BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

The Berkeley Public Library has been a bedrock of civic and intellectual pursuits, sustaining and improving the quality of life in Berkeley and the surrounding communities. The Library was first established in 1893 in downtown Berkeley because community leaders were concerned about young men spending too much time in the local pool hall. It featured oil heating and lighting and 264 books. Today, the volunteer-driven Berkeley Public Library Foundation is building a new library of which the community can be proud.

The 18-member Board of Directors all actively volunteer their time, energy and dollars to make the community’s dream come true. They read to the children, table events, host parties, act as ambassadors in the community, and govern the organization. The volunteer Board has built this opportunity into an organization that will continue to support the library for years to come. The community of Berkeley loves its library and uses it more than any library in California per capita. They have over 153,000 cardholders and receive over 1.4 million visits annually. The number of library users continues to expand, as over 1,500 individuals sign up for new library cards each month.

Berkeley last built a library in 1931, but by 1996 it had become antiquated, cramped, inaccessible and seismically unsafe. After years of planning, volunteers led a successful campaign, resulting in the approval of a $30 million bond measure to renovate and expand. Legally, however, the funds could not be used to furnish and equip the new library. So, in 1997, the same group of dedicated volunteers formed the nonprofit Berkeley Public Library Foundation to raise $3.7 million to complete the project. Over 5,000 people have contributed to the campaign since that time and over $3.5 million has been raised.

When the new library reopens, it will have more than doubled in size. A new 150-seat Community Meeting Room will host free concerts and book readings. It will also provide adequate space for community dialogue. In addition to that, the Children’s Room will triple in size and boast a new Activity Room and Teen Center. The library will bridge the digital divide by providing over 100 Internet-access computers to the public. For the first time in history, the Library will also be seismically safe and completely accessible to disabled community members. None of this could have been a reality without the volunteers of the Berkeley Public Library Foundation.

STEVE KEIM

On May 3, 1999, deadly tornadoes hit the state of Oklahoma. Hundreds of families were displaced, and thousands of homes and personal vehicles were destroyed. There was a critical need for personal goods of clothing, food, water, baby items and even pet supplies. Before the cry went out for help, Oklahomans were mobilizing to help their own neighbors.

Steve Keim heard the cry for help and heeded the call. He took it upon himself to enlist his fellow employees at Conoco to action. First, he contacted the Philanthropic Volunteer Employee Coordinator to assure that efforts were not duplicated. He then made the necessary arrangements to have a table set up in a heavy traffic area, signs constructed, volunteers mustered and donation boxes made available.

Keim spent his lunch hour working with other employees to collect monetary donations and goods for the tornado victims. Less than three hours later, Keim and his fellow recruits had collected over three thousand dollars in addition to non-perishable foods, health and beauty aids and pet supplies. That same evening, Keim volunteered his time at the local Salvation Army. There, he helped load items being sent to the affected areas.

The story does not end there. Conoco arranged to have a trailer available the next day. Its purpose would be for employees to bring any items they wished to donate to the relief effort. Keim unloaded cars, helped load the trailer and even made and labeled boxes. He tabulated the contributions and did whatever else was necessary to help the operation flow smoothly. He continues to work with the effort at the Conoco complex and within the community to aid those who are still experiencing some displacement due to the tornadoes.

Keim received a certificate of appreciation from the Philanthropic Office. They could not offer any monetary award, but he advised even if they did, he would not have accepted it. He felt the Feed the Children or Salvation Army would need any monies earmarked for him to help those still fighting to get back to normalcy.

Steve Keim was a beacon of hope to his community. He did not hesitate to not only help those in need but to organize a lot of the effort. He selflessly gave of any and all of his free time and enlisted others to do the same. He embodies the true spirit of service.

ROBERT WALTERS

For Bob Walters, service to country and community has been a singular way of life. Bob Walters has spent most of his life in a uniform. From his high school ROTC program in Indiana to his military service in Korea, from his Sergeant uniform as a member of the Warrenville Police Force to his participation in the VFW Memorial Post 8081 Color Guard, Walters has proudly served his county and his adopted community. Walters moved to Chicago after the Korean War, and has been an active member of the community in Illinois since then.

Bob Walters is an action and achievement-oriented person who has volunteered to address community needs for almost 50 years. His individual initiative has inspired scores of others to follow in his path of service. He has been a volunteer police officer, City Alderman, School Board member, Commander of VFW Post 8081, 30-year member of the Red Brigade Color Guard and 25-year chair of the “Voice of Democracy” program to encourage high school students in patriotic writing and speaking.

Walters was also the force in getting 140 veterans graves marked. He conducted a study of the Warrenville Cemetery and went through the cemetery books one page at a time. He found there were approximately 140 veterans from all the war periods buried there. As a result of his work, the Warrenville Cemetery Association identified most of the unmarked graves and successfully petitioned Washington to provide gravestones for the Veterans buried in the Cemetery. He is continuing his effort and inputting the information in his computer to assist the Warrenville Historical Society in the work to establish a new city museum.

Walters’ most recent activity as Director of the Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA) has recruited 25 more volunteers. They attend regularly scheduled training sessions and are routinely called out to assist in emergency situations. He receives a $200 per month stipend for this work, but that barely covers the out of pocket costs for telephone calls, computer expenses and auto expenses related to the work he performs.

Walters is so self-effacing in the work he does that most people are not aware of the multitude of activities in which he is involved. His efforts are not for recognition but from the heart. Though he was not born in Warrenville, he is a true son of the town and has made great strides in making the community the place it is today. He was honored as the Parade Marshall for the year 2000 Warrenville July 4th Parade.

HARRIET WEIGEL

Harriet Weigel suffered a lengthy work-related injury, and her bout with this disability inspired an everlasting respect for people with disabilities. She also became a champion of the disabled as a result. Weigel was horrified to visit a convalescent home and see an elderly man, alone and penniless, dying in the friendless environment and ashamed to speak to her because he was naked and lying in a pool of his own urine. She was also touched when she said good night to another resident and tucked the covers around her and kissed her cheek goodnight. The woman told her no one else ever tucked her in and no one else ever kissed her goodnight.

Before her injury, she had devoted 10 years of her life to serving her community. Weigel discovered a sense of purpose in caring for the lost and lonely. She has brightened the day of the terminally ill person who has opted to die with dignity in their own home as well as the elderly individual that spends every hour of their life in a convalescent center waiting for a visitor that never arrives.

In our fast paced lives, most of us do not feel that we can take the time to care. Harriet’s response to someone is not “hello” but “I love you,” and she does. Her love is action, and it is displayed daily. Since her retirement, Harriet carries out her passion full-time. Whether on the phone, on her computer, or in the community. She learned that real value comes not from the bottom line but from people and their relationships. Her passion drives her to be continually advocating for others, using her networking skills to care and mobilize volunteers.

Literally thousands of people are impacted through Harriet’s work. The difference in the community is hard to define because it has a ripple effect. She knows everyone and connects them with each other. She has built a wheelchair path to the beach, works for different hospice programs, organizes prayer chains for those who are dying, recruits other service volunteers, raise funds for various programs and gets churches to have wheelchairs available so the disabled do not have to transport one. One of her most innovative projects is Sabbath Sunday where she brings together a variety of people with varied faiths that have disabilities at a non denominational facility to fellowship with one another.

She also works with the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Association, American Legion Auxiliary Oxnard Unit #48, ARC of Ventura County, Area Agency on Aging, Bread of Life Ministry, Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Christians In Business Network, and Ventura County Volunteer Coordinators Council. In 1998 she was awarded a Volunteer Service Award from the Sheriff’s Department. During 1999 she was honored by the ARC of Ventura, Sheriff’s Department Volunteer Service Award, Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the City of Oxnard and she received a certificate of special Congressional Recognition as Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Weigel is called the “unseen angel” in Ventura County. She loves her community the same way she loves her six children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grand children. She and her son, Bill, who is developmentally disabled, visit nursing homes and Bill plays the guitar and Harriet offers other means of comfort. Harriet encourages people to make a difference and augment medical care with personal care, human contact, and inspiration.

DULLES HIGH SCHOOL PEER ASSISTANCE LEADERSHIP SKILLS CLASS

The goal of the Dulles High School Peer Assistance Leadership Skills (PALS) Class has been the elimination of substandard low-income housing. In the summer of 1998, these Sugar Land, Texas, high school students had a thought. They wanted to raise funds and build a Habitat for Humanity home. It was a daunting undertaking since they would have to raise $35,000 in sixth months, but with the deep commitment of their leader and a sense of optimism, they accepted the challenge. In March of 1999, they had completed a new home for the family of a school employee, which was dedicated in a ceremony that brought tears to the eyes of the volunteers.

PALS have assisted in home renovations, and realized they could make an even greater impact. The leader of the PALS discovered that one of the school workers lived in a small two-bedroom apartment with his family of seven, and they knew that was where they had to begin. Ms. Kay Slack, the leader of the PALS met with the Dulles High School Principal and the President of the Fort Bend Habitat. PALS selected to work with Habitat as a part of their annual Philanthropy project because of their burden for those in low-income housing. To tackle the immediate task of raising funds, the PALS called on the officers of all the school clubs. All of the organizations agreed to assist and soon everyone in the school was involved. PALS students solicited donations from community civic clubs, individuals, banks and other businesses. In addition to that, school-wide fundraisers were held. This student-led effort bound every facet of the community.

Habitat for Humanity agreed to go ahead with the project “on faith” if where was $20,000 in the bank by December 31st, and miraculously, it was. In January of 1999, the project began and the PALS continued to raise the remainder of the money needed to complete the project. The PALS kept journals throughout the process and the entries show the dedication, concern, sense of pride and excitement in helping someone else. The students had mishaps with hammers and worked long hours, but they could not wait to return the next week to be one step closer to completion. Many of the PALS recruited family and friends in addition to students from other high schools. The family for whom the home was being built also put in many hours of “sweat equity”. Teachers worked alongside students, and students from diverse groups in schools worked side by side.

Their deep commitment to improving low-income housing gave life to the dream of building a home. Once the decision was made, this commitment kept the students motivated, even when it looked as though the goal might not be reached. When the first wall was raised, all were in awe as they realized their dream was a reality. An entire community had become a family because of PALS. They learned that through hard work, commitment, dedication and collaboration, dreams could come true.

The PALS believed that putting other people above your need is what fulfills you as a person. The satisfaction of all those who are involved with Dulles High School PALS reinforces how precious helping others is. This initial project reminded their community that love and kindness is still ever present. Their motivation is boundless. The PALS are called “A Symphony in Service” and are currently renovating and improving other low-income housing in their area.

COURTESY COACH DRIVERS AND AIDES

The Courtesy Coach Drivers and Aides are a group of compassionate and dedicated volunteers. Their mission is to support the Saint Joseph Health System by providing transportation for the local and rural community members to and from doctor’s appointments. The Tawas City, Michigan, group now boasts 14 drivers.

The Courtesy Coach Drivers and Aides were organized in 1997. This organization was born a result of Tawas City Saint Joseph Health System’s realization that there was a problem with some of their patients returning for follow-up treatment and preventive care. After some research, it was determined that the patients were unable to come back to Saint Joseph’s due to lack of transportation or access to public transportation. The Volunteer Service Department, headed by Catherine Nickell-Simpson, recognized the need and put a plan in motion to meet this need. After two years of program evaluation and fund raising efforts, the Courtesy Coach Drivers and Aides became a reality. The efforts of the Saint Joseph Healthcare System Auxiliary were instrumental in the programs implementation. By July of 1997, approximately $30,000 had been raised to purchase a 1997 GMC handicapped-accessible van that includes a wheelchair lift.

The next phase of the project was recruiting people to drive the “coach.” The Volunteer Service Department solicited workers from among those who were already volunteering at the hospital, and initially were contacted by five people who were willing to drive without receiving a paycheck. The drivers are responsible for completing two days of training, which includes a volunteer orientation program and handicap sensitivity training. They are also responsible for meeting the hospital’s infection control training requirements. The drivers are required to have a current chauffeur license, First Aid, Safety, and CPR training as well as hands on training to operate the van and the van’s wheelchair lift.

By 1998 the Courtesy Coach Drivers and Aides logged in 1,846 hours transporting patients 19,336 miles. By 1999, the volunteers increased to 14 drivers and logged in 2,875 hours covering 26,153 miles. They drive five days a week and as much as 200 miles a day. Their volunteer work can start as early as six in the morning and end at six in the evening. They also service five counties in the Michigan area.

The corps of volunteers who provide this service strive to ensure their passengers are met with compassion, caring and patience. They assist with the comfort and safety of the residents of various nursing homes in Tawas City as well as those who live independently. The Aides are just as integral to the operation as the drivers. They act as a navigator for the drivers and assist the riders when they enter and exit the van. Both the drivers and the aides are thoughtful and caring people who enjoy making a difference for the people they transport. They count it a joy to be able to bring some relief into someone else’s life. Some days the drivers and aides treat the patients to an ice cream cone or buy them lunch. Their acts of kindness and cheerful countenance make a patient’s day much brighter.

VIOLET PARIS

Project Graduation is an all-night, drug-free event that is held for graduates of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School after their commencement exercises. Mrs. Violet Paris has been the Coordinator of the Project Graduation Program for the past six years. This program begins about an hour after the graduation ceremonies and lasts until sunrise the next day. Its aim is to have wholesome yet enjoyable activities for graduates that will keep them safe.

Traffic fatalities are still the leading killer of teens between the ages of 15 and 19. Project Graduation events are held to prevent deaths on the highways caused by teen drivers, especially those who illegally drink and then drive. It also relieves parents of worry and stress of the safety of their child on commencement night by providing a secure, safe party environment. All parents will know exactly where their graduates are and what is being offered at the celebration.

Paris’ concern was for the traffic fatalities – senseless deaths on the freeways – that were happening in her community and the communities-at-large to teenagers, especially during graduation time. It was this same concern that motivated her to volunteer for the position of coordinator for Nanakuli High and Intermediate School’s Project Graduation.

In addition to this, her community had a high rate of drug and alcohol abuse. She saw the program as a tool to defer needless deaths on the freeways and give them a positive alternative without alcohol or drugs. This was a means used to break down the traditions that were once in place and save lives while still celebrating. The program has helped keep them off highways and has saved lives.

Project Graduation keeps the students involved in the planning process because they have to provide information of what events they would like to have held and the Coordinator and the committee does the research and makes it all happen. Another integral part of the program is the fact that there is no cost involved. Other schools assess each student a fee to participate due to the high cost involved, but Paris has never charged anyone. Knowing that no additional money has to be spent during the high-cost time of graduation helps draw the students to celebrate.

Funds for this project are obtained through annual fundraising. Sponsors are solicited through local businesses. Paris has innovative ideas to secure funds. Along with these fund-raisers, she makes a personal contribution of $200 monthly – though most people are unaware of this – which again shows her wholehearted commitment to the program. Along with this program, Paris is a foster mom with the State of Hawaii Judiciary Courts. She nurtures and cares for teenagers that have already been in trouble at a young age. She is a woman who gives of herself unselfishly and never hesitates to help someone who is in need.

RICHARD HAAS

Richard Haas has been an outstanding volunteer at two of the local nursing homes in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. In addition to that, he has participated in service with the Volunteer Services of Barron County – Interfaith for the past two years.

Haas was injured 10 years ago when he fell from the roof of his home onto a concrete sidewalk. The accident left him in a coma for six days. Four months of hospitalization followed. He then had to recuperate from the brain injuries he suffered because of the fall. Haas had to reclaim the use of his abilities to walk and speak, also. The road to recovery was a very long and challenging one, especially since at the time of his fall, he and his wife, Pat had three young children, the youngest being only one year old.

Haas was come a long way from that day 10 years ago. His wife was told he probably would not survive the accident, and if he did, he would probably be in a vegetative state. Haas was determined to recover and began an intensive therapy and rehabilitation plan so he could provide a real family life for his wife and children. He realized he would always suffer some limitations because of his injuries, but he was determined to succeed in recovery.

It was after recuperating from his accident that Haas began volunteering. When he was in the hospital for four months, his wife was at his side almost continually. His friends, parents and other relatives took over caring for their home and helped with the children. Haas knew he was fortunate and had to give back and help others just as he and his family had been helped.

His achievements in volunteering have been numerous. Initially, he was a regular visitor at two nursing homes where he sat and talked to residents who had no family or family that seldom visited. He found the time to be there for them on a regular basis. In 1997, he became a volunteer for Barron County Volunteer Services – Interfaith, which is a non-profit volunteer organization that addresses unmet needs of the frail, elderly and disabled in the county.

Haas rakes leaves, shovels snow, does minor home repairs, respite care and friendly visiting. When called upon, he always finds the time to help those in need. He has maintained an ongoing, friendly visiting relationship with a Parkinson’s patient since 1998, when the gentleman’s sister informed them that her brother was suffering from depression due to being diagnosed with the disease. Haas answered this call and now visits weekly with this man who lives alone. He has helped to cheer him from his depression and has become a source of encouragement to him.

Haas has overcome his own disability and become of living example of hope. His life assists others in overcoming depression and helplessness. He is an excellent example of turning a negative situation into a positive one.

ERMA BAILEY

Erma Bailey is a registered nurse and an active community member who has made great strides in health services, education, disseminating information and mentoring. She is well known among her community. Wherever she sees a need, she develops a plan and ultimately reaches the goal of meeting that need.

Bailey is the Director of Health Ministry at her church. She began a Parish Nurse program at her place of worship, Ramah Baptist Church over three years ago. Acting on her own, she extended her professional career to a volunteer job. Her church, and most of the parishioners, are located in a rural area. Many of the elderly have difficulty getting to and from the doctor, so Bailey dedicates herself to making house calls. She responds to numerous members of the church and the community and her visits are always full of loving care, concern and advice. Sometimes patients may be referred to qualified physicians and if needed, she makes transportation arrangements for them.

As Director of Health Ministry, Bailey and her team have implemented several programs that provide vital information and services to her congregation and the community at large. The programs include monthly health related seminars that cover subjects such as AIDS awareness, diabetes, alcoholism and drug addiction, proper diet and exercise, hearing, hypertension, communication, cancer and other illnesses that are prevalent in the community. In addition to that, the Ministry includes a Wellness Program which focuses on weight control and provides dietary counseling and exercise classes weekly to assist the participants in reaching their goals as well as monthly blood pressure screenings which result in increased health awareness and a positive attitude towards proper health care.

Bailey launched a program of education, advocacy, counseling and recruiting volunteers – the Parish Nurse Program. Bailey was one of the first to volunteer, taking three days off work without pay for training and completing the necessary courses to pool her efforts at her church with the program at the hospital. During the next six months as the hospital was concluding what it needed to have completed through administration to launch the program, Bailey continued to work full time as an employee and as a volunteer Parish Nurse at Ramah. While the hospital has been training more than 20 nurses in the community for the program, Bailey has been available in an advisory capacity for the Parish Nurses that are just beginning their programs. At the same time, she continues to take advise fellow congregation members about their medications and doctors visits, schedules classes, gives lectures as well as continues to give emotional support to those in need.

Last fall Bailey contacted the Work Site Wellness/Corporate Fitness hospital employees and paired the employees with the church youth in a mentoring program. Healthy Lives, Babies to Adults is Bailey’s most recent project. Parents are given suggestions about becoming more involved in the lives of their children. This program at her church focuses on nurturing, mentoring, tutoring, parenting and grandparenting. Bailey was also actively involved in giving aid to the Turkish earthquake survivors last fall. She collected donations from hospital staff for the Red Cross.

To add to her long list of dedicated service, Bailey currently volunteers as a critical care nurse for Monroe Regional Medical Center and is an on-call nurse for Hospice of Marion County. Her compassion extends to her co-workers, church members, community and even her global neighborhood.

UNITED FOOD OPERATION

Seventeen years ago, a small group of workers involved with the Kanawha Valley Labor Council, AFL-CIO, were concerned over how many of their friends were losing their jobs and having a hard time feeding their families. It was a problem that families throughout West Virginia were facing with the unemployment rate reaching nearly twenty percent. About thirty-eight percent of families fall below the federal poverty guidelines. West Virginia’s families were hungry, and they needed help immediately.

In 1983, and with the guidance of Elaine Harris, Donald Withrow, Ray Pauley and Gary Jarvis, the United Food Operation (UFO) was born. It was born as an effort to feed families in seven or eight counties. Their motto is “there is nothing alien about hunger.” The volunteers personally deliver the food to each of those counties. This was a logistical challenge, and it did not take long for the project to grow too large for a group of volunteers to run. So, UFO underwent some changes, and it became the organization it is today – an all-volunteer group that distributes food to 12 food pantries in Kanawha and Putnam Counties during the months of January, February, and March. These months are when utility bills are the highest, and when it’s hardest to make a limited income stretch far enough to cover even the basics.

The pantries that receive food from UFO are: Covenant House, Elk Valley Improvement Council, Mountain Mission, Rand Food Pantry, St. Albans Care and Share, The Salvation Army, South Charleston Community Civic Council, United Community Service, Upper Kanawha Valley Improvement Council, Christian Community Cupboard, Nitro Community Services, and Putnam Federated Services.

Last year alone, in a shining example of achievement and impact, nearly 30,000 people benefited from the food UFO provided. UFO’s dedication for 18 years is positive proof of both ongoing involvement and great achievement.

The most innovative, and phenomenal, part of UFO is that it is an independent, non-profit organization that relies entirely on donations and volunteers. With no salaries and no overhead, there is much more money to purchase food. The weekly volunteers who help with the food distribution, including students from Job Corps, high school students completing community service credits, various union members, and people from the community, make UFO succeed. In UFO’s 18 years of existence, no volunteer has even received a dime of compensation. All monetary donations go to purchasing food, and all the food goes to feeding the hungry. Through the help of local philanthropists and businesses, UFO has also been provided with rent-free space out of which to operate every year.

UFO has been helping to feed the hungry for more than 18 years, because, as their motto says, “There’s nothing alien about hunger.”