Day (students skipped one meal, and food service donated the money to Oxfam America and Heifer Project International) and a service project (students raked leaves and sorted clothing at the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission). Kevin helped recruit students to raise money to provide food for those in need through the Crop Walk.

Additionally, Kevin collaborated with fellow student organizers and the American Red Cross to implement several successful on-campus blood drives. He helped organize and participated in a town-wide food drive that brought 35 student volunteers together to collect needed food and supplies for the North Manchester Food Pantry. Kevin also gave up his spring break for two years to help build homes for families in West Virginia and Mississippi.

Kevin was responsible for organizing the Study Buddies program on campus. He worked with representatives from Big Brothers/Big Sisters to begin and maintain the program, despite many outside challenges associated with it. Through this program, and Kevin’s patience and perseverance, many at-risk students received the tutoring services they needed to be successful in school. In the face of logistical and other challenges, this important program would have died had it not been for Kevin’s tenacity and commitment.

Kevin also organized service projects and performed needed services at many worthy organizations, including South Bend Homeless Shelter, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Vernon Manor (home for profoundly handicapped children), Fort Wayne Food Bank, and Pathfinder Services (home for developmentally disabled adults). Services included raking leaves, sorting food and clothing, interacting with residents, and fundraising.

Kevin has a strong presence on campus, and leads by example. He has motivated countless Manchester College students to look beyond their cozy campus to see and address the needs of the greater community. Although Kevin will graduate this spring, he has planted the seeds for further volunteer opportunities at Manchester College.

Kevin’s received a small stipend for his job as student director of the college’s Office of Volunteer Services. His job entailed volunteer recruitment and project coordination for the office. He consistently went above and beyond his job description and his nine hours per week.

MONTVILLE NONPROFIT GATEWAY, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Montville Fall Festival, Inc. was founded in 1995 and recently changed its name to the Montville Nonprofit Gateway (MNG) to better reflect its mission and goals. Since its inception, this organization has been a major focal point in the community as well as in the region.

The initial goal of the MNG, Inc. was to establish a venue for area nonprofit organizations to raise their necessary funds. To this end, the Montville Fair was created. Various nonprofit organizations that participate at the fair have collectively raised more than $60,000. These monies went back into the community in various ways including clothing banks, foster parenting, low-cost healthcare and drug awareness programs just to name a few.

The volunteers of the MNG work tirelessly throughout the year to bring their vision to fruition. Each member of the Board of Directors volunteers his or her services each year. To implement that various programs that MNG, Inc. sponsors takes more than 10,000 person-hours annually. This organization has brought people from various lifestyles together for the good of the community. More than 250 volunteers labor during the three-day event to assist in every aspect of the fair alone.

The MNG, Inc. Board of Directors sponsors the Citizen of the Year Award. This annual award is presented to a citizen that exemplifies civic responsibility and volunteerism for the good of the community. Balloting is based on nominations received from the community at large. The award recipient receives official presentation from town, state and federal officials.

The MNG, Inc. has recently established a scholarship fund for students with hidden disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities. This unique scholarship is the first of its nature in the area and it is the hope that as time progresses, MNG will raise enough money to establish similar scholarships on a regional basis.

Furthermore, the MNG, Inc. is working on a program with the local police department to create a firearm awareness program for the youth in our community. Tragically, there have been two accidental deaths of children within the last year. It is this type of grass roots activism within smaller communities that can eventually create change in the larger segments of society.

FOOD FOR SENIORS – A PROGRAM OF STEVICK SENIOR CENTER

The Food for Seniors Program in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois started with a $1,000 grant fromThe Food for Seniors Program in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois started with a $1,000 grant from Hands Across America. Through the Eastern Illinois Food Bank and Family Service, an 80-year-old RSVP volunteer, Joe Rodehaver, was charged with the plan to address hunger among low-income seniors.

Through the Food for Seniors program, seniors in need of this kind of help are identified through Family Service TeleCare. Once approved, they are permanently added to one of the delivery routes. Twice each month nearly two tons of groceries are purchased from the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Those groceries are delivered to a church fellowship hall where RSVP volunteers sort and bag them. Additional RSVP volunteers then arrive, load their cars, vans and trucks with bags of nutritious groceries, and head out for delivery. Some volunteers then help clean up and vacuum the hall while others tear down boxes and load them off to a recycling center.

This is truly an all-volunteer effort. Although Rodehaver passed away in 1995 as he approached his 90th birthday, others have kept his dream alive. People drive the delivery routes twice each month regardless of the weather. In central Illinois that can mean working through some extreme weather conditions. It is perhaps even more impressive when you realize that most of the volunteers packing, cleaning up and delivering that food are seniors themselves. Their average age is approximately 76 years old. They probably have a greater understanding of need than most of us. Recipients are responsibly people who have spent a lifetime paying their bills and doing without. But now they live on a tiny fixed income with overwhelming medical bills and the thing they do without is nutritious food.

Today, 228 Champaign-Urbana seniors benefit directly from this program and its twice monthly deliveries. Funding is entirely handled through local donations. No tax money is ever used or even requested. A local Masonic Lodge has even adopted the Food for Seniors program and it serves as its major contributor. Contributions continue to come from numerous members of the public – quite often from other, more fortunate seniors. Volunteers and even volunteer drivers show up in all kinds of weather, even on days that schools and businesses may close due to weather conditions. There is no overhead to this project. Even the work space is donated. The project has won many local awards, including the Illinois Hometown Governor’s Award.

RUM RIVER INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS, INC.

Day after day, the volunteers of Rum River Interfaith Caregivers are making a significant difference in the lives of people in Mille Lacs and Sherburne Counties of Minnesota. Within these rural communities exists a strong force whose sole mission is to help people in need. Begun in 1996 because of an unmet need for transportation and respite care, this agency continues to faithfully serve those living in difficult life circumstances. Originally, the focus was to serve the elderly, frail or those living with disabilities. Due to overwhelming requests, the mission was expanded to help all those in need, including families and children.

The volunteers of Rum River Interfaith Caregivers are a light in a dark situation. The woman whose husband has Alzheimer’s disease finds the respite caregiver a welcome relief. A house-bound MS victim and was able to go out-of-doors because a wheel chair ramp was built for him. A compassionate volunteer moved the homeless mother-to-be to a home. Other volunteers drove her to the hospital to give birth providing friendship and reassurance. A woman found painful therapy bearable because of supportive volunteers who provided transportation. A cancer patient discovered coping strategies from a former patient who volunteers.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of this agency. They work tirelessly to help individuals and families who have no other place to turn. In the year 2000, approximately 2000 services were performed. Volunteers, free of charge, gave all these acts of compassion. The formal services are: transportation, respite care, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, Lifeline installation, home maintenance, business help, office assistance, and cancer support. Other volunteer services include blood pressure checks at senior dining sites, special health projects and board of directors. Each year the number of scope of services increase.

In 1999, Rum River Interfaith Caregivers had 60 volunteers. Today there are 100 with more than 50 volunteers utilized monthly. Continual recruiting occurs in local congregations.

SANDRA SAYRE

Sandra Sayre works in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a Roanoke hospital and drives and hour and a half to work each day to help her patients. While taking a course in community health, Sayre was “introduced” to the impoverished homeless through her clinical studies in community health class and she decided to become involved in helping the medical needs of the homeless. She became the voice of the homeless in Roanoke.

TRUST, a homeless shelter in Roanoke, Virginia, is where Sayre began her volunteer service. After working her 16-hour ICU nursing shift, she goes directly to TRUST to work another 8-hour shift each Sunday. During that time, she is the only person on staff. She manages to single handedly supervise 34 beds in two houses. While working at TRUST, she is also responsible for answering the crisis hotline also. She also volunteers for HELPS, a network of homeless providers in Roanoke that mobilize to better provide services and utilize volunteers. In addition to her work with TRUST and HELPS, Sayre serves on the Roanoke Valley Task Force on Homelessness. She conducts an extensive survey of the area homeless population, which is in excess of 400 people.

Sandy Sayre has had personal challenges but, instead of succumbing to them and giving up, she has chosen to do more and give more, not only for herself and her family, but for others who may not have anyone to do anything for them. She devotes many hours per week to serving the homeless. Her work ensures they are accounted for and they are able to obtain any benefits afforded to them. Directly, she works one-on-one at a shelter and hopes that her attitude, demeanor, and consistency affects the lives of the people she meets.

Her future goal is to open a health care center for the homeless population of Roanoke. She is now collaborating with the city’s Rescue Mission. They are now planning and strategizing, and will open the Rescue Mission Health Care Center in June 2002 where Sayre will be the Nurse Practitioner upon her completion of graduate studies at Radford University in May 2002.

JAMES JOHNSON-3

James Johnson is a man who makes himself available at any time to support school, church, and other community events. He particularly looks to serve youth in activities that will lead to their healthy and positive development and looks forward to his time working with the Boy Scouts.

Johnson lives by example. Whether it is a planned outing or something that just comes up, he is there. One day a class was short of drivers for a field trip. A group of children were standing outside the front entrance of the building looking downhearted upon hearing there were not enough drivers for the trip. Just as it seemed that these students might have to stay behind, Johnson drives up, and in his quiet way asked if he could be of assistance. In a matter of seconds, long faces were replaced with smiles as the children loaded into his van and the field trip went on as planned. Johnson did not come to school that day for that particular purpose, but he saw a need and changed his plans for the children.

Johnson’s leadership and tremendous involvement in education is evidenced by the hundreds of hours he volunteers each year in the school system. He served three terms as the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) president at North Layton Junior High. Though he does not have a student at the school, Johnson is on the PTSA board at North Layton. In addition to the many hours he spends fulfilling his leadership responsibilities for school, he readily takes on any situation at school that requires a helping hand.

Another example of his unselfish actions is assisting a home economics class with a food demonstration in the morning before he had to attend a PTSA board meeting over lunch. On top of that, after leaving his lunch meeting, Johnson was met with an emergency request to put together the community newsletter before school let out that day. Without a moments’ hesitation, he made a plan, rounded up a crew of students, and got the newsletter out on time.

In addition to spending time with the youth or the school system, Johnson volunteers at the Union Station in Ogden, Antelope Island, Boy Scouts of America, and for his church. Recently, he heard about a need to help make 700 sack lunches for a workshop and came to assist at 6 am. It was not a surprise to the organizers because he does things like that daily.

James Johnson is an example to his community and especially the children he serves. He preaches determination, dedication and a work ethic. He backs that up by giving hours of his time with the PTSA, school and other organizations. He helps provide a foundation upon which the next generation gains confidence, strength, and the awareness they need to lead successful lives.

ROBERT BASSETT

As a result of the President’s Summit in Philadelphia, the Prudential Insurance Company in partnership with Youth Service America, the National Secondary School Principals Association, and the Center launched The Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative in 1995 for Creative Leadership. The primary objective of the initiative is to rekindle America’s community spirit by encouraging, training, and recognizing youth for their positive contributions through service to the community. There are three components to the Prudential Spirit of Community Service: The Spirit of Community Award, The Prudential Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), and the Catch the Spirit student guide. During the past two yeas, Robert has been a full-time volunteer dedicated to bringing America’s Promise and the Prudential YLI to Alaska.

Robert “Beau” Bassett encourages the growth of leadership in youth by engaging them in service learning opportunities and leadership. He is a top national trainer, and has dedicated many hours of service to YLI. The YLI is a 30-hour long training in creative service leadership that prepares youth to design and implement high quality service projects. He offered the first Prudential YLI to 48 students in Alaska in August of 1988. Since that time, 10 additional institutes have been offered to more than 200 youth. The young people involved commit to contributing additional service to the community following the training and before graduating from YLI.

He has also done a variety of projects with YLO. He has organized service projects on national service days such as Make a Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and National Youth Service Day. In addition, he has organized the distribution of more than 40,000 Scholastic books to disadvantaged children. He later organized a “Spirit of Community Awards Dinner,” and in April of 1999 recognized 250 youth in Anchorage for positive service and honored eight President’s Student Service Award winners.

Robert was the lead adult mentor for a youth committee that organized the First Annual Harry Chapin Youth Art Serv-a-thon where more than 175 youth planned and participated in nine-hour performing arts marathons to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. He has also formed partnerships with the majority of the youth organizations, the Municipality of Anchorage, local businesses, and schools to support all of his youth development projects. He also secured support from a broad spectrum of professionals, parents, educators, and other dedicated partners and has engaged them in furthering his vision.

Beau has consistently worked to get funding to keep his program going. He is happy that the Volunteers of America received a generous donation from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and now he can continue his work and expand his youth leadership services in Alaska.

MARILYN WEAVER

Marilyn Weaver has been a school volunteer in West Irondequiot for 10 years. She began her service as a classroom mother, then a block parent, cultural arts organizer, third grade graduation coordinator, and finally co-chair of a two-day Outdoor Education Experience. In addition, she developed and coordinated the Reading At Home Program.

Weaver saw a need in 1995 that sparked her interest. One of the second grade teachers at Colebrook School felt that her students could benefit from being challenged beyond the regular curriculum in mathematics, but she did not know how to manage this by herself. She offered to take half of the class and provide enrichment exercises in mathematics. The teacher took on the other half and began remediation work leading to enrichment.

Through a variety of math activities and custom made exercises, students began to see that math could be fun and interesting. They discovered they could take a problem that looks hard on the surface and stretch enough in their skills to accomplish solving the problem. Weaver worked with this class for three years. Today this program is still in existence and has expanded to include another second grade class. This in-class activity has become known as the Challenger Club, and it was even extended to the third grade classes when the former second-graders expressed so much interest in it.

About a year ago, Weaver accepted the challenge of reinventing the abandoned Math Lab at Colebrook School. The students, parents, and teachers are very enthusiastic about turning it around. Once the renovation was completed, the Math Lab was a success. That resulted in more students, parents and teachers becoming interested in being involved.

What began as one volunteer helping 10 students for about 45 minutes per week has grown to include 15 parent volunteers helping about 30 students from kindergarten to third grade. Computers have been introduced to the program for students who need a faster pace to maintain their interest. Weaver has also taken on the responsibility of training the volunteers so they have an understanding of the goals, tools, and methodology of the lab.

Marilyn Weaver’s innovative spirit is evident in the materials and activities she has conceived. She has developed creative concepts to address specific instructional goals. Some of her more famous inventions are laminate, color-coded personal and class-size number lines. She designs them to help children visualize, through spatial relationships, the interrelatedness of numbers in addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The strongest indicator of the Lab’s success is the impact is has had on the student’s scores in standardized testing. Weaver’s support and efforts have resulted in the children earning better scores and doing well in other areas of study.

JAVIER SANTIAGO

Learning Leaders, previously known as the New York City School Volunteer Program, was the first program of its kind in the county and has been a national leader for more than four decades in using trained volunteers to help meet the educational needs of students in public schools. The goal of Learning Leaders is to aid New York City public school students in gaining the educational skills and self-esteem necessary to become successful learners and productive community members. Last year, 150,000 New York City public school students in 747 school received aid from more than 9,300 volunteers. In essence, one of every seven children enrolled in the public school system received instruction from a Learning Leader.

Each of the volunteers give at least two hours of their time per work to a school near their work or home. All of the volunteers are screened and trained, and they have ongoing support from professional field-based Training Specialist. Learning Leaders was incorporated in 1970 as a nonprofit organization, and about $2.5 million is raised annually to support the program.

Javier Santiago is a Learning Leader. Santiago never thought that doing public service in an elementary school would become an integral part of his life. However, his young daughter asked him to read the Learning Leader recruitment flier to her. When he read it and explained to her what it meant, she asked him to become a part of it. He committed to being a Learning Leader and tutors children in reading, spelling, and math. Being a Learning Leader is a priority for Santiago. He has adopted an entire class of children who will stay together through elementary school. Santiago began with them in second grade and will be with them until graduation. He works with children one-on-one who are in need of help. He is consistent with his visits and dedicated to the learning process. Throughout his time of service, he has impacted approximately 30 to 40 children.

Because of his volunteer work, Santiago is considering a career in teaching. Santiago is a Learning Leader and has affected the children attending New York City’s public schools. An Educational Testing Service Study showed that one-third of the students who received volunteer assistance because of academic difficulties achieved or exceeded grade-level requirements in reading or math within one year of participation in the program.

Javier Santiago just wanted to be more active with his children’s educational process. That has resulted in numerous hours of volunteer service along with a possible change of career into the education field. His giving heart and encouraging words have changed the lives of young children and in turn has changed his life also. He sees that just being there for a child and being a constant influence in their life can change their behavior and attitude towards school. Many children are looked at as having behavioral problems or learning difficulties, but most of them just need encouragement and special attention. They need to feel valued and special, and he is happy to be a part of that process.

REGINA DAYTON

Regina Dayton has created a community service program that has touched the hearts of so many students and parents. Her efforts have resulted in community leaders and parents working together to expand her program citywide and make it available to all youth. Maria Moser, one of Dayton’s students, described what Dayton does best when she says, “There is a revolution taking place in the Strongsville High School. It is not the result of television or music, or students who are desensitized. It is a result of teachers who care; of students who want to make a difference; and a school that is changing the way it treats one another. It is a revolution of kindness.”

SHINE (Students Helping In Neighborhoods Everywhere) started in 1998 with just 20 students. Many believed that it would not succeed. Their activities began small with coat drives, flowers to Columbine High School and planting flowers at hospice. The program grew to include more than 300 students and their activities now range from AIDS walks to food drives; from Special Olympics to leaf raking for the elderly.

One of the most important projects that Dayton and her students did was to reintroduce the Pledge of Allegiance to the high school. Many of the parents felt that in today’s times it was really important to find a way to remind all of the kids that despite our differences, we are one nation-one people. Dayton and her group did a veteran’s day program in which they presented a flag to each veteran and led the school for the first time in many years in the Pledge of Allegiance. Since then, the Pledge is recited every week. For this work, Dayton and her students received a commendation from the Ohio Senate, the Strongsville city council and a note of congratulations from George W. Bush.

Dayton has drawn the entire community together. Whether it is working on specific service projects or working to expand the program to a citywide program, she has spread the spirit of volunteerism and community involvement through the city. She has helped the community to refocus its priorities on youth and helping neighbors. She has been so successful in leading the community because she lets the kids lead her. She started with allowing them to select projects. What makes her unique is her ability to bring different types and ages together and get them to not only work together, but to love working together.

The city is now in the process of creating a citywide Youth Council that will provide ongoing opportunities for community service and civic involvement. Dayton, Mayor Ehrnfelt, Councilman Mike Gallagher, members of the School Board and many parents are working together to raise the funds that will be necessary to maintain a permanent and ongoing support system for youth. The school intends to implement a mandatory community service requirement. Regina Dayton has worked to awaken the city of Strongsville as to how rewarding service to others can be and how important it is to focus time and resources on bringing those opportunities to youth.