GARY DAVIDSON

Since the age of 13, Gary Davidson has been a beacon of hope to his community. He spoke out to support the City of New York in the 1970’s when they were considering declaring bankruptcy by writing editorials to his newspaper reminding them of the spirit of community in the Declaration of Independence. In 1976, Davidson,14, was an active representative for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 515 and spoke to the Deerfield Beach, Florida Chamber of Commerce to encourage the City to stop development of a condominium site and retain it as a public park. As an adult, Davidson continues to serve his community with zeal.

Gary Davidson joined the Jupiter, Florida Police Department as a road patrol officer in 1987 to continue his love of serving his community. While active in the department, he delivered several training sessions for the public in how to properly respond to violent crimes, beach and pool safety lectures, and other crime prevention seminars. In 1992, he responded to a home fire. The residents were hysterical, so he entered the home with a small fire extinguisher and began to fight the fire without any other equipment. When the extinguisher was empty, he returned with another extinguisher and was credited with saving lives as well as the home. That fire became hot enough to melt the metal air conditioner vents in the home.

Davidson was also an educational leader for five years. He led lectures on sea turtles in Jupiter, Florida. He prepared a 90-minute lecture series with musical accompaniment. They were delivered three times a week from May until August. The mission of the series was to educate the public of the sea turtles endangered species status, the time of year they lay eggs, and that they should not be disturbed. The lectures were such a success that people from different countries returned annually for them and even brought their children and grandchildren for the series. He also assisted in the rescue of a baby manatee in 1994. He carried the manatee to safety, and the manatee was ported to the Miami Seaquarium.

Davidson moved to Texas and worked with the Parrot Preservation Society. He donated his Web site design services to them. The services of the society received a tremendous amount of publicity because of Davidson’s assistance and over 100,000 hits during his service. In addition to that, he performed all the French Translations for the multi-lingual site and coordinated free consultation services with bird owners around the world who were experiencing health problems with their parrots.

Davidson has done numerous other acts of service. He is very excited about his work to support a new zoological park. In 1999, he amassed community support from the Austin area for this center that will be a place for hands-on learning experiences in the sciences. The center will also be for research in animal behavior in emotion. He has solicited donations from various organizations to realize this dream.

TEMPLE UNIV. CENTER FOR INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING

The Center for Intergenerational Learning was born in 1979 at Temple University. Since its inception, the program has served as a laboratory for developing, evaluating, and replicating a plethora of programs designed to meet the needs of older adults, families, and children alike. Currently, more than 2,000 people are participating in 16 programs that address critical social needs.

For the past three years, a retired postal worker visits the home of a family that has been reported for child abuse and neglect to model positive parenting skills and help with the children. During the past eight months, two college students go to the Cambodian Buddhist Temple to assist older Cambodian refugees learn English and prepare for their citizenship exam. Three days a week, a man visits a local elementary school to give one-on-one assistance to second graders who are having problems learning to read. These are just some examples of the services offered through the center.

Older adults serve as literacy tutors and parent outreach workers in elementary schools, child care aides in day care centers, and mentors to children who have been witnesses to violence. The volunteers also offer guidance and love to teen mothers, parents who are having difficulty parenting, and families caring for children with disabilities.

The programs in the center are innovative and two of them are being replicated nationally due to their success. Across Ages is an intergenerational mentoring initiative. It was selected by the Center for Substance Abuse as a National Dissemination Model and is now being integrated into drug prevention programs across the country. Project SHINE – Students Helping in the Naturalization of Elders – is funded by the Corporation for National Service and is operating in five cities now. Over 500 college students help 1,400 elderly immigrants and refugees with English and their citizenship exams. Evaluation studies document the center’s significant positive impact on reading scores, school attendance rates, classroom behavior, level of parental stress, and English language skills.

Along with creating unique venues for young people and older adults to contribute to their communities, the center also promotes partnerships among organizations serving different age groups, conducts research on the impact of intergenerational strategies, creates materials to promote the replication of successful pilots, and provides training and technical assistance to local, national, and international organizations interested in integrating intergenerational approaches into their program services.

The Center for Intergenerational Learning has been a pioneer in the field of intergenerational programming. Its demonstrated effectiveness in mobilizing youth and older adults to serve as resources to each other and their communities will continue to make the center a beacon of hope and an example to all who are touched by its light.

FRONTRANGE EARTH FORCE

FrontRange Earth Force is a Colorado nonprofit group that supports programs that encourage youth to work cooperatively with parents, educators, community leaders and businesses. They address environmental problems through civic action in their communities. FrontRange Earth Force brings to Denver the mission of the national Earth Force, which engages youth to create long-term solutions to local environmental issues. While the national and local offices work closely together, Front Range Earth Force is a self-sustaining, independently incorporated nonprofit.

FrontRange is one of the eight sites around the country supporting the Earth Force Community Action and Problem Solving (CAPS) program. CAPS trains educators and provides them with resources and support to guide youth to create long-term solutions to local environmental issues. The CAPS framework emphasized the importance of conducting balanced research, basing decisions on facts, and developing a strategy that ensures a long-term solution to an identified problem.

In its third year of operation, Front Range works with more than 20 sites, 45 educators, and over 1,000 youth in the Denver-metro area. Those involved represent a broad economic and social spectrum – from inner city, low-income neighborhoods, to more privileged communities, and youth of all abilities. FrontRange has programs in traditional public school, charter and magnet schools, alternative educational settings, and community organizations. They have had the CAPS materials translated to Spanish to serve Denver’s Hispanic community as well.

Through FrontRange’s CAPS program, young people develop the skills and attitudes necessary to become and remain active, engaged citizens. Students themselves are responsible for the whole range of project activities including environmental and community research, environmental problem identification, strategy decisions, design and implementation of an action plan and evaluation. They work collaboratively with other students, realizing that they can make an important difference in their communities.

For example, Sheridan, a small struggling community just south of Denver, is really benefiting from the work of Earth Force youth. An Earth Force after-school program at Alice Terry Elementary School grew into a summer program for 40 students, and continues to expand. Some of the students decided to continue meeting throughout the school year to attain their goals of improving recreational opportunities and facilities for kids. District officials worked with the youth to implement their recommendations and established an ongoing youth advisory force due to the work of the Earth Force.

FrontRange Earth Force has also been responsible for having a newspaper recycling station established at schools for the entire community, free of charge. They have also tacked potholes, drinking fountain water quality and a neglected interior courtyard at Sheridan Middle School. Their dedication was such an inspiration that six other teachers in the building decided to use CAPS in their classrooms this school year.

FREDERICK BIRNIE

For the past ten years, Frederick Birnie has tirelessly given over 50 hours per month to the Volusia County schools. He is compassionate and concerned about all of the children in the county and wants to make sure they all have the opportunity for a good start. His youngest child has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. He wanted his son to be a part of the mainstream in the public school system and worked to ensure that his son and any other challenged student could do so.

Birnie has made three major contributions that have impacted Volusia County. He has been a committed member of the $uccess at Work ($AW) Program. He annually seeks, motivates, trains, and places business representatives into 20 middle school classrooms. Fred initiated the Deland Area Chamber of Commerce Businessmen’s Substitute Program. Community members are trained imparting their expertise knowledge providing classrooms with qualified substitutes. He secured input from more than 200 teachers for the Charter District Leadership Committee by personally visiting schools and telling teachers how important it is for them to submit waiver forms to the charter committee.

Because of his commitment to $AW, the county students are better prepared for the world of work. Birnie has bridged the gap between community and school. The Substitute Program is his brainchild and has simplified the “Star Program,” which enables community members to become qualified substitutes commensurate with their expertise. Volusia students’ education is enhanced because of the program.

Birnie’s bold leadership on the Charter District Leadership Committee brought teachers and the community together to develop a charter agreement, which reflects the best interests of both in providing academic excellence for students. He has re-written the $AW Program to adapt it for special education students and Suspension Out of School Alternative (SOSA) students. Through his efforts, the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce has been a model for educational involvement. He initiated and developed the Businessmen’s Substitute and is actively recruiting and motivating businesses to be a part of the unique endeavor. His leadership, organization and dedication have resulted in these programs serving as models for other communities.

Birnie is also a volunteer with the Florida Engineering Society and the District Advisory Committee for DeLand Middle School and High School. He has served as President of the School Improvement Committee at Blue Lake Elementary and was a member of the Superintendent’s Search Committee. He is also the mentoring contact for the Florida Department of Transportation and has given up most of his vacation time for educational volunteer work.

Birnie has enthusiastically dedicated himself to making Volusia County Schools the best in the state. His faithful commitment to the students and the education process is evident by his participation in numerous venues. Volusia County’s effectiveness in education students has been enhanced and enriched by his ongoing pledge to make education a priority for the community.

THE SHUSTER BROTHERS

Volunteer service is a way of life and a family affair for the Shuster brothers. For the past several years, Stephen (20), Justin (18), JP (18)and Alex (15) have dedicated much of their free time serving others. They have given over 150 hours volunteering every Saturday afternoon at the Spring Hill Recreation Center working with the Adapted Aquatic Program.

Spring Hill has over 30 athletes who register for Special Olympics Trainings three sessions annually. These athletes with developmental disabilities are true champions in every sense of the word. They train, work hard, and stay focused on reaching their goal. The athletes are intent on success. Success to them may not mean winning every race but overcoming all the obstacles.

Volunteers are the key at Spring Hill. Students require individual training and the Shuster brothers are dedicated servants at the facility. Stephen, Justin, JP and Alex fill the need at the center. They are competitive swimmers who give back to their sport and to their community by sharing their talents. The brothers make a commitment to make a difference.

Parents, as well as the swimmers and coaches admire each of the brothers. The Shusters know the importance of being a consistent part of the athlete’s lives. They take great pains to build the bond of trust that is so crucial to teaching new skills. One young swimmer was fearful of water, but over the weeks of classes; he acquired the confidence to trust the boys and know they would be on each side of him while he swam. The young boy was able to continue his lessons and competed in the Special Olympics State Meet.

The Shusters’ knowledge of swimming and their excellent communication skills have equipped them well for their service. The athletes are at ease with them, and the brothers consistently encourage and build-up their self-esteem. The brothers work hand in hand with the coach to set individual goals and help the team work together to achieve them. Safety is the focus; however, the Shusters always make sure everyone has fun also. They lead team games at the end of the classes to build relationships and promote unity.

The Volunteer Center of Fairfax, Virginia recognized the Shuster brothers for their contribution to the community with the 1997 Family of the Year Award. The McLean Rotary Club awarded Stephen with the Community Service Award for his outstanding efforts in the Fairfax area.

The Shuster brothers have given of themselves to provide others with love and time. These young men have provided personal attention and one-on-one instruction that is needed for these athletes to reach for the “gold”. While their emphasis is on teaching swimming, they have also developed a relationship with the athletes. They inspire the athletes and let them know they are special people and can succeed at their goals in life.

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

In 1996 former Tennessee Valley Authority Director William H. Kennoy, founded the Weekend Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. TVA is a federal corporation, the nation’s largest producer of electricity, a regional economic development agency and a steward of the Tennessee River basin. TVA is governed by a three-member Board of Directors that are nominated by the President of the United States. Director Kennoy realized that TVA and other companies have a responsibility to serve as exemplary models of corporate citizenship. Demographic research showed that the greatest level of economic need was in the central city adjacent to TVA’s headquarters. Intent on making a difference, Director Kennoy focused attention on inner-city children, the future leaders and workforce of their downtown communities.

In response to Director Kennoy’s interest, TVA University, TVA’s corporate training organization, was asked to develop the Weekend Academy as a corporate citizenship initiative designed to connect resources of downtown employers with the children of their neighboring communities. A planning committee comprised of TVA employees, education and community leaders was assembled to give input to program development.

Since 1996 the program has expanded to Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville, Tennessee. TVA has provided major funding of approximately $50,000 per site per year and use of appropriate TVA facilities. In each city 50 inner-city children are selected by their respective school system to participate in educational and enrichment opportunities led mainly by TVA and community volunteers on weekends in the downtown headquarters of local businesses. Children in the 3rd through 5th grade are shown that there is a place for them in the future of their community. This age range was selected based on research that showed it to be critical to future academic success.

Highly interactive participatory sessions on topics including science, mathematics, computers, and cultural diversity are held twice a month in all four major Tennessee cities. Field trips are planned to augment learning sessions. Since its inception in 1996, more than 400 children and their families have benefited from the program. At least 100 TVA employees have donated approximately 500 hours of volunteer time to Weekend Academy students. Since 1996 TVA has also awarded graduating Weekend Academy students surplus computers for their use in pursuing academic goals.

Evaluation of the Weekend Academy is continuous and is managed through TVA University. School principals and teachers report that students have achieved greater academic success as a result of their Weekend Academy experience. Parents speak of improved self-esteem and excitement regarding learning. Longitudinal tracking to students sustained progress as a result of the Weekend Academy is planned. Early results are overwhelmingly positive.

TVA has supported the transition of the Weekend Academy from a TVA-sponsored program to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

VIRGINIA COOKE

Virginia Cooke, affectionately known in the volunteer community as “Ginny,” has done more to benefit people with disabilities in Illinois than most people do in a lifetime. She has built connections in the community that foster ongoing involvement, and her work has not only impacted those with disabilities, but their families as well.

Since she was 13 years old, Cooke has had a genuine concern for people with disabilities. At this young age, she began to volunteer for Misericordia, a residential home in Chicago that services people who have physical and cognitive concerns. This initial experience was the beginning of a mission that Cooke completed as an adult, to serve those who are undeserved and looked at as underdogs.

For the past eight years, Cooke was the executive director of Illinois Partners in Policymaking, and in 1997 founded Phoenix Perth Institute, a small nonprofit organization. The mission of the organization is to educate, improve the quality of life for those with disabilities and to empower families of those with disabilities. Though Cooke receives a minimal salary for her duties as director, she is at the job from seven in the morning to midnight. Her work touches people all over the state with diverse geographic, ethnic, and economic levels. She teaches people to work pro-actively with those in positions to make laws that affect family members. In addition to that, she teaches them that their children should have goals and dreams and that they can attain them.

Cooke has been a dream maker and a miracle worker for families of those with disabilities. She goes about her tasks with humor and joy and takes pride in teaching people to discover their tools they already have to do her job themselves. Her attitude and energy inspires people to achieve what they never thought possible. As a result of her leadership, families who go through the Partners program become familiar with their legislators in order to achieve certain goals. Some of them even go on to serve on state boards, committees, and task forces along with holding leadership roles both statewide and locally.

Cooke’s ceaseless efforts have resulted in policy changes within the state of Illinois. Now, there is money written into the state budget for family support and respite issues and more children are being included in mainstream courses. Her involvement in this area has spanned 20 years, and her involvement with the Partners in Policymaking has lasted for eight years and will continue well into the future.

Ginny Cooke’s innovative approach to solving problems involves those with concerns. She insists that those most affected should be educated. Her commitment in providing opportunities for all people to achieve their fullest potential is what she believes will help others to change their attitude and continue to change our lives.

THERESA WOZNIAK

Theresa Wozniak began volunteering for the Chicago Cultural Center in 1996. She focused on mobilizing other seniors like herself that were interested in giving back to their community as well as providing visitor and tourist information for the City of Chicago. She and her volunteers share a love for their neighborhoods and a desire to educated tourists and people from other communities to appreciate the diversity of Chicago. For her efforts, Wozniak was honored as the 1999 Hospitality Guide of the Year by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

For the past three years, Wozniak has also served as President of the St. Camillus “Golden-Agers Society,” is a member of the Holy Name Society, and on the parish council for the St. Camillus Parish on Chicago’s Southside. She also organized her group to assist Chicago in May of1998 at Midway Airport with a meet and greet team for a five-day international tourism conference that was held in the city. This group, called “Team Midway,” is still going strong and has been used as a catalyst for a similar program at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. By talking with literally thousands of travelers, many new to Chicago, Wozniak and her team have been successful in changing the attitudes of people. Reaching out to strangers has built a positive bridge for the city.

Wozniak has also found time to organize various projects like “Volunteer Dollies,” “Theresa House,” and “The Mantel.” Volunteer Dollies was started in 1999 when Wozniak collected, cleaned and brushed up previously loved dolls, stuffed animals and toys for children in need. Theresa House is a shelter for homeless families that works as a partnership with Port Ministries. The Mantel is a daycare facility for parents who are working to earn their GED in addition to families being assisted through Mayor Daley’s Sharing It Anonymously Program. Theresa Wozniak does not work for recognition but to change lives. Though she is rewarded every time she sees the wide eyes of a little girl gazing into the eyes of her new doll.

Though her plate is full, Wozniak also finds time to serve as a legislative representative for VFW Rhine Post 2729. She especially enjoys the time spent there because she is able to serve as a voice for seniors and her community. She has touched many lives in the city of Chicago and throughout the world. Her efforts to welcome and help all persons visiting Chicago have had a tremendous impact on the community as a whole.

NEW BREMEN EMERGENCY SQUAD

The New Bremen Emergency Squad was created in 1975. Since then, they have provided service, above and beyond what is expected, in their rural community of Ohio. The members of this local group have volunteered their time and talents to provide the city of New Bremen with emergency medical care. In addition to their demanding duties as squad members, they have also been quite active in developing numerous community projects. The team provides emergency care at all local sporting events, festivals, and community gatherings. During the past several years, they have also provided free bicycle helmets for every New Bremen student in kindergarten through sixth grade.

In addition to this, the New Bremen Emergency Squad recently started a lay rescuers training program for members of the community. The participants receive a free four-hour training session in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and hands-on practice using automated external defibrillators (AED). Four AED units were donated and installed in the elementary and high school buildings. These facilities are high traffic areas for the community. Along with the regular school day, the buildings are used for extracurricular activities, clubs, scout meetings, parent groups, and other community activities.

According to the American Heart Association, there are 1.1 million heart attacks each year. Many people do not know what to do in the case of an emergency, however. Having individuals trained in the use of AED units will result in saved lives. As word of the units is spreading throughout the community, more citizens are coming forth asking to be trained. The Squad hopes that their initiative will serve as a model, and more communities will take the initiative to train their citizens. This community service is a great first step to help prevent the loss of lives.

New Bremen, Ohio has less than 3,000 residents. Each person in the community is very proud of their Squad and the support that is received from the dedicated team. They have made a difference and will continue to do so by providing education and excellent innovative techniques for saving lives.

DALELIA DAVIS

Dalelia Davis has served the community and the American Red Cross in several capacities. She has proven to be a leader, a reliable volunteer, and an effective spokesperson for youth. Dalelia spearheaded the creation of the Red Cross Club at Decatur High School, has served for two years on the Volunteer Committee of the Morgan-Lawrence County Board of Directors, manned the Red Cross display at businesses during the United Way Campaign, and has registered blood donors and served at blood drives regularly for the past two years.

When the Morgan-Lawrence County Chapter identified involvement of youth in its programs and services as a priority, Dalelia came to the forefront. She has participated in Youth Leadership Morgan County as a leader, spokesperson and dedicated worker. Prior to Dalelia’s dedicated service, youth involvement in various areas was almost non-existent. It was obvious to Dalelia that you had to look to youth for the best ideas and implementation of meaningful involvement for youth.

Dalelia has served on the Volunteer Committee of the Red Cross Board for two years. The first year, she was one of two youth representatives. In the year 2000, she is the sole spokesperson. Dalelia was instrumental in determining the course of the chapter’s youth program. She provided project ideas for youth groups, development of a youth auxiliary – Volunteens –involved in all Red Cross services, and creation of the Decatur High School Red Cross Club.

After attending the Alabama Red Cross Youth Leadership Institute last summer, Dalelia wanted to do something significant and long lasting for the school, the Red Cross and the community. She had a vision of creating the first Red Cross Club at the high school and did so. Once the club was founded, Dalelia stepped back and turned over the leadership to others though she continued to participate as a club member. The Club currently has over 40 dues paying members and did various projects. They taught kindergartners about germs, how the spread, and the importance of washing their hands in their Scrubby Bear Campaign. They also sponsored holiday blood drives and a Penny Project, in which they cleaned and wrapped coins from the fountain donated by a local mall with proceeds designated to the Red Cross youth programs.

The leadership of 17-year old Dalelia Davis resulted in the founding of the Red Cross Club, which has had a tremendous start and will remain a viable extracurricular alternative at Decatur High School. Though she works hard to maintain a 4.28 grade point average, Dalelia continues to serve her community.