ROBERT SMITH

Robert Smith is the parent of a special needs child. Mr. Smith has been associated with the Challenger League program in Norwood since it was founded in 1994. The mission of the program is to allow those mentally and/or physically challenged children the opportunity to participate in structured athletic programs.

Initially, the league was only for baseball. Children from all age groups now not only have the opportunity to play baseball, but the league has expanded to include basketball, bowling, and other such activities thanks largely to Mr. Smith’s efforts. The children learn to expand their physical skills while they cooperate in team play. There are currently 80 boys and girls in the program from several communities.

In addition to providing recreational activities for these youth, this program serves as a support group for their parents and families and gives local high school students rewarding volunteer opportunities.

Mr. Smith started as a coach and recruiter of his son Robby’s team, and took over as President in 1997. He is a role model for the people of the community. He does everything for the program from getting kids to play to recruiting volunteers of all ages to help out. He has been recognized by the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), which recognizes individuals who contribute to their communities through service and volunteerism. Nancy Korman, Chair of the MSA, has been quoted saying, “Bob’s dedication to this program has enabled disable youth to experience all the benefits of participating in team sports.” Governor Jane Swift recognized Mr. Smith for volunteering his time over the past seven years saying, “Bob has touched many lives – he has helped young people with disabilities to experience the rewards of playing sports, given parents a forum to support one another and inspired others in the community to support the mission of the Challenger League. I salute Bob for his commitment to removing obstacles in the lives of young children and instead providing them with opportunities to succeed.”

ANGELA PHILLIPS

Angela Phillips had been volunteering an average of 60 hours monthly at New Smyrna Beach Middle School for the past three years. She started volunteering to work in the morning school store and afternoon school snack shop when she was in the 6th grade. She managed two businesses on campus and has learned excellent business and communication skills.

The concept of a school store has existed for many years, but under Angela’s direction and inspiration the pencils and paper were expanded to a variety of school supplies, gift items, juice, snacks and food. In the afternoon, students who stay until 5:30 for after-school programs and tutoring can now purchase pizza, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, cookies and hot apple pies. While there was also a small newspaper column existing, Angela expanded the traditional reporting of facts to include color photos and feature “spotlights” on students and clubs.

Angela was responsible for training new student volunteer workers, setting up the work schedule for other staffers for the week, maintaining the inventory stock, reordering supplies and overseeing the operations of the businesses on opposite ends of the campus. In addition, Angela wrote the Middle School News each week for the local newspaper, The Observer. She has played a significant role in transforming the community’s opinion and understanding of middle school by reporting the many positive things that take place. Angela spent many hours working in The School Museum, a new concept, which she has worked hard to establish during her time at New Smyrna Beach Middle School. Working with the local Audubon Club, she worked to establish an active Jr. Audubon Club.

Angela’s attitude and communication skills have created such a positive atmosphere, she serves as an outstanding example to her peers and adults daily. She is positive and greets all those who cross her path. While volunteering, Angela is pleasant and her smile is contagious. Due to her efforts, the businesses have earned more than $15,000 for various programs that would not have existed without her hard work to expand these businesses. She takes pride in all her work, and the weekly column she wrote not only serves to communicate valuable information; but it has helped the community to gain more understanding and respect for students in middle school.

In addition to her work with the school stores, Angela also volunteers at the New Smyrna Beach Christian Church, Southeast Volusia Historical Society and was a Cadet Commander for the Civil Air Patrol – where she was awarded the title of Cadet of the Year 2001.

Angela attends New Smyrna Beach High School now. She returns to the Middle School weekly and on early out days to keep up with programs there. She carries on the tradition of volunteerism with the New Smyrna Beach CAPS Alumni Association, and she participated in the Red Ribbon Organization for a Drug Free Youth’s rally. Angela carries AP Honors classes and has added American Martial Arts and soccer to her schedule.

Angela has had to deal with difficult challenges as a young adult. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, and she is the primary caregiver for her mother’s recovery. Angela carries a lot of responsibility. Her father lives in Virginia and also faces serious medical issues. Angela’s spirit is what keeps both of them going. The highlight of volunteering this year for Angela was of a personal nature. It was assisting her mother walk the lap, as a cancer survivor, for the American Cancer Society of Southeast Volusia County’s Relay for Life.

CATHERINE PEDERSEN

The Granite Education Foundation (GEF) is an organization that was started in 1988 to provide a way for schools and communities to interact in order to provide better educational opportunities for local students of all ages. There are various programs such as mentoring, businesses adopting and sponsoring schools and other youth/adult interactions. The GEF’s slogan is “Invest In Futures” and their mission is “to enable and encourage private individuals and businesses to make a direct and meaningful impact on our children in public education.”

Catherine Pederson volunteers with GEF. She has served faithfully as the President of GEF for two years and has been a member of the Board for five years. She is or has been the chairperson for the Art Auction, School Success and the Self-Esteem Conference. In addition, Pederson has served on the state PTA in excess of 24 years.

Pederson has come to know many of the children and realizes their specific needs. Countless times, without recognition, she has anonymously donated money for specific children in need on numerous occasions. Pederson serves the children of the Granite School District and has surpassed the call of duty for her responsibilities with GEF.

Pederson has been called a “Champion for Children” because of her work. She was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award for 2000 from the Utah Association of Public School Foundations.

BARBARA PHILLIPS

As an Occupational Therapist, Barb Phillips has worked for nearly 10 years with persons diagnosed and living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ; a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that paralyses the muscles and leaves the patient unable to walk, breathe, swallow or talk without the use of special equipment. So in 1996, when she first detected a slight slur in her father’s speech, she feared the worst. Months later, her father was diagnosed with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. During her father’s illness, Phillips found herself frustrated at not being able to adequately demonstrate her love for him. She finally asked her father if there was any task or activity that he wanted to do that he was no longer able to work on. Amazingly, what her father wanted most was to have the family’s New York home readied for the upcoming winter, as he had done every year prior.

While working with ALS patients as an occupational therapist at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA, the idea of helping other ALS patients fulfill their wishes blossomed into the idea for a new volunteer program for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association. She called it Simple Wishes. Since its inception in August 2000, Simple Wishes has directly touched the lives of more than 35 PALS (Persons with ALS) and their families. The program started by using occupational therapists from Rancho, but has expanded to incorporate volunteers from all walks of life – from students to corporate executives.

Some examples of ‘Simple’ Wishes that have been completed include compiling photos into albums for the grandchildren that one PALS will never know, writing a love letter to a husband of 35 years, tending to flowers so the PALS could enjoy her last days in her own backyard garden, and organizing a closet so a PALS’ father could move in. What is repeatedly impressive is the volunteers’ commitments to the PALS. Several volunteers went to great lengths to complete ‘not-so-simple’ wishes as well. One volunteer raised enough money for a PALS to get a helicopter ride over Los Angeles and up the coast, another arranged a meeting with Rick Fox from the LA Lakers and another compiled a video documentary of a Hollywood actor for his family.

In 2002, Phillips created yet another new program for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association – a free loaner pool for EADL equipment. EADL is an acronym for Electronic Aids for Daily Living. They are remote controls that help ALS patients do everything from operating lights and controlling the television, to alerting systems that allow care providers to know that the PALS needs help.

When Phillips was married in April of this year, she and her husband asked wedding guests to make contributions to the new EADL loaner pool in lieu of gifts. Her dedication to helping improve the lives of thousands of ALS patients in the southern California area is an inspiration to all who know her and a living memorial to her father, Peter Weintraub who lost his battle with ALS in 1997.

METRO SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) Search and Rescue team consists of approximately seventy civilian volunteers. These men and women dedicate hundreds of ours each year to the community. The organization is broken into five groups who perform various functions for LVMPD.

The Mountain Rescue team performs High Angle Technical Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and searches. The thirty members of this team spend over one hundred and fifty hours training each year. The team responds to more than eighty rescues each year and save numerous lives. The team is responsible for rescues within the eight thousand square mile boundary of Clark County.

The Bloodhound team performs searches for lost or injured persons. This team of eight handlers and their dogs train a minimum of twelve hours each week. The team is on call to assist not only the Search and Rescue section, but also to assist other sections of the Police department. Most notably was the teams search for a missing seven-year-old girl, Karla Rodriguez.

The Logistics team is responsible for the upkeep and operation of the sections vehicles. They operate the sections mobile Command Post and provide food and water for searchers during a mission. Each member of this team donates four hours per month to maintain the vehicles and equipment.

The Dive team is responsible to provide assistance to the Search and Rescue section in Lake Mead as well as any other man-made water surface in Clark County. This team trains eight hours a month and has a total of twelve members. The team performs body recoveries as well as evidence collection.

The team not normally recognized as part of Search and Rescue is the Tactical Physicians. These nine men and women volunteer their time and expertise to provide immediate medical attention to SWAT Officers, citizens, and suspects. These physicians train as a team four hours per month. They are deployed at almost every SWAT mission and were requested on more than forty occasions in 2001.

Search and Rescue as we know it would not exist without the volunteers. The financial needs alone would make this team cost prohibitive for Clark County or the Police Department to operate. These men and women give of themselves and provide a much needed service to the community. At a moments notice they leave their families and their jobs to respond to Search and Rescue or S W AT missions. They risk their lives to make the community a safer place and provide comfort to members of the community who become lost or injured.

DONELSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S “GARDEN OF HOPE”

Since 1993, the Donelson Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee has donated over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce from their community garden, known as the “Garden of Hope,” to feed the hungry in their community. Nashville’s Table has been the grateful recipient of this abundant harvest. Nashville’s Table’s mission is to reduce hunger in the community by rescuing excess prepared and perishable food from those with abundance, and providing it, at no charge, to those in need. Currently, more than 120 Nashville-area no-profit agencies serving people in need are receiving food from Nashville’s Table.

In the summer of 1993, the “Field of Hope” was planted in an unused piece of land adjacent to the home of Sid Winek, Jr., the teenager who was responsible for the original idea for this community garden. Ever concerned about the plight of Nashville’s needy, Winek took his idea to the members of his church. He was concerned that Nashville’s Table was receiving a high percentage of processed food at the time, and he wanted to help improve the nutritional value of the food they offered by providing more fresh vegetables. He believed that with the use of his family’s land and the help of his fellow church members, he could do something to help. The members of Donelson Presbyterian Church immediately embraced his idea. In the beginning, over 40 church members stepped forward to volunteer their time to establish and tend the new garden.

The Winek property had to be sold in 1996, but church members were not willing to let the “Field of Hope” project come to an end. The Session of Donelson Presbyterian Church voted to move the garden to the church’s own property on Lebanon Road. The “Field of Hope” was renamed the “Garden of Hope,” and for the last six years, has occupied a place of honor adjacent to their sanctuary. Today, the church has over 280 members and volunteers of all ages help tend the garden. The Service Committee of the church donates money each year to purchase seeds and supplies. Members of the church take turns plowing, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. The garden had become a place for church members to connect with each other and become a closer community of faith. The fact that the garden benefits those most in need makes their community garden even more special to the congregation.

Members of Donelson Presbyterian Church are committed not only to continuing their “Garden of Hope,” but also to encouraging other congregations to begin their own community gardens to feed the hungry. These volunteers are a shining example of how a group of everyday individuals can come together to make a significant difference in the lives of so many people.

DOROTHY LINKE

Dorothy Ruth Purkiss Linke was born on October 5,1921, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her BA from Chatham College in Pittsburgh and her MS and EdS from Butler University in Indianapolis. She moved to Indianapolis in 1943. Until her retirement in 1982, she had been a teacher for 16 years, teaching at schools #33 and # 101 and then served as a reading consultant for 13 years with Indianapolis Public Schools.

When Dorothy retired, she promised herself that she would develop a daily and weekly schedule to provide a reason for living each hour of the day. What evolved is being a volunteer 1,000 + hours a year through organizations such as Lighthouse Mission, Alpha Delta Kappa, Beta Chapter (honorary teachers’ sorority); Historic Landmarks of Indiana, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lutheran Brotherhood, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Serving others began at an early age for Dorothy. She played the piano for Sunday school in Pittsburgh from age 10 until she entered college. She has taught Sunday school for over 40 years. She currently teaches Vacation Bible School at two Lutheran Churches during the summer. Linke is the altruistic chairman for Alpha Delta Kappa and thus spearheads the collection of many items and money for community service organizations.

Dorothy is always collecting items. She hands out lists to help others remember what service agencies can use. You will find her family room crowded with bags of sugar for Lighthouse Mission, earning her the title “Sugar lady” from Mission Director Bob Goodrum, personal hygiene items for the Salvation Army Shelter for battered women, or peanut butter for the John D. Hughes Community Center. When people pass away, their family members know that Dorothy will make the best disbursement of their clothing.

With Dorothy, nothing is wasted. Children at the Morris-Butler House turn greeting cards into Victorian Christmas ornaments. Campbell’s soup labels go to Cedar Lake Lodge in LaGrange, Kentucky to buy educational and recreational items for mentally challenged adults. Eyeglass lenses, frames and cases go to the Lion’s Club for those in need in Guatemala. Soft drink pull-tabs go to the Ronald McDonald House. Clients at Lighthouse Mission and Pathways to Recovery appreciate donated bath towels. When she asks the congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for change on Sunday mornings, she has a specific project in mind; Bibles for Good News Ministries or funds for God’s Gang Planting Dream on Chicago’s Southside. Her pastor, Dave Rushton, describes Dorothy as “a one woman mission team.”

Dorothy is never too busy to help and lives by the philosophy that we are here to serve others. She has been the recipient of the Mayor’s Volunteer Partnership Award and has also been recognized by the Lutheran Brotherhood as their 1995 Fraternalist of the Year.

She also has been honored with the Spirit of Women Award by Saint Francis Hospital and as the Senior Volunteer of the Year by the county Council on Aging. I believe Dorothy Linke is deserving of your consideration for a Daily Point of Light Award. She is an inspirational example of senior volunteerism and a life of service to our community. Her energy, devotion, compassion, and youthful enthusiasm make central Indiana a better place to live. “Others” is the word that best typifies Dorothy Linke.

THE CIRCLE PROGRAM

Since 1993, the Circle Program’s focus has been on the healthy development of at-risk New Hampshire girls between the ages of 9 and 12. The mission—to guide socially and economically disadvantaged girls during a crucial period in their development—is delivered through a unique combination of adult and peer support in a residential summer camp session and year-round mentoring program. Many of the girls referred to the Circle Program are subject to certain risk factors that are statistically correlated with substance abuse, dropping out of school, teen pregnancy, delinquency and violence. However, research has shown that risk factors can be mitigated by the intervention of adult mentors. The Circle Program is dedicated to the understanding that at-risk girls can overcome difficult circumstances by developing the friendship and support of a caring adult outside her immediate family and by belonging to a “Circle” of girls and women who provide support, guidance, and nurturing. The program begins with a two-week residential camp session in late summer of each year that builds a strong sense of community among Circle participants. It also provides a structured environment that encourages that development of leadership and decision-making skills, self-confidence, and positive social interaction. From September until June of the following year, the Circle Program provides one-on-one mentoring, matching each Circle girl with a female adult volunteer from her community. Circle Program girls meet with their mentors a minimum of twice each month. Whether they are serving holiday meals to senior citizens, going for a hike, doing arts and crafts, or splitting a pizza, the girls and their mentors build a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. Mentors, or “Follow-Up Friends,” continue to offer guidance on issues of self-care and personal responsibility that were introduced during the camp session. Mentors and Circle Program participants meet as a large group every other month to continue building on the sense of community and belonging that was established at the residential camp session. Activities range from recreational outings to participation as a group in community service. The heart and soul of the Circle Program is the corps of 35 volunteers who act as mentors. This is a dedicated group of women who believe that making the investment of spending time with a child in need now, means a lifetime of benefits in the future. They offer their friendship and trust to children who might otherwise slip through the cracks. Since 1993, more than 135 women have volunteered their time to be mentors. In 2001 alone, 35 volunteers made 529 visits, drove 19,571 miles, and spent close to 2,400 hours with their Circle girls. It is their commitment and compassion that makes the Circle Program what it is and that touches the lives of New Hampshire girls.

GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION

The Gospel Rescue Mission of Grants Pass, Oregon, is now in its 19th year of providing safe housing, clothing, food, counseling and other rehabilitation services to the 80,000 individuals living in Josephine County, Oregon.

In those 19 years, the Mission has established an award-winning Recycling and Salvage Work Rehabilitation Program, the Vossler Medical Dental Clinic, a Thrift Store that provides free clothing and household goods to an average of 120 individuals per month, a Community Recycling Center, and a Bicycle Salvage Program.

The Gospel Rescue Mission operates the only men’s residential recovery center for drug and alcohol abuse in Josephine County that does not charge for services.

The Community Recycling Program has been awarded “Recycler of the Year” in 1997, 1998, and again in 2001. It received the 1998 “Appreciation Award” from the Grants Pass Towne Center Association for “Outstanding Efforts” and was a 1999 Points of Light Citation finalist. On March 28, 2002, the mayor of Grants Pass Len Holzinger awarded the Mission with a proclamation making March 28th through May 5th “Gospel Rescue Mission Week.”

The Gospel Rescue Mission is soon to break ground on the most innovative concept in the field of rescue mission work by building the new Campus and Learning Center. This will be a state-of-the-art facility complete with a family shelter residence for up to 44 women and 16 children, and a learning center with 10 computer stations. The new facility will feature both a men’s and a women’s residential recovery center for drug and alcohol abuse. The men’s residential facility will have bed space available for up to 78 men. The ground floor of this 3-story building will have social service agency volunteers, medical help, crisis counseling, and job placement information. There will also be a clothing exchange booth and showers available to those who do not wish to stay at the Mission.

The community of Grants Pass has been instrumental in showing their support for this new development both verbally and in our fundraising campaign.

The Mayor and City Council agree that the Mission provides a valuable service to the community and the County. Last year 80% of those in daily residency at the Gospel Rescue Mission were from Josephine County. The Mission is currently averaging 44 men, 11 women, and 2 children each night in residency. More than 140 meals a day are served there from a 32-square-foot kitchen. It is always running at full capacity in all of the dorms as well.

HELEN SOUZA

Helen Souza, 83, has been working as an RSVP volunteer for 11 years. She has been tutoring at-risk students who are marginal readers in one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions for five plus at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Fall River, grades K through 3. The faculty, children and their parents love her there. She has helped to recruit and train several RSVP volunteers to be reading tutors, has improved the reading scores of those at-risk students, has helped to strengthen RSVP’s Literacy Programs and is an asset to all.

According to Kathy Burt, principal of the school, Souza serves as a role model to many young people and older people with disabilities. She said, “Helen greets the children as they arrive at school with a bug hug and a warm smile. The children appreciate Souza’s enthusiasm for the importance of reading and have benefited greatly from her one-on-one attention that she gives. She has become a vital part of the learning process at Sts. Peter and Paul.”

She recently completed a one-year assignment as an Americorps Vista volunteer during a Summer Reads Program. She completed the remainder of the year as a literacy coordinator for the RSVP Program. Because of failing eyesight that limits her ability to drive, she was unable to continue as an Americorps Vista volunteer. However, she continued to volunteer her services six hours a day, five days a week at Sts. Peter and Paul School.

According to Bill Leary, RSVP Program Director at Citizens for Citizens, “Helen has enthusiastically gone out to the public and has spoken to various groups in Greater Fall River about the benefits of volunteering in the community. Her goal is to continue speaking to civic organizations in the years to come. Helen Souza exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism in her manner and her performance. Not only is she delightful as a person, she is an effective classroom tutor who bridges the intergenerational divide.” She has helped to educate and build self-confidence in youth.