ARTHUR & PHYLLIS TANNENBAUM

Everybody Wins! was started by retired New York City textile industry executive Arthur Tannenbaum in 1995. After reading “The Read-Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease, Tannenbaum decided he wanted to do his part to make sure children received positive exposure to reading. The book points out how vital it is for youngsters to be read to by adults.

Tannenbaum and some of his colleagues decided to volunteer at a school near their office. Once he retired, his idea for Everybody Wins! took off. Together Arthur Tannenbaum and his wife, Phyllis founded Everybody Wins! in New York City, and the program began matching up professionals with at-risk, inner-city school children as reading partners. The program sends volunteers from the corporate world into schools close to their offices. They spend a class period reading with student partners and return to the office by the end of the lunch hour. During each power lunch session, the reading partners select a book and read aloud together, an activity that the Commission on Reading calls the single most important activity for building a child’s eventual success in reading.

The kids in the program not only benefit from the extra reading time, but also from having other adults to talk to, said Emily Clark of PS 67 in New York City, NY, who coordinates the power lunch program. “A lot of kids open up to the volunteers, communicating with someone who is not their parent,” Clark said. “It’s like they have pen pals who come in once a week.”

Today thousands of children are being mentored. For several years, the Tannenbaums received requests from individuals nationwide who wanted to replicate this successful program in other parts of the country. They responded and programs were developed in cities including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Topeka, among others. As a result of a one million dollar congressional appropriation, Everybody Wins! will be come a truly national program with chapters throughout the U.S. A National Expansion Committee, composed of representatives from the New York and Washington, D.C. Boards of Directors has been formed to move replication of Power Lunch and other EW! initiatives forward.

Senator James Jeffords remarked, “It takes very little to see the problems we have in education in our country. It takes someone special to have the vision and creativity to address those problems in a new way. And it takes someone even more special to turn that vision into a viable program that can be replicated to serve children all across the nation. Arthur Tannenbaum, Founder of Everybody Wins! and Phyllis Tannenbaum, Co-founder, are very special people indeed. I want to thank them for their vision, their tenacity, and their life-long work to improve education for all children.”

Pamela Watts, Assistant Principal of PS 15 Manhattan commented, “Everybody Wins! has provided readers to the students, which in turn has helped to increase our reading scores, which in turn helped to improve our students’ self-esteem. This has made our school a happier place to go to learn.” The Tannenbaums’ ultimate goal is to have every child in the country read to either by a parent or relative or a volunteer.

JACK KAUCK

Jack Kauck is a modest hero that has helped thousands that do not even know his name. He has not thrown a record breaking touchdown, has not broken any homerun records, and he has never been on the evening news for a heroic act of bravery. He is a modest man, retired and recently widowed with two sons and a granddaughter that is the apple of his eye.

Ten years ago, Kauck read an article about a wheelchair repair/ loan program that had been started by Easter Seals Southwestern Ohio. Kauck’s mother had benefited from the use of a wheelchair to stay independent despite her Rheumatoid Arthritis, and this was a perfect opportunity for Kauck to help other people keep their independence. He joined the founding team of 5 gentlemen and never looked back. Over the years, Kauck has helped provide independence to thousands of people with disabilities that could not afford medical equipment due to low income and lack of insurance.

Today Kauck runs the program with a helper volunteer. The program has expanded to include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, infant and children equipment needs and much more. “I am in constant need of parts, I never have enough parts,” says Kauck as he gives a tour of the equipment repair shop located at the Easter Seals facility in Reading. ” I’m always looking for volunteers who can work with metal, it’s a great opportunity for a retired person with tool and die experience. It’s challenging and very rewarding.”

The Easter Seals Southwestern Ohio Medical Equipment Loan program accepts used medical equipment to be repaired or used for spare parts. All items are repaired and inspected at Easter Seals. The equipment is then loaned out for a minimal fee and Doctor’s prescription to people with lower incomes that do not have insurance.

The staff and board of Easter Seals Southwestern have been recipients of Kauck’s kindness and service for the past ten years. They may not know his name, but thousands of people with disabilities have regained their independence thanks to his unwavering efforts.

RUSSELL PORTER

Under the leadership of Russ Porter, the foot care clinics have grown from a seminal initiative begun in 1988 by a resident physician and a couple of nurses to a sustained effort by more than 100 people providing foot care to more than 1200 homeless men and women. Porter has personally recruited as volunteers, podiatrists, nurses, medically trained persons and others to keep the many clinics adequately staffed.

In addition to coordinating the efforts of volunteers, Porter secures funding support from organizations, businesses, churches and friends, and stretches dollars by finding good buys on shoes, socks, towels and medical supplies.

Porter retired from GE in 1993 with a vision of growing the capabilities of the foot care clinics. From his experience with the clinics as a volunteer helper, Porter saw that there was a great need for foot care, as well as just plain caring, among the homeless in Cincinnati. He wanted the clinics to extend care to more people, but he also wanted to do more. From that beginning, Porter set out to find resources and match care teams to sites, such as the Drop Inn Center, where care could be given. In 2001-2002 clinic sites include the Drop Inn Center, Bethany House, Our Daily Bread, Tender Mercies, 2nd Mile Hospitality, Mt. Airy Shelter, Pike Street Clinic (CVG) and Hosea House (Newport).

Nurses, podiatrists and specially trained volunteers provide foot care. As homeless persons are frequently over looked or ignored, Porter reminds volunteers to make a special effort to talk and listen as they care for each person. Many people coming to our clinics have never received foot care, many suffer from skin or nail conditions related to their lives on the streets and in shelters, and many have well-worn, poorly fitting shoes (some have no shoes!).

Each person receiving care is greeted and asked to soak their feet in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes. A caregiver will first introduce her/himself to the “patient” and then ask him/her about medical conditions (e.g. diabetes can affect peripheral circulation, causing sores or loss of sensation). Following an examination of the feet, nails will be trimmed, calluses reduced and skin treated (fungal infections are common). On occasion a volunteer podiatrist will work on unusually difficult or severe conditions. The caregiver will finish up by applying lotion and/or powder and providing a clean pair of socks. The person is then fitted for a pair of new shoes.

The obvious part of foot care is the feet. But a very important part of care is the conversation that occurs casually between the person receiving care and the person giving care. The one-to-one human contact with caring in touch and conversation is healing for both the giver and receiver. Porter, who has become expert in giving care, enjoys chatting with our homeless friends and reminds us of the importance of just taking time to listen. Porter wants us to care for people, not just do foot care. The appreciative comments, or simply the smiles of people leaving the clinic show that the message of caring has been heard and felt by each person served.

Another obvious part of foot care is shoes and socks. Each person receiving care is given socks and a sound pair of new shoes. Needless to say this is a major attraction, as the feet are the main transportation for homeless persons. As good shoes on hurting feet is not foot care, shoes are not given without care being given first.

Many volunteers are involved in the foot care clinics, but Porter is the lead conductor in this well orchestrated operation. He recruits volunteers, marshals supplies, finds clinic sites and publishes schedules. From October through April each year, volunteers invest more than 3000 hours under Porter’ leadership. Obviously, Porter spends a lot of his own time as coordinator overall, on-site leader, shoe procurer and promoter. Porter spends several evenings each week as on-site facilitator/leader. Additionally, he does whatever needs to be done including washing mountains of towels, cleaning instruments, and bringing coffee and cookies to serve to clients.

Porter gives freely of himself and has inspired and enabled many of the rest of us to care for the homeless in our community. Porter is truly an extraordinary person as is demonstrated by the loyalty and respect of his many volunteers and his clients who frequently refer to him as the “Foot Doc.”

CONCERNED PARENTS OF PUEBLO

Concerned Parents of Pueblo (CPP) is a community organization established ten years ago in a garage as two concerned parents pondered over the tragedies that faced Pueblo. Specifically, they focused on the gang violence and the overwhelming amount of graffiti apparent throughout the community. Since the establishment of CPP, the co-founders, Fred Tripp and Ben Ramos, created the “Youth Incentive Program.” This remarkable program has grown by addressing many key issues that face Pueblo’s families.

CPP encouraged families to join together on projects meeting the needs of Pueblo. For example, graffiti is on buildings, signs and home sites around Pueblo. The incentive program encouraged families, local businesses and community members to volunteer throughout the year to remove graffiti. These graffiti removal projects led CPP and the volunteers to network with the local art center to cover graffiti with inspirational murals. In 2001, over 1,500 graffiti sites were removed and 4 mural projects were completed. Second, the Youth Incentive Program established a strong connection between generations.

Many low-income seniors are unable to keep up lawn maintenance. Together, family and community volunteers helped senior citizens clean and rake their yards. In 2001, CPP volunteers cleaned 346 yards while recycling over 5,000 bags of rubble. Third, impoverished sections of town, with a high population of low-income families, were assisted to dispose of their trash, old appliances, tires and other materials. CPP and over 700 volunteers in worked on twelve neighborhood beautification clean-up projects. Fourth, serious issues face the family unit today. CPP assessed those current needs and addresses them through “Youth Issues Workshops.” Seven workshops were held throughout the year with over 900 youth participants and 150 parents. The issues addressed in 2001 were gangs, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and the importance of education.

Over the past ten years, CPP has assessed the needs of Pueblo’s youth through hardships and tragedies. CPP turned these needs into programs that develop into positive opportunities. As a result, this unique program brought families together to work on civic projects. Other remarkable outcomes of providing the incentive program were the development of leadership skills and families were encouraged to be positive role models. In addition, the program built self-esteem, developed trades and employment skills by providing a realistic work experience through volunteerism. In 2001, the youth participants and families completed over 19,000 hours of volunteer work in the Pueblo community.

ALLISON KELLOGG

Allison Kellogg has watched lives changed because of her volunteer service. Six years ago, Kyri, a five year old girl, appeared in her first ballet class for disadvantaged children. On that day, as Allison taught simple ballet movement to Kyri and the other students, Kyri discovered her gift for dance and Allison discovered the exhilaration that comes from volunteer service.

For three years in high school Allison taught dance to disadvantaged children. When she graduated, she found corporate sponsors who then funded scholarships for her most committed students. During her freshman year at the University of Alabama, Allison began teaching free classes at the Boys and Girls Club in Tuscaloosa.

In an effort to reach more children, Allison created an after school program called “Star Kids” in the spring of 2000. This program teaches children to use their talents to improve the lives of others. She wrote a coloring book, produced a video, and created an instruction manual which were funded by Mississippi Valley Gas Corporation and WAPT-TV.

Allison’s “Star Kids” program encourages kids to know that they are important, and that they all have gifts that can be used to make the world a better place. She has presented the program in Boys and Girls Clubs, the United Way Youth in Action programs, the Mississippi Volunteer Commission’s annual conference, and the JC Penney after school programs. For the past two summers, she has presented the program at the Be Your Best Self Camp for girls in Salt Lake City, Utah where she has also worked as a volunteer counselor.

In May of 2000, she wrote a grant to fund dance lessons through the Doublemint For Campus Excellence program. Only fifty grants were awarded from the 14,000 applications received. The two thousand dollar grant has been used to fund dance lessons at the Madison County Cultural Center.

In addition, Allison initiated the first Madison Mayor’s Youth Council this fall. She researched councils, served on the steering committee, and created all forms that have been used. This council was designed to give teenagers the opportunity to serve the community and foster a working partnership with local government while also providing a process for the city to receive opinions from youth regarding policies and practices that affect their lives.

Six years later, Kyri continues to dance. Allison has maintained the relationship and hopes that one day, Kyri use her own gift to make the world a better place to live.

JO ANN RIGANO

Jo Ann Rigano is a Beavercreek, Ohio third grade teacher who extends herself beyond the classroom. She teaches her students the true meaning of civic responsibility by providing opportunities for her students to reach out to others as she integrates the opportunity into the everyday curriculum. She teaches her students that anything is possible if you “make it happen.” This year Jo Ann and her class chose to adopt New York City Fire Squad 270 because of the September 11th tragedy. After much discussion with her class and other staff members, Rigano involved the entire school, 518 students and 45 staff members, in the adoption process.

The project started with a 40’by 72″ banner that announced the schools’ intention of adopting the fire squad. Each student and staff member wrote a personal message on the banner. Rigano then assigned each grade level a month and then that group was responsible for sending the squad “we care for you” packages. Between October 2001 and June 2002, the squad received a total of forty-two packages.

On March 12,2002, Rigano received a fax from FDNY firefighter, Frank Leeb, stating that he and two fellow firefighters from squad 270 were interested in visiting Valley Elementary to thank the students and staff for their compassion. The dates agreed upon for the visit were June 4 through June 8, 2002.

The project then turned into a special event that linked together the two parts of the country. The students learned about New York City while the firefighters learned about Beavercreek.

Miami Valley businesses offered free services and products, including round trip airline tickets and free hotel rooms for the visitors. The delivery of the “we care for you” packages became more frequent because the entire community got involved.

On June 4 the Beavercreek community and the surrounding Miami Valley welcomed the three firefighters. The firefighters showed their appreciation by presenting Rigano with a cross welded from a World Trade Center beam and an American flag, (now on display in Valley Elementary School) which flew over squad 270’s command post at Ground Zero. This turned into quite a newsworthy event as millions of people shared in the visit through the media reports.

The firefighters returned to New York on June 8, but the relationship continues. Students are continuing to correspond with FDNY squad. Rigano visited squad 270 in late June and will return again in early August. Frank Leeb is bringing his family to visit Valley Elementary in late July.

Evidence of this successful life lesson is apparent in the letters that Rigano continues to receive from parents, students, teachers, and community members. As one parent said in a letter about her son, “He has seen how something small can grow and flourish. He believes he can accomplish anything; nothing is impossible.”

SYLVIA ANTHONY

Over a decade ago, Sylvia Anthony founded Sylvia’s Haven Inc. with a simple vision “to provide transitional housing for homeless, single, pregnant and parenting women of the Commonwealth.” She started this dream in a single rented home with the doors open to provide food, shelter and respite. Sylvia’s Haven became incorporated on January 25, 1987 as “Life for the Little Ones.” Today, Anthony’s vision has grown to fifty (50)—two and three bedroom housing units at the former Ft. Devens Army Base in North Central Massachusetts. The McKinney Act, a federal regulation, authorizes the government to lease property on closed military bases to groups that help the homeless. Sylvia’s Haven met the criteria. The property is leased for $1 a year. She has helped more than 700 women and children. The program relies on financial contributions, donations of furniture, equipment, and volunteer assistance to operate.

Anthony believed “if I can shelter a few of these women and their little ones, it is a beginning.” Her beginning has become an oasis of life, light, and hope for many. Because of her vision, commitment, hard work, diligence and steadfast faith, Sylvia’s Haven provides for the immediate needs of homeless and battered women and children. She provides a safe, comfortable, secure and nurturing environment where these families can recover from the traumas of homelessness, violence and abuse.

Further, Anthony treats the “whole family.” She provides support, counseling, education, job training, financial and career counseling, parenting skills training and other support, as well as the education necessary to assist homeless and battered women to become spiritually and emotionally healed, confident, self-reliant and financially self-sufficient.

In detail, Sylvia’s Haven is a Life Skills Management Transitional Facility. Simply put, it helps homeless women and their children prepare themselves to make a transition from dependence to self-sufficiency and independence. They are given the opportunity to face life’s challenges with hope and resolve and become contributing citizens in our society. For many, this is their last hope.

Anthony started the Haven initiative by loaning the program $10,000 the first year and $12,000 the second year. She was gradually paid back in small amounts when the ministry could afford to do so. She voluntarily took no pay until the end of 1994. In 1995, her allowance was $11,600. Over the years the Board of Directors has increased her salary bringing her present-day salary to $56,368. It was commendable that the Board of Directors progressively increased her salary to make up “in part” for shortages in the past. With or without the salary, Anthony has been completely committed to sheltering homeless women.

ADAM WANSTRATH

Adam Wanstrath is a senior at Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is very active in the Cincinnati community and believes, though he is one person, he can make a great difference in his community.

Adam has been an ardent supporter of the Over-the-Rhine (OTR) service project. This program serves those in the inner city. Adam worked with OTR to rehab an old grocery store. The volunteers turned the store into a new soup kitchen. Adam worked so hard on the project that many of the other volunteers were concerned about him. They thought he was moving too fast and lifting too much. They did not realize, however, that Adam was so passionate about this project that he was fine, just excited about his work. Adam continued to clean, lift, and carry the following Saturday for the project. His diligence and untiring effort inspired some of the other volunteers to push just a bit harder.

Adam also participated in the Urban Plunge. This was a weekend retreat directed towards serving at-risk youth. Adam displayed compassion and a genuine concern for the needs of others during the retreat. He was also concerned for solidarity with those who were less fortunate. The weekend retreat made him appreciate all the “extras” he has in his life and realized that many live daily without their needs.

Adam is continuing with the OTC program and has not missed taken a Saturday off for three months. He is concerned with the completion of the problem and knows his efforts will help finish the soup kitchen sooner so more can be helped by being fed.

Next year, Adam plans to attend Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He will major in Business Administration so that he can gain more skills in the business realm to continue to enable him to make enlightened decisions to help make Cincinnati a better place to live.

MARGARET STORES

During the past decade Margaret Stores has helped innumerable homebound seniors despite her own failing health. She has been a Senior Companion volunteer since May 1991. Stores volunteers approximately 20 hours per week with the Senior Companion program. She is a widow and her income is less than 25% of the federal poverty level. The program provides her with a small stipend to help with gas and car maintenance, but she gives much of her time and money to continue her service to the public.

Some of the activities she performs for elderly clients are grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and transporting and accompanying to doctor’s appointments. She also provides necessary companionship and cooks hot meals that can be frozen or refrigerated for evenings and weekends.

In addition, Stores is an advocate for the homebound seniors she visits. During her long residency in the community, she has become acutely aware of organizations and services available to assist the elderly that are in need. So, in addition to providing essential services in their home, Stores refers her clients to agencies that can also provide housekeeping, personal aides, food boxes, and other items they need.

Many social services agency representatives have said that it is partially due to Stores’ assistance that many of the seniors are able to remain in their own homes. Before her crusade of care began, the only other alternative for those seniors unable to live at home was going to the nursing home. Many of the elderly do not want to go to the home, but instead want to remain independent as long as they can and keep their homes as long as possible.

Stores’ role as an advocate helped one client to stay independent for five additional years. She has visited the elderly widow since July of 1995. The senior is chair/bed bound, and unable to work or perform any activities necessary to live independently. Stores referred her to various support services, and the client now has Stores to care for her during the day as well as a nighttime live-in caregiver. This elderly woman has delayed the usual nursing home option due to the care and concern of Stores.

During the past several years, Margaret Stores’ health has worsened due to a heart condition. She must be on oxygen 24 hours per day and has numerous visits to the hospital. Despite her own concerns, she is still determined to help others. You still may see her, on any given day, at a client’s home with a backpack of oxygen on her back cooking a meal or shopping at a nearby store.

NANCY SCHROEDER-2

Nancy Schroeder worked at a local college in the bookstore for many years. Once she retired, Schroeder devoted the majority of her time to service in her community. She single-handedly coordinated the Winter Wraps Program.

Schroeder was used to the cold Midwest winters; however, she saw that many adults and children were out in the elements without the proper protection. In May of 200, Schroeder organized a community-wide coat drive. The local public schools were checkpoints for the drive initially. Community members were dropping off children’s coats and the schools, and soon the area dry-cleaners opened their arms to the program. The dry-cleaners volunteered to clean the used coats, and Schroeder, along with other youth and senior volunteers sorted and sized them.

The Winter Wraps Program debuted in October of 2000. Over 1000 used, cleaned winter coats as well as hats and mittens for the children were given to those in need in Kenosha County. Additionally, 182 adults were provided with warm coats. Though the program is still in its infancy stage, Schroeder believes it is a success. The three-day October “coat-fest” brought the community together. Hundreds of volunteers worked with hundreds of families and were able to meet one of their needs.

Schroeder devotes hundreds of hours to Winter Wraps, but she gives her time to other organizations also. She volunteers for WoMen and Children’s Horizons. This agency provides advocacy, support and emergency shelter for victims and child witnesses of domestic abuse. Schroeder provides outreach and education about domestic abuse at the local homeless shelter, and she assists with children’s groups. You may also find Schroeder working during the week at her church providing homeless individuals with a night’s relief through their INNS Program. In addition to that, she works with the Hospice Alliance providing comfort to patients with terminal illnesses as well as their loved ones.