AUSTUNY JACKSON

Austuny Jackson is a senior at Las Vegas High School. He is compassionate and cares for others, which is evident in his profound contributions to his school and the Las Vegas community.

Austuny served as Chairman for “Be a PAL Community Service Day” at Las Vegas High School (LVHS). He contacted a wide array of non-profit agencies and volunteered the services of about 140 juniors and seniors who are members of the PAL Program at LVHS, a one-of-a-kind Schools-to-Careers approach to secondary education.

On Tuesday, November 2Oth, (Tuesday before Thanksgiving), the students scattered to twenty-one different non-profit agencies for a day of service. The students completed every job one can imagine. They did cleaning, cooking, moving boxes and furniture, shining windows, sorting canned food as well as packing clothing, landscaping, and other duties. The participating organizations included: Aid for AIDS of Nevada; Alzheimer’s Association; American Cancer Society; American Red Cross; Boys & Girls Clubs; Community Food Bank; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Jewish Family Service; Las Vegas Rescue Mission; MASH Village; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America; Nike House; Safe House; Second Time Around Thrift Store; Shade Tree; St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; St. Vincent Dining Room; and YMCA.

This particular day was an overwhelming success due to Austuny’s preparation, commitment, action and initiative: “Be a PAL Community Service Day” was a Herculean undertaking. Austuny was in charge of the massive event from start to finish. This entailed arranging for 140 students to report to 21 different work sites on the same day.

In society today, teenagers get a “bad rap.” The media is quick to publicize negative teen images: gangs, drugs, and guns. Austuny does not agree. He discussed the positive impact of the “Be a PAL Community Service Day” program on Good Morning Las Vegas on Fox 5 with Lillian McMorris. Channel 3 also covered the event. Austuny highlighted the giving nature of teenagers, one that is often ignored and underreported.

The students that participated with Austuny received an information sheet, which summarizes the impact of Austuny’s efforts. The “Be a PAL Community Service Day” is a time for youth to give back to the community that has given them so much. The teens are able to look at others and become thankful for all that they have. In addition, the teenagers are able to contribute to the well being of the community while helping others who are experiencing difficult times. Though this program is a huge undertaking for Austuny, it helps nonprofit agencies that work 365 days a year helping others.

In addition to this overwhelming undertaking, Austuny has served as an officer in Key Club (a student organization dedicated to community service), fed the homeless on many occasions through his church, and volunteered to officiate a local elementary school field day.

VERA SHELTON

Shelton encourages to the children never to give up. She was diagnosed with cancer, but she did not give up. She received difficult medical treatments, but proceeded to work after a short recovery time and has been at the school almost daily since then. Shelton is an example of compassionate care. She has risen above her own personal problems and continued to give to those who are still in need.

Vera Shelton is now almost 88 years of age. Most people her age have long since retired and enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. Shelton, however, is still going strong serving the youth in her community with an enthusiasm for life. She has worked to improve the lives of countless children she has come in contact with at Park Elementary by improving their learning experience as well as their outlook on life.

Shelton has been a Foster Grandparent since September 1997. Before that time, she was a fixture at Park Elementary School. To date, she has volunteered over 4700 hours of service and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Shelton is affectionately referred to as “Grandma Shelton” at the school due to her soft-spoken yet firm demeanor. She has a wonderful way of encouraging the students and boosting the self-esteem of all whom cross her path. Shelton is reliable, patient and pleasant with the children; she meets them where they are and works to provide what they need.

Many of the children do not have grandparents or they are not nearby. So they are unable to experience the opportunity to develop a relationship with an older adult. Shelton has changed that, and the school hopes her presence will result in the development of more intergenerational relationships between the children and older adults.

JOE ROWE

Boulder City Mayor Robert Ferraro has stated that the “back-bone” of the Boulder City community is the individual who volunteers and makes a difference. Joe Rowe has in fact donated countless hours of his time to do just that.

The community bestows accolades upon him because of all of his volunteer work. He is a compassionate, articulate and dedicated man who does not mind being on the front line to pitch in for those who are in need.

Rowe has contributed countless hours to the Aid Program. He has been instrumental in obtaining non-perishable food staples for the pantry, delivering the food to the Pantry, and shelving the “staples” for distribution to the less fortunate. He takes effective action to ensure that there are sufficient volunteers to aid in the USDA food distribution program. Mr. Rowe even enlisted the services of 14 American Legion members who transport the commodities to the Boulder City distribution center and then boxed the food for distribution to those who qualify for the assistance.

Rowe’s commitment to service is furthermore demonstrated in myriad projects. He solicits donations of Holiday turkeys, hams and the “trimmings” for the Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets so that low-income residents and others with special needs can enjoy a holiday dinner delivered to their residences. In the Christmas Angel Tree program, a joint venture of the Boulder City Emergency Aid Program and the Salvation Army, he has “manned” the Angel Tree, purchased gifts, collected gifts and distributed the gifts to the residences of participating families. He established the “Food for the Needy” program, a special undertaking for those whose lives have been severely affected by the tragedy of 9/11. Overseeing his volunteers, he insured food was collected and distributed.

Additionally, Rowe was a member of “Lend-A-Hand,” and obtained and delivered wheelchairs, walkers and shower accessories to the Senior Program in Searchlight. Through American Legion Post #31, the American Legion presented him “the 2001 Legionnaire of the Year” award. The Legion has been generous in donating financially to the needs of the community. Legion members like Rowe bring to the Post’s attention where donations will best be served in Boulder City. Three years ago he initiated and still coordinates the American Legion Rummage sale, a two-day affair that raised $5000 in 2002 to help children who are involved in Scouting and the Boys and Girls State Program.

All of the abovementioned organizations can attest to the countless hours of service Mr. Rowe rings the bell to help others in need.

ALEXANDRA EPSTEIN

In an age where cynicism and superficiality seem to abound, Ms. Epstein has shown the warmth, honesty, and generosity of spirit that reflect the qualities sought to be instilled in all of the students at The Meadows School.

Her commitment to community service began in ninth grade when she volunteered more than 70 hours of time at Summerlin Hospital. She has continued that commitment through tenth and eleventh grades, assisting personnel in the hospital in translating English to Spanish and Spanish to English, amongst other duties.

At the beginning of this school year, Ms. Epstein became aware of a need in a nearby elementary school for tutorial assistance for teachers facing large classes and growing enrollment. She became determined to help fill this need and established the “Meadows Mentors” program at the Katz-McMillan Elementary School. The goal of the program has been to provide individualized attention in reading in the school, and thereby, to assist the teachers. Ms. Epstein has organized a group of between 10 and 20 students who leave the school 30 minutes early Mondays through Thursdays to meet with students and to spend 45 minutes reading to them. She coordinates the schedules and helps to train the volunteers.

The “Meadows Mentors” program has been very successful not only for the students of Katz-McMillan, but also for the student volunteers as well. She reports that the kids at Katz-McMillan consider some of the tutors as “good friends” and that it is common for tutors to leave the school with handmade “thank-you” notes or big hugs from their students.

The school reports that the tutors have been effective in their role and have provided much needed individualized attention for the youngsters. We have received a great deal of positive feedback as a result of this program and are, of course, very impressed with Alex’s passion and commitment to this ongoing project.

In addition to her community service efforts, Ms. Epstein remains one of the top students in her grade level while challenging a daunting schedule of honors and Advanced Placement classes. She has earned the respect of both her peers and the faculty for her outstanding efforts. Ms. Epstein is a scholar and a humanitarian.

ANTHONY LEANNA

Anthony Leanna, age 11 from Suamico, Wisconsin started a program in April of 2001 called Heavenly Hats .His Heavenly Hats program is a program that collects brand new hats for children and adults who lose their hair due to cancer treatments. As of July of 2002, Anthony has collected over 5,000 brand new hats, from as far away as Australia and has been able to send and deliver them to more than 60 different hospitals and clinics around the United States.

Anthony started this program after he spent a lot of time in different cancer hospitals when his grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Anthony was able to see many people in these hospitals without hair, and asked a lot of questions about their condition and why they did not have any hair. It was shortly after this that Anthony came up with the idea for Heavenly Hats.

He told his mother that he wanted to do something to help the people in the hospitals who had lost their hair. He said if he had cancer and lost his hair, he may feel bad and would want to wear a hat, so some of the patients must feel that way also. He said, “the patients probably would like to have a hat right in the hospital to pick out so that if they don’t feel good when they get out or if they can’t afford to buy one due to the expensive costs of treatments they won’t have to worry about it.” He said he wanted to put a smile on the faces of the people going through a tough time, even if it was just for a minute or two.

It was then that Anthony sat down at his computer and came up with the name Heavenly Hats. He made many flyers and then had his parents drive him to different businesses in the area. He bravely went to the store managers of many stores and asked them if he could place a box or a bucket in their businesses so that people could donate new hats. Soon the media got a hold of the idea and also helped him out. He then got on the phone and called local companies to see if they would donate hats and emailed hat companies around the United States to see if they would be willing to donate hats. The program started to take off and has been going strong ever since. He has even had a girl scout troop in Georgia use his program to earn their Silver Star Award. They were able to collect over 400 brand new hats for this program.

Anthony goes through each hat to make sure that it is new, separates them into categories such as adult hats and children’s hats, bags them all individually and then sends or delivers them to different hospitals and clinics who have requested them. He pays for all of the bags and shipping out of his grass cutting money and allowance. This Heavenly Hats program has touched more people than Anthony ever dreamed it would. He loves to be able to help the cancer patients and has received many rewarding phone calls from very appreciative people.

Anthony’s program means even more to him now than ever before as his dad, Glen was diagnosed with kidney cancer in September of 2002. He underwent a successful surgery in October of 2002 and is doing well. Anthony gave him an “awesome dad” hat.

THE BIG SHOULDERS FUND

The Big Shoulders Fund is a not-for-profit organization, which was founded in 1986 by the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin to provide support to Catholic inner-city schools. The mission of the Big Shoulders Fund is to provide assistance to those schools which serve the poor and disadvantaged in the neediest parts of inner city Chicago. In the past sixteen years, the Fund has raised more than $120 million, which has provided support for day-to-day operations, tuition assistance, special education programs, faculty development, salaries and ongoing operating and capital expenses.

As part of the larger Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic school educational system, Big Shoulders Fund sponsored Catholic schools are an important resource for the disadvantaged. Today’s students are challenged with succeeding against overwhelming circumstances. Many of the students face challenging, disruptive family situations, gangs, crime, drugs, poverty and racism.

Through the years, Big Shoulders has helped provide Catholic schools, their students and families with the ability to meet challenges and difficulties head on. The students need a solid, positive educational experience that will provide them with the tools to succeed in school, in their careers and in society since over half of the students attending Big Shoulders Schools live in families, which are at or below the poverty level.

The Big Shoulders Catholic Schools are value-based safe havens for the students who attend them. The students are disciplined, determined to succeed, respectful and represent a rich resource to meet the future employment needs of many Chicago-based companies. By educating these students, the Big Shoulders Fund hopes to help to break the cycle of poverty.

It is ever so important to provide every possibility for students to have the opportunity to attend both Catholic elementary and high schools. In some families, findings show that the older children are transferred to other schools in order to enable their younger siblings to attend Catholic elementary schools. By providing students with high quality educational opportunities, the Big Shoulders Fund hopes to ensure that they are placed on the road to successful, fulfilling lives.

The Big Shoulders Fund has always emphasized scholarship funding which provides students with the incentive to excel to the best of their intellectual abilities. The Big Shoulders Scholarship Program raises funds to bridge the gap between the actual cost of tuition and what the parents can afford to pay. Among the challenges facing families, none is more urgent than the task of educating their children. Many parents are struggling to keep their heads above water and make a living adequate enough to feed, clothe and educate their children. Still others live with a grandparent or are in foster care, or are the innocent victims of disease, drug abuse or neglect. Support from the Big Shoulders Scholarship Programs helps to assure a nurturing academic environment for these youngsters, one that provides them with the all-important foundation they will need to meet the challenges and the opportunities that await them.

Among other recent projects undertaken, the Big Shoulders Fund established a Patron’s Program that enables individuals, corporations or other foundations to become more involved in the schools sponsored by the Fund. Currently there are 16 Patron Schools associated with the Big Shoulders Fund.

Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago is heartened at the success the Big Shoulders Fund enjoys. “We know, because of our mutual involvement in the Big Shoulders Fund, that we are moving forward in serving inner city children. Yet, we also realize that there are many challenges before us. For example, for every one scholarship that it awarded through the Big Shoulders Fund, there are eight students who do not receive support. That is one of the many reasons why the need for increased support from the Big Shoulders Fund is so vital to the future of our inner city Catholic schools. In working together to strengthen these schools, I am confident that we can meet these challenges head on and achieve even greater success.”

HENRY ZARROW

Sixteen years ago, a group of concerned citizens formed a task force to evaluate the needs of the homeless in Tulsa. After several weeks of study, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry was approached to be the supporting agency for the newly planned Day Center for the Homeless. TMM indicated that the organization would support the idea, but funding must be secured. The facts were presented to Mr. Zarrow, who immediately committed himself to raising money for the new program. Without his commitment, the Day Center might still be just a great idea.

For many years, Mr. Zarrow chaired the Day Center’s annual campaign, fundraising approximately $900,000 each year to keep their doors open. Setting goals and reaching them has always been his objective. However, his resolution has been to give the homeless of Tulsa the very best services possible. Mr. Zarrow never seems to see roadblocks to progress. He proceeds with absolute resolution. His positive attitude and determination are an inspiration to all who know and work with him. He seems to shun recognition and is quick to pass praise on to others who have been involved. At age 86, he continues to work quietly and modestly for many programs.

Mr. Zarrow’s good works reach across racial and religious boundaries. He has been given numerous recognitions and awards from as early as 1979 to the present for brotherhood, leadership, humanitarianism, outstanding support of services, as well as two honorary doctorates.

Mr. Zarrow, along with his sister-in-law Maxine Zarrow, stepped forward—like he has so many times in the history of the Day Center, and donated a square block of land just southwest of the existing shelter upon discovering that the current facility was deteriorating, overcrowded, and offered little respite and limited services to the needy. Under the guiding hand of Mr. Zarrow, and with the generous support of Tulsa’s philanthropists, a new facility designed to meet the specific needs of the guests, opened on January 9, 1995.

With an annual budget now exceeding $1,000,000, Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless continues to rely upon the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations solicited by Mr. Zarrow. In addition, the Day Center is supported by the Tulsa Area United Way and limited public funds. Mr. Zarrow recently completed a quiet endowment campaign raising $2,500,000 from Tulsa philanthropists to secure the future of our organization.

In June 2001, the Board of Directors hosted a reception to honor Mr. Henry for his contribution to the Day Center. More than 200 invitations were issued. Individuals were invited to write a personal note to Mr. Zarrow. These notes were filled with praise and gratitude for his gentle manner, commitment, and humble attitude toward giving.

DR. TURNER HARRIS

After four decades of practicing radiology with Radiology Associates at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, Dr. Turner Harris retired in 1996. Instead of playing golf, he began recruiting retired physicians to donate their time to care for people in medically underserved areas of Little Rock.

“I noticed physicians who were in practice before me were retired and playing a lot of golf. I told my friends we still had medical knowledge and expertise and now was the perfect time to give something back to the community,” Dr. Harris said.

Harris organized the first meeting of the St. Vincent Emeritus Physicians Club, bringing about 40 retired physicians to a luncheon where Harris again shared his idea. By the end of the month, five doctors who were sincerely interested had committed to something, but they did not know what exactly.

After several months of discussion, Catholic Health Initiatives, a national nonprofit medical health care organization of which St. Vincent is a member, agreed to cover the cost of malpractice insurance for retired physicians who volunteered their services. While Dr. Harris was recruiting physicians, a St. Vincent-led community coalition opened two community clinics. It was a logical step for volunteer physicians to treat people who needed medical care at these community health clinics. Because of Dr. Harris’ efforts, physicians maintain their skills and community residents can have their medical needs met. Now nine physicians volunteer a portion of the day at four community clinics located in community centers or churches.

Altogether, physicians at the four clinics treat almost 5,000 people a year. Since June 1998, prescriptions valued at $221,402 dollars have been given to more than 2,000 people who could not afford their own prescriptions.

“We’re taking care of a segment of our population the way the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who founded St. Vincent, did in the 1880s,” Harris said.

LAURA PLUMMER

The Rise is a transitional housing facility for women and their children who have been victims of domestic violence. A major objective of the program is to prepare the residents to become independent and self-sufficient by furthering their education and training. This will then result in their achieving gainful employment. Laura Plummer has been serving as a volunteer at the Rise for the past two years.

In partnership with members of Middle Way House’s professional staff, Plummer has helped to establish and develop a tutoring program at the Rise. Drawing on her professional expertise as the Assistant Director of the Campus Writing Program at Indiana University Bloomington, Plummer has helped residents to master all kinds of writing assignments and skills. She has worked with resumes and letters to prospective employers, class papers and essays, and she helps with basic math and computer training.

Plummer has promoted the tutoring program to the residents, established her own goals for it, recruited tutors and oriented new volunteers. In doing this work, she has demonstrated deep commitment, genuine sensitivity, unusual initiative and a true vision. Plummer empowers the women with whom she works to recognize their talents and strengths and to produce work that represents their best capabilities.

Giving generously of her time, Plummer has helped to establish the tutoring program at the Rise and at Middle Way House, its parent facility, ensuring that it will continue to serve as a significant resource to the residents. By this means, she has contributed in a major way to the economic and social rehabilitation of these victims of domestic violence, enabling them to restore some calmness and stability to their lives.

PAUL MARION

Paul Marion volunteers for Clermont County Habitat for Humanity (CCHFH) to help build simple, decent housing for Habitat partners families in need. Marion does more than pound some nails; three years ago, he accepted the role of site Manager to coordinate and direct CCHFH’s first corporate blitz build. He had to prepare the construction site, order materials, coordinate building inspections, oversee subcontractors, and manage 10-30 skilled and unskilled volunteers on any given day. All of this activity was scheduled for a two-week blitz build that ended with the family ready to move in following the House Dedication Ceremony. Since the initial blitz training, Marion has managed three new constructions, two complete rehabs, one refurbished home, and worked on TriState Habitat’s blitz builds in Lebanon and Northern Kentucky. Routinely, he recruits and trains other volunteers to build for the partner families as well, and goes out of his way to aid the families in other activities of daily living.

When Marion started volunteering for Clennont HFH the workers worked on Saturday and sometimes one evening a week in the summer months. Now there is a crew working every day at some site; this is because of Marion’s encouragement, leadership and his own desire to get more houses built.

Clermont HFH is twelve years old. Until the past few years they were able to build one or two houses a year, but with the help of Marion’s dedication and high performance they have been able to complete four houses this year. He has also given the feelings of dignity and pride of ownership to partner families. The elimination of substandard housing improves a community value system that empowers pride and self-determination. Stable housing has lead to a better living standard and improved educational achievement by the children of Habitat families.

Marion seeks no recognition for his service, and also now devotes six days a week to this Christian ministry. All of his time is devoted to the faithfulness of the ministry of HFH and gives freely of his skills in active listening, conflict resolution, consensus building and being a model for others to follow. Marion gives to Habitat for Humanity in so many different ways. After his retirement he was looking for a way to enrich his life and be useful to his community. He didn’t want to just stay home and watch television or go fishing. HFH has a goal of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness throughout the world and Marion is helping them do that in our community.