BETTY JO HARVEY

Routinely serving others 700+ hours a month and often on 24 hour call, Betty Jo Harvey seldom waits to be contacted. She appears on the doorstep of the American Red Cross office ready to work. She is there in the middle of the night, when a family feels so alone after losing their home to a fire. She is there to teach babysitting classes, to educate teenagers about HIV, to assist in the search for a missing child, to offer comfort to hurricane victims. With her “thunder buckets” she teaches children storm safety averaging 3,000 presentations a year to first grade students throughout 16 counties. She teaches disaster classes and when a senior citizen collapsed at “Taste of the Town” in Wichita Falls, she was there to administer First Aid. You’ll find her at the Hotter-N-Hell Hundred, the Red Cross/Kiwanis Golf Tournament, organizing supplies at the American Red Cross Office or at emergency management meetings.

As a grieving nation watched in horror as the Space Ship Columbia disintegrated over the skies of North Texas, she was there. She worked bedside the search and rescue teams, bandaging the wounds of the National Guardsmen, offering comfort as they picked up the pieces of the space shuttle. It was quickly apparent that her skills as a mental health nurse would be invaluable. Day after day she accompanied the morticians and the Honor Guard to sites of the remains of an astronaut. At each site, she was a participant in the memorial services and she accompanied the solemn processional as the remains were returned to NASA officials.

She has offered nursing expertise to many disasters as far away as the Virgin Islands. She has the distinctive title, NURSE SPECIALIST and has a crucial supervisory role in times of national disaster. She always encourages others to volunteer. She is very adaptable and can readily step into the shoes of staff members, serving as back up Disaster Director. Betty Jo is always there making sure that all bases are covered. To the staff of the American Red Cross, she is a friend, a mentor and a “mother.”

She has touched someone in each of the 16 counties served by the American Red Cross and her spirit of volunteerism has taken her far from home and family. She always has a smile for everyone she meets and a genuine gift of gab, which could easily put the most frightened family at ease.

She never seeks recognition for her deeds but is content to work quietly in the background knowing that she has truly made a difference. The motto of the American Red Cross is “THERE WHEN YOU NEED US” and Betty Jo Harvey is always there for us.

MARGARET BANKS

Margaret Banks, age 74, has been a resident of Pottstown Borough in Montgomery County, PA for the last 50 years and believes wholeheartedly that you need to get involved in your community as a volunteer to make it a better place for everyone to live. Margaret joined the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) in November of 1997 when the program received an expansion grant to serve the Pottstown community. She was immediately instrumental in recruiting 15 other low-income seniors to join the Foster Grandparent Program.

Here is a list of her community volunteering: She has served on the Borough of Pottstown Town Watch for 15 years and has served as a co-captain for the last three.

She is in her ninth year of volunteering in a Head Start Class for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program as a “Lucky Reader” which is part of a family literacy project.

She is in her seventh year of volunteering with the FGP serving 5 hours daily in a second Head Start class.

She has volunteered for the last 3 years as an after-school tutor for the Pottstown School District.

She has continued to assist in recruiting other low income seniors in Pottstown to join the Foster Grandparent Program.

For four years she has been a part of the Family Services’ Families & Schools Together (FAST) Program, a family strengthening program.

She works at the polls every election as a machine operator.

She is an Assistant Scout Leader for a Daisy Troop (younger Girl Scouts).

For the last six years she has served on the Advisory Board of Ricketts Community Center, which provides age appropriate activities that encourage the physical, educational and social development of all citizens of Pottstown.

She is a board member of the Genesis Housing Corporation, an organization that provides affordable home ownership throughout Montgomery County by offering counseling around budgeting, understanding credit and the home buying process. Genesis also does renovation of homes for new homebuyers.

She was a member of the committee for the Continuing Celebration of Pottstown’s 250 year Anniversary event with the grand finale on July 4th.

She is currently helping to have a petition signed to lower Pottstown’s school taxes.

She serves as a distributor of flyers/pamphlets door to door to publicize public meetings around various community issues and needs.

In 1998, Margaret received the Joyce Reddick Award given by the Pottstown YMCA as part of their Black Heritage Celebration to “individuals who have reached beyond the call of duty in their home, church and/or community.” In 2004, Margaret was also honored as a Pottstown Community Leader by the Walnut Street Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In 2004 she received the 2004 Spirit of Service Award given by the Corporation for National and Community Service to volunteers who exemplify the difference a volunteer can make in their communities.

LAURA E. GRAY

Laura was first exposed to volunteerism through Brownies, filling Easter Eggs for a local nursing home. She has continued to contribute to our community for a variety of organizations. Laura is very involved in Girl Scouts and for every activity, there is a service project. Laura has volunteered at our county humane shelter, made toy bags for children in hospitals, made and donated stuffed animals and quilts to nursing homes and women’s shelters.

Our school corporation is making a memorial butterfly garden for students and staff that have passed away. Laura made and donated a butterfly quilt to be auctioned off to raise money for the project. She has eagerly participated in selling concessions and other moneymaking projects for her school. The wide range of her consistent volunteerism continues as she has worked benefit bake sales, piano recitals, and the Rotary Follies. Whenever there is a good cause and Laura is able to help out, she does without even thinking about it.

Through the People to People Student Ambassador Program, Laura did service projects in California including digging and clearing out fire trenches in Yosemite National Park. She also learned about Operation Iraqi Children, a program that sent school kits to children in Iraq. Laura collected supplies and sent 6 kits, which several weeks later she saw on the CNN Network being delivered by U.S. Soldiers. What a joy it was for her to see such a positive outcome!

Laura’s commitment extends to church involvement. This past summer Laura put on puppet shows for VBS for five nights based on Bible stories. At the end of the week, she put on one long show combining all five stories. Laura wrote all her scripts and did all the performing herself. It was a huge amount of work, but the children loved them and her pastor was very grateful for Laura’s time and effort.

To conclude, I must say that although Laura has not devoted all of her time to one cause, she has helped so many more people and animals by making herself available to anyone who has a need that she feels she can meet. Laura has accomplished so much in her 13 years that it gives me hope that she along with others like her will try their best to ensure a better and brighter future for our community, country and world.

BLAIR RILEY

Blair became interested in volunteerism and leadership as a senior in high school when she was selected to represent her local National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). She was then selected to represent Georgia on the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) and became the first alternate to the NYLC spokesperson. While in this position, Blair traveled extensively throughout Georgia and other states to promote this program and represent young people across the country. She has volunteered with the NRECA’s Youth Tour for six years as a participant and as a volunteer staff member. Today, Blair still works to develop youth leaders by promoting the importance of volunteer service.

Throughout her college career, Blair has been involved in many volunteer and leadership organizations. As a 4-year member of the University Honors Program, she was required to complete 50 hours of community service for her first two years in the program. Blair far exceeded the required 50 hours. She worked with the Ronald McDonald House Charities by implementing a variety of service projects for the charity. She also volunteered at the Sallie Zetterower Elementary School, where she helped develop a more effective character education program. She designed a school bulletin board that highlighted character education theme and created and organized a “Character Education Library” that contained books for checkout. For this project, she was awarded the Georgia Southern University Honors Program Community Service Award.

When Blair’s grandmother came to live with her and her family, Blair’s realized that her county did not provide 911 services to its residents. She developed a program to help remedy this problem, (B.E.S.A.F.E.) Best Efforts in Spreading Awareness Facts and Education. This program was largely successful and in 2004, legislation was passed to mandate access to 911 systems in every Georgia County. While implementing this program, Blair became a volunteer for the American Red Cross and the U.S. Citizen Corp. and worked with local emergency response agencies to increase preparedness and with all age groups to stress the importance of disaster preparedness/response.

As a registered volunteer with Georgia Southern University’s Office of Volunteer Service and a registered volunteer with U.S. Freedom Corps., Blair has been recognized numerous times for her contributions in volunteer services. She has received the GSU Leadership/Service Award, the UHP Outstanding Community Servant Award, the prestigious Macon Telegraph Golden Eagle Award in the area of citizenship and Who’s Who’s Among American Colleges and Universities.

Blair’s most recent volunteer and fundraising efforts have benefited the Alzheimer’s’ Association. She is currently working with a local Georgia state representative to design a license plate for the state of Georgia that will raise funds for Alzheimer’s disease research and programs. Teaming with local chapters of the Alzheimer’s’ Association, Blair hopes to increase participation in fundraisers one in particular Memory Walk, raise awareness about the Maintain Your Brain campaign and promote the goals and ideas of the Alzheimer’s Association.

MASTER MARTIN E. BRANTNER

Marty is one of the most enthusiastic citizens we have ever had working with us. He is genuinely dedicated, friendly and helpful worker, and is truly deserving of recognition.

Marty is a sophomore at Lutheran High School in Kansas City, Missouri, He is a very good student, receiving Outstanding Biology Student Award last year, as well as several other academic accolades. Marty is also involved with many extra-curricular activities. He plays handbells, has been active in the Drama Club for the past two years, and has received four letters for being the team manager for volleyball, baseball, and boy’s basketball team.

Marty has been very active in his Scout Troop. He is a Tenderfoot Scout and had received his Arrow of Light and his Lutheran Religious Award in addition to various Merit Badges. Marty is also very active at his home church, Calvary Lutheran. He is active in handbells, Men’s Choir, Crucifier, and was an acolyte for several years.

Marty has been very active in the Stream Team Program for over five years. He has attended two levels of Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring training, and regularly conducts water quality monitoring and zebra mussel monitoring. In fact, he is one of the few regular submitters of zebra mussel data in Missouri. He has participated in numerous litter pick-ups, and continues to support the Stream Team program by talking to numerous people about the program and how they can join.

In summary, Marty has served his church, school, Scout Troop, and the Stream Team program for many years and has always been a dedicated, responsible, energetic and creative volunteer worker. He truly exemplifies our vision of the Stream Team volunteer, and sets an example for all the other volunteers who surround him.

LEWIS P. BARTON

Lewis Barton, owner of Native Country Studios and TV 8 of Fort Pierce, FL, exemplified himself as a pillar of society and exceeded his responsibility as a veteran news reporter during and after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. He risked his life to obtain this extraordinary news-making footage to keep the public aware of the weather conditions that posed imminent threat to human life and the entire Treasure Coast. Lewis Barton himself was a victim to the hurricanes, losing his home into the ocean as well as most of his business, Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant, into the floodwaters.

Chuck’s Seafood Restaurant was a major contributor during the most difficult time of rescue and recuperation in the Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach areas. Mr. Barton opened his heart and restaurant doors immediately after the storms to provide hot meals to the local fire, police, Coast Guard, National Guard, Red Cross, Homeland Security staff, and the press on the foundation of his former waterfront dining room (during a time when all at Chuck’s) at a time when hot meals and fresh water were hard to come by.

Mr. Barton provided up-to-date broadcasting of the status of the hurricanes and damages done to the Treasure Coast. He personally paid for all the food provided to the emergency staff and local residents – during and after his own losses.

Mayor Robert Benton of Fort Pierce and Sheriff Ken Mascara both agreed that the generosity of Lewis Barton during this crucial time lifted spirits and most likely saved lives. Early on Lewis Barton realized that he was able to make a difference. The fact that Chuck’s Seafood Resturant was in a location where many people were impacted and in need of water and blue tarps for their roofs, he ordered thousands of bottles of water from his food distributions and again opened his doors to the public for the distribution of blue tarps.

After the devastation and things had begun to settle down there was community concern as to the status and efforts being set forth by the community leaders for the restoration of the Treasure Coast, again Lewis Barton opened his doors and invited the national media to broadcast areas to tell their story and the recuperation efforts being done.

Although Lewis Barton did not share in the limelight, he did coordinate and contribute all his technical expertise, up-linked the broadcast, hosted the mayor and press to insure that the community received this important updated information.

When I asked Lewis Barton his thoughts on the devastation during the past nine months and how he felt about receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the Fort Pierce Police Department for thousands of free meals and hours donated, his response was “with the past nine months experience, I now think that I am prepared more than ever to serve the community.”

JEAN STOCKMAN

Jean is the coordinator of Busy Hands, the biggest component of RSVP of St. Joseph County, largely due to her efforts. (RSVP places persons age 55 and older in volunteer service to meet community needs.) In this capacity, she totally administers this program. She is employed as a Senior Aide, funded by Title V monies, and works 20 hours weekly. However, Jean is so devoted to this program that she also volunteers her own time. To date this year, she has logged 2,261 hours over and above her employed hours.

We are extremely lucky to have her and we feel fortunate that she supervises a program that exists solely on donations. Material, yarn, jewelry and nearly anything under the sun are donated to Busy Hands. Volunteers then sew, knit, crochet, and combine odds and ends to make a variety of useful items that are given to local agencies to distribute to clients. These include afghans, lap robes, slippers, door draft dodgers, and nearly 70 other items that are donated to local agencies to give to low or fixed income families and individuals that could not afford to purchase these items. These items allow persons in need to save on their utility bills by putting a door draft dodger at their door, or another crocheted afghan over them on a cold winter’s day.

Jean organizes community donations that arrive on a nearly daily basis. Jean also mobilizes volunteers age 55 and older to meet these significant community needs. She reaches out to homebound persons to make them feel a part of Busy Hands. She or a volunteer will deliver raw materials and pick up finished goods. She knows each of her volunteers so well that donations are organized by what to give to each volunteer.

The first year for Busy Hands was 1998; twenty volunteers made 300 items and logged over 9200 volunteer hours. These numbers have steadily increased until in 2003. Busy Hands donated over 13,500 items and logged over 42,000 hours of volunteer service with nearly 125 volunteers.

To date in 2004, over 130 volunteers have logged nearly 40,000 hours (with another month to go) and have made and distributed over 15,000. Over 5,000 local families have been assisted this year with resources to help meet monthly living expenses and to keep warm this winter!

Jean approaches each new project with boundless enthusiasm! Her passion is contagious which inspires her volunteers to give their all. As an example, she collaborated with a local hospital and facilitated making over 700 pouches for ice packs that were sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. This project was finished in less than 3 weeks!

Busy Hands is fortunate to have Jean Stockman as Coordinator and RSVP is lucky to have her. We hope you honor her with this award.

GRETCHEN KUNZ

Sister Gretchen has been a cornerstone for the Brazos Valley in terms of leadership and volunteerism over the past 24 years. She has generated support for countless groups through her unselfish donation of time, talents, and willingness to “step in and step up” to worthwhile causes.

Sister Gretchen arrived in Bryan, Texas, in 1981 and began her health ministry and mission at St. Joseph Hospital with “outstanding bills” on her desk and found herself financially unable to distribute payroll checks her first week! Her inspirational leadership has helped this healing ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis grow from a small community hospital into a regional health system serving 13 counties and some 300,000 Brazos Valley residents. Her vision has brought major regional and medical services to the community such as heart, cancer, rehabilitation, surgical services, and maternal/child care and emergency services.

The development of the St. Joseph Health System is testament to her determination that all citizens would have access to medical care. Communities throughout the area now have local hospitals where primary and outpatient diagnostic care is available-as well as access to emergency services. Eight rural health clinics have been established in the region and offer primary care to residents where, in may cases, there would be no other medical services.

Fortunately for the citizens of the Brazos Valley, the efforts of this determined and devoted community citizen did not stop with her efforts within the walls of St. Joseph facilities. She has devoted over 24 years to this community to improving health and living conditions for the less fortunate.

Those with health problems; her visionary leadership and support in the creation of the Prenatal Clinic, Health For all Clinic, Project Unity as well as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association. Those in hope of a better life with greater economic opportunity; her support and service as a board member of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and virtually all of our regional chambers of commerce. Those who could not afford housing; her corporate leadership and board service in support of Habitat for Humanity. For young professionals eager to learn more about their community and to contribute toward achievement of its goals; her integral involvement in the development of the plan and health programs which created the Hammond Oliver High School for Human Sciences at the Bryan ISD. And when Heart Disease and effects of deteriorating eyesight and hearing issues threatened to restrict her vitality, creativity and commitment to volunteerism, she has redoubled her efforts to turn the challenge into an opportunity to further serve others.

Sister Gretchen’s unselfish acts of services has been recognized through numerous community, state and national honors, including: · Citizens of the Year, 2004, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce · Women of Distinction Award, Bluebonnet Girl Scouts Council · Woman of the Year, Prenatal Clinic · Ministry Healthcare Award presented by Bishop John McCarthy, Diocese of Austin · Outstanding Board Member/Past President, Catholic Health of Texas · Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives.

With her recent diagnosis of heart disease and her challenges with vision and hearing issues, she could have quietly retired and let the disease processes overtake her life. Instead, Sister Gretchen has intensified her efforts, making profound changes in our community for those afflicted with her illnesses. Sister Gretchen is stepping down as President/CEO of St. Joseph Health System, effective, June 13, 2005. She plans to continue her ministry in the Brazos Valley by becoming a member of the fund development team for the system at St. Joseph Foundation.

Sister Gretchen is a role model of how visionary business leadership can be created through spiritual strength. In our community, Sister Gretchen symbolizes St. Joseph – the strength of its mission and the commitment of its team to provide care to the community. No leader could ask for more than to represent the best qualities of their organization.

CHRISTOPHER STANTON

In contrast to a world shadowed by terrorism, international troubles, and accusations of not caring, Christopher Stanton is a bridge of friendship, of compassion, and of love. This one California man has undoubtedly been responsible for changing the opinions and perceptions of more than just a few Moroccans towards Americans. Christopher Stanton of Sylmar is the president and founder of a humanitarian organization called “Mission Bridge.” He is a remarkable display of what and individual can do to help a nation. His simply stated purpose is to love the Moroccan people, and he has been building bridges of friendship to the nation of Morocco since 1999.

With his wife’s assistance, they have organized and raised funds for 21 trips to Morocco to help the needy by way of free medical and optometric clinics in the poorer quarters of cities, and in remote mountain villages. Stanton has provided baby formula and powered milk to homes for unwed mothers and orphanages; he has arranged for, and transported medical supplies and difficult to afford pediatric and cancer medication to hospitals. He has delivered dozens of wheelchairs, hundreds of toys and caseloads of clothing.

He has been invited to speak to High Schools students in Casablanca on the topics of virtue, responsibility and character. These sessions will take place in early 2005. He builds friendship with Moroccan leaders on all levels from Madame Tazi (recipient of King Mohammed’s gold medallion award for humanity), to the staff of the National Children’s Hospital in the capital of Rabat. He is a contributor to AMINO – a volunteer group for poor woman with cancer who can’t afford medicines. Stanton has provided over $710,000 in cancer drugs from generous American pharmaceutical companies.

One of his favorite ways of showing love to the Moroccan people is to invite groups of his American friends to join him to experience and see the life of Morocco. These people come home awed and with hearts that are inspired to reach out in goodwill and charity. A recent group procured much needed, modernized physiotherapy equipment for a center for handicapped children. Chris delivered that equipment for them in October of 2004.

Many in Morocco have watched the kindness of this benevolent American man, experienced the benefit of his concern for their well-being, and received opportunities that may have never otherwise been available to them. If you were to ask Chris why he does this, his response would be, plainly stated, “we come from a greatly blessed nation and we need to bless others.”

WOMEN IN DISTRESS

Edee Greene and a group of concerned citizens founded Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. (WID) in July 1974. WID began as Broward County Florida’s first refuge for homeless women in a modest four-bedroom home. Women in Distress outreach locations and residential facilities served approximately 1,300 people last year. The crisis line assisted another 3,600 people.

Services offered to participants and their children include food, emergency shelter, clothing, individual or group counseling, education, family activities, batterers’ intervention, linkage to community resources and safety planning. WID’s domestic violence trainings are provided to the professional and general community (20,300 people), as well as a dating violence training (2,200 children) called-It’s Not Ok, which goes into junior and senior high school classrooms. WID partners with a multitude of community and faith based agencies, help serve the varied needs and resources required to assist in the empowerment of domestic violence families. In 2002, WID was able to obtain National Accreditation demonstrating a commitment to excellence and continued self-evaluation.

Volunteerism is a major asset utilized and encouraged by Women in Distress. Last year, 14,864 hours of volunteer services were performed for and by Women in Distress in the capacity of the Speakers Bureau, Day Care services, Crisis Line coverage, Fairs/Events, Court Accompaniment, Thrift Store, Internships, Board, Auxiliary, etc. An additional $100,000 of donated professional services was obtained for our participants.

WID also coordinates and participates in a voluntary capacity for community advocacy groups such as the Victims’ Rights Coalition, Children’s Consortium, Homeless Coalition, and the Domestic Violence Council. Community Awareness events are also a large part of WID’s community involvement. For example, during Domestic Violence awareness month in October, WID partners annually put on an Interfaith Service (leaders of various denominations looking at addressing domestic violence in their communities), a Domestic Violence Memorial, a high school rally against violence (SOAR-Students Opposed to Abuse in Relationships), a 3K Safe Walk and a Domestic Violence training and awards luncheon. WID’s staff has participated in a voluntary capacity for other service agencies such as Take Stock In Children mentoring, Day Of Caring, Rebuilding Together, and boards and committees of partner agencies serving families in need.

Last year, Women in Distress entered its 30th anniversary of serving and partnering with the Broward County Community as the only certified domestic violence center serving the second largest county in the state (in terms of population-2.2 million). Women in Distress is recognized as a staple in this community for its holistic approach to domestic violence services, and extensive community involvement in both providing services and increasing community awareness for all age groups and a diverse populations.