SOLOME ALLEN

Solome Allen is one of the most devoted, conscientious volunteers at a local hospice where end-of-life care is provided to patients who have a life-limiting disease. Medicare requires that hospice match five percent of paid staff patient care hours with volunteer hours, so volunteer staff is vital to meet Medicare’s requirements for participation.

Solome has volunteered with Solari Hospice care since August 2003. In those 18 months, Solome has given more than 465 hours of her time caring for our patients and their family members. Solome is an Airman 1st Class with the U.S. Air Force and is currently assigned to Nellis AFB as a helicopter mechanic Crew Chief. She holds a job that is full-time with an erratic schedule where she is basically on call 24 hours 7days a week, and when she receives calls for help from hospice staff she drops everything and goes to the aid of a patient or patient’s family.

When Solome is assigned to see a patient on a regular schedule, she is always there when she says she will be and always stays as long as she is needed, even if it means trading shifts with a co-worker or calling in to her commander to ask permission to stay. She socializes with patients who are no longer able to leave their homes, she listens to their life stories again and again. She learns to play their favorite games, share their dreams and their anger – and she consoles their families when crisis strikes. She transports patient’s she’s never met to doctor’s appointments and waits to bring them home. She will do anything and everything she can to make sure their lives are made easier during this extraordinarily stressful time.

Solome has a kind, gentle personality and every patient she is assigned to is passionate in their praise about how much they love her and how much she has become a part of their family. Solome is still in contact with several families – even after her patient has passed.

Her capacity to care, to soothe, to listen and to help has been tested many times in the course of her time with Solar Hospice Care. Yet Solome is always ready to lend a hand and she truly loves the relationships she develops with her patient and families.

ALAN KARPINSKI

Alan Karpinski brings a contagious, kind-hearted spirit to his workplace, Aetna’s High Point, NC office. Coworkers say, he “gives light to everyone he comes in contact with” and “his compassion for others cannot be matched.”

In recent years, he has devoted much of that passion and his free time to raising funds for the local Multiple Sclerosis Society, including its Tour to Tanglewood, an annual bike ride. In 2004, he persuaded 27 people, coworkers and non-employees – many of them just weekend riders – to participate in the two-day, 90 mile event.

In preparation for the big ride, he organized and led evening and weekend training rides for “Team Aetna” and promised them that “no one will finish last alone.” He kept his word, crossing the finish line with the last rider of the team. The group raised $27,200, including a match from his employer. The MS Society awarded them a bronze medal for the amount raised and for increasing the number of participants over the previous year and named Alan “captain of the year.”

Alan also encouraged many Team Aetna members to partner with MS patients through the Linking Lives Program. Besides raising money for MS research through the Tanglewood event, he collects pledges and donations for each trip when he bikes to work, as many as 100 days a year. “When its 30 degrees out and you see Alan pedaling up on his bike, you can’t help but support his efforts,” said one coworker.

Michelle Zwissler, Special Events Manager for the local MS Society, says his leadership has inspired her organization to reach for, and achieve more ambitions goals. She gave him much credit for the Society reaching the $100,000 mark from the last tour. Another beneficiary of Alan’s dedication to the MS Society is Carolyn Moore, who says his fundraising and enthusiasm have dramatically improved her quality of life and others who, like her, suffer from MS. “I no longer have mornings in which I question whether it’s worth getting out of bed.” She says those with MS wonder every morning whether it will be a “good day” or a “bad day.” On bad days the simplest tasks, such as brushing one’s hair, are impossible, she said. Alan motivates and brings joy to everyone around him, she says. Co-chairman of the Aetna Volunteer Council in High Point, Alan has been a spirited leader and participant in many other projects, including the American Cancer society Relay for Life, Triad Health Project, Winter Walk for AIDS, Greensboro Human Race Walk, Make-A-Wish foundation, Project Linus, Santa for Seniors and Support the Troops.

Recognizing Alan’s energy, devotion and impressive contributions to the MS Society and the community, Aetna recognized him with its 2005 Aetna Voice of Conscience employee award. The honor included $25,000 to be shared with nonprofit organizations of his choice: Central North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Camp Carefree, Greensboro Urban Ministry Food Bank and Triad Health Project.

ARDIS WEIBLE

In February 1996, Ardis Weible completed her 40 hours of orientation training for CASA and began working her first case. That was nine years ago. Since that time she has advocated for eight children. Taking her appointment by the court seriously, Ardis works with abused and neglected children in foster care to insure that their needs are being met, emotionally and physically, have appropriate housing, that their educational issues are addressed, and that they know someone cares and is looking out for them. She is involved in the big things in their lives, writing court reports on their behalf and attending court, and she is a celebrator of their lives, making sure birthdays and holidays are special occasions. Anyone who has ever transported two children with ADHD issues, or supervised them at a public gathering can begin to imagine some of the elements involved in Ardis’ volunteer contribution.

Ardis supports foster parents, and is respectful of the difficult job of caring for special needs children 24 hours a day. She is a team player, attending Child and Family Team meetings as an active participant; having frequent contact with her CASA kids, she has information that assists the team in decision-making. Ardis maintains regular contact with everyone involved with her CASA children. Her maturity, dependability, patience, and commitment to her kids earn her respect by those involved with a case. When there are family members available, Ardis builds relationships with parents, adult siblings, and other relatives, always looking for ways to promote positive experiences for the children she serves. Ardis always has her eye on the big picture – the permanent home for the children she serves, and works to assist others in moving toward that goal. Ardis makes a commitment to her CASA Children that will only end when they don’t need her anymore…however long that may be.

Ardis is committed to children and knows they are the key to the future of this community. Her work with each individual child helps to improve the quality of life for all children – and thus – for all of us. The more positive experiences we provide for troubled children, the more likely they are to become productive citizens. Ardis values the children she serves; they sense their importance to her and thereby understand their own value. They are not throw-aways.

ANTHONY JOSEPH TOOPS

A.J. Toops began his crusade to help other people at the age of ten. He heard a teacher at school talking about collecting blankets at her church for homeless people and asked if he had to be in a group, or church to do that. He was told that he didn’t and off he went with a wagon going to the neighbors asking for coats because he thought the homeless people were cold and needed coats. He sent out e-mails and made fliers and in two weeks had 125 coats. The coats were donated to the Phoenix Rescue Mission and they were glad to have the coats.

The following year he asked some of the neighboring kids to help and before long he had eight other kids collecting clothing and coats. This time they had 50 bags of assorted clothing. People from California even shipped boxes to A.J. because they were so happy to help him. Then it started to snowball, other people seeing AJ help, started to help, the teachers at his school served a meal at the Phoenix Rescue Mission for Christmas, other family members became donators to the Mission. AJ worked a radio tell-a-thon for the Phoenix Rescue Mission on a local radio station.

When the clothing drives first started it was once a year, in the fall, when the weather got colder, no people bring donations to our house, or ask at school, and it has turned into a year round long clothing drive. Each year AJ would add something or change something, once he collected stuffed animals for the kids at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He had 95 stuffed toys to donate. He made toiletry bags with toothbrushes, soap, and other personal hygiene needs for the homeless also. Each year more and more people help. When AJ started high school at Brophy College Prep, he asked the football team to help and they did! He requested that the football team bring water bottles and they collected over 30 cases of water at one game! The hot summer months are very dangerous in Phoenix for the homeless and hydration is important. They also donated socks and underwear, sunscreen, and hats. The motto at AJ’s school is “Men for Others”, and he truly is that!! At the age of 16 he does more for the local community than any young person. In the past six years, AJ has helped hundreds of people and donated thousands of items of clothing to help those in need.

JOSEPH MULLOY

For more than four years Joseph Mulloy has generously volunteered his time and has become involved in many activities at UMC where he works to provide comfort to UMC patients, family and visitors. Joseph has a philosophy to which he dedicates himself. “My job is to put a smile on someone’s face every day.”

Joseph always dedicates his talents to the patients and staff of UMC with the same positive attitude and professionalism regardless of the circumstances. His willingness to perform his role cheerfully makes him a unique and praiseworthy individual who is admired and respected by UMC employees and patients alike.

Volunteers are an integral part of the labor force at UMC. Senior citizens are the most rapidly growing segment of our population and a major resource to be tapped into. UMC could not function with the active involvement of seniors like Joseph with his expertise, networks and knowledge. Through volunteering and social contacts, seniors also may stay more active and healthy physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, which can only benefit society as a whole. One of the highlights of Joseph Mulloy is that he always notices the little things. He sees a need that others may overlook and he is willing to do something about it.

Joseph is a valuable volunteer to UMC. He serves as an ambassador of courtesy at UMC by greeting patients and visitors and by helping them find their way around our very large hospital. He personally delivers reading material to patients in their rooms, making a special not to remember the favorite topics of each patient. When the book and magazine supply becomes low, he will conduct a book/magazine drive in his own neighborhood to donate to UMC.

Joseph’s contributions are very noticeable and he is respected by the staff and other volunteers and by the patients and visitors he encounters on a daily basis. He performs his duties with passion and commitment. He demonstrates a high level of responsibility by reporting to his volunteer job on time. The professional way in which he handles himself exemplifies the vision of the volunteer program and his service brings UMC’s vision alive and makes it personal.

Joseph is a valuable team player in terms of alleviating the time and energy burden on staff. The participation of volunteers like Joseph is critical to University Medical Center for accomplishing its community based mission, getting results and ensuring organizational reinforcement, services and vitality.

PATRICIA O’MELIA

In January 2000, Pat began volunteering as the Program Director to establish Helping Hands of Vegas Valley. In 2004, Pat successfully wrote three grants totaling $644,000 and volunteered 655 hours last year to ensure that the grants were properly executed and reported. She also volunteered her time to help many seniors who had no other way to get a doctor’s appointment or grocery shopping. She also goes shopping every other week to keep the food pantry stocked for seniors that need a little extra food to make it until their next Social Security Check.

The grants that Pat successfully obtained resulted in Helping Hands of Vegas Valley being able to operate and expand the Volunteer Care, Pantry, and the Respite Care Voucher Programs and begin operation of the Wheelchair Accessible Van Program. These programs are now serving over 1,200 low-income seniors in the community.

Many Helping Hands clients can no longer drive themselves and their health prevents them from using public transportation. Pat and other volunteers escort them to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands. This has the additional benefit of providing companionship. Pat also makes trips to the Local Food Bank and/or Costco to stock the Pantry and in 2004 Helping Hands distributed over 20,000 pounds of food. Once a month seniors with an income less than $973 can obtain nearly four days worth of food (canned meats, vegetables, soup, fruit, etc.).

The Respite Voucher Program grant that Pat also obtained is administered for the State of Nevada Division for Aging Services. This program provides 345 caregivers who are caring for frail seniors around the clock to obtain a grant of up to $1000 enabling them to have someone provide needed relief. When a senior passes away or their needs are greater than the caregiver can undertake and they are placed in a nursing home, the remaining funds from the awarded grant are then passed on to another usually desperate caregiver, resulting in an average of 500 caregivers receiving benefits from this program.

In early 2004, a local doctor donated a handicap accessible van to Helping Hands. Because of Pat’s grantwriting abilities the van is now used to transport wheelchair bound seniors who can not utilize other resources such as the city bus and do not qualify for the CAT ParaTransit. Since the program began providing service in December 2004, 12 seniors have received transportation in the van and with the food deliveries for qualifying seniors in the VCP the van has made nearly 100 trips to assist those most needy.

As the nation’s senior population continues to grow, many move to Nevada to retire. Transplant or life long resident alike, as they age, their health begins to deteriorate and they are no longer able to take care of themselves. Many times their family is not here with them and they find themselves in a situation where they have no support. It is particularly difficult when a partner dies leaving the remaining spouse totally alone. With Pat’s skill for writing grants and her drive and determination to help, hundreds of seniors are being assisted with dignity and compassion while taxpayers are saving thousands of dollars by keeping local seniors independent rather than institutionalized.

GC & SU BEST BUDDIES

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-on-one friendships and integrated employment. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,000 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally. The Baldwin Service Center is a center for adults with mild to moderate disabilities. This group has about 30-40 GC&SU students who are a part of this group. Each college student is paired up with an individual who has developmental disability at the Baldwin Service Center. The buddy pair meets at least once or twice a month and then they have group monthly activities that they all participate in.

Some volunteers take the consumers (which is what the adults with developmental disabilities are called at the Baldwin County Service Center) and buddies bowling. They have decorated glass bowls for the disabilities banquet in October. They have played bingo with the consumers and they have helped with their annual Valentine’s Dance. They also made Easter baskets for foster children and filled Christmas boxes for children in third world countries. In addition, they have had a team for Relay for Life and held a raffle at basketball games and attended the games with the consumers. They assisted in decorating the front campus for Hanging of the Greens and were recognized in the Macon Telegraph for their volunteer work. They have helped with a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Baldwin Service Center.

Best Buddies is also part of the college’s newly formed No Boundaries Club, which is an umbrella organization for student organizations that work with disabilities issues. This group will also be involved with the new Kids On The Block puppet shows that will go into local elementary schools to educate third graders on disabilities issues and awareness programs. Best Buddies truly are making a difference on and off campus.

INAM SHALATI

When little Katy, a 7-year old blind student, met her new volunteer she was not talking much to her teacher, or her aids in school. Her volunteer Vision Assistant, Miss Inam, was told to expect a difficult time with Katy, who teachers felt might be also somewhat autistic. But what the teachers couldn’t have known was the impact that this special volunteer would have on Katy.

To begin with, Miss Inam Shalati is no ordinary volunteer. She has won several volunteer recognitions, including a prestigious Bell Award given by WLKY in 1999. In fact, Inam is the lead Volunteer Vision Assistant within the Jefferson County Public School system. In this role she teaches braille and tutors children who are visually impaired. And she knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles herself, since Miss Inam was born blind and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 6 months of age.

Growing up as a child with disabilities who also moved with her family, Inam learned the value of doing things on her own. “I am a believer in doing anything you can to promote independence,” she explained. “My parents were great about letting me do things, even though it was scary letting their blind child go out into the world.” She also learned early on the value of physical and occupational therapy. “I have been to many centers and was always impressed with the caring of the staff.” In fact it was the therapists and aids that helped her growing up that motivated Inam to become a volunteer. “I know what it’s like to need some help as a kid. And it gives me great joy to help others.”

Inam’s work with little Katy has opened new doors for this youngster. Once quiet, Katy is now talking to teachers, learning brail, and more. Miss Inam also goes beyond schoolwork to teach Katy manners, days of the year, months and how to talk on the telephone in a proper telephone voice. She’s even reported to be more confident and social with other children during playtime. “I love to hear her talk,” said Inam. “Two of her favorite sayings are ‘that’s a good idea’ and ‘you’re doing great.” In May 2005, Inam was awarded a certificate for outstanding service to the Jefferson County Public School system. After a recent tour of the K.I.D.S. Center, she signed up to help and could be seen selling bracelets in May at the Walk, Rock ‘n’ Roll. She’s already agreed to be back next year.

Today at age 29, the obstacles presented by Inam’s disabilities are not over. Her eating, speech, and mobility are all affected and the severity is worsening, as she gets older. But one thing that is not lacking is her positive attitude and her belief in helping others.

SUSANNE CONLON

Susanne Conlon is President of the Georgia Youth Soccer Association (70,000 members) as well as US Youth Soccer, National TOPSoccer Chairperson. Susanne has a special place in her heart for all children but particularly for those with disabilities. She introduced TOPSoccer, the US Youth Soccer program for children and young adults that have a physical and/or mental disability to GA in 1985. Today there are 10 such programs around the state of GA that are run by GA Youth Soccer affiliates. Six years ago Susanne initiated TOPSoccer-Rama, a one day soccer skills/games event designed to introduce the game of soccer to an optimum number of children with disabilities. The first event hosted by a local high-school had just over 100 participants. Today GA hosts two such events each year reaching more than 1250 children and engaging more that 350 high-school aged and adult volunteers. She has promoted this event on a national level and now more than 10 states use it as their model for disabled soccer outreach. Susanne continues to be very active in the TOPSoccer program in GA by registering children at her local league, promoting the program around GA and assisting parents in locating programs in their area. As the national chairperson Susanne assists programs and parents across the country in all arenas of TOPSoccer.

Susanne has been a top contributor to youth soccer for more than 17 years at the local, state, regional and national level. Fifteen years ago Susanne researched, imported and modified a Colorado Youth Soccer Sportsmanship program for use in her home league. The program is currently used by leagues in GA and by our State Recreational tournament as well as other states around the country. The program allows game officials to grade parents, coaches and players on their sportsmanlike conduct during each game by awarding “sportsmanship points.” This process alerts league administrators to problems but also rewards “good sportsmanship” as accrued sportsmanship points also allows leagues to recognize those teams that engage in good conduct on the field of play. These and other efforts have seen Susanne recognized at many levels; she has been Cobb Co. Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Year, GA Soccer Volunteer of the Year and the United Way “Heart in Hand” recipient, she has also been named a GA Soccer Life Member. Susanne recently played a leading role in removing travel barriers between GA and her neighbors, by negotiating travel agreements within the region; our region was the first in the nation to remove travel restrictions from teams moving from state to state for tournament play. She has put GA Soccer in the forefront of soccer in the US with her hard work and innovative programs.

Susanne Conlon works a full time job yet finds the time, with pleasure and a smiling face to volunteer her services and knowledge of the game of soccer to the youth in GA. Susanne is an example of selflessness shown by her devotion to all children in her community. Her boundless energy is an inspiration to all who know her. Whether she is throwing showers for friends from work, collecting and distributing school supplies for children in public housing, preparing dinners for inner-city boy scouts or on the field of play … Susanne is never too busy to lend a helping hand. Susanne Conlon is a hero to Georgia Soccer.

ALPHA DELTA PI

Alpha Delta Pi is one of the strongest groups on campus and is also very involved in the community. One of their favorite community service endeavors is “Nana” their adopted grandmother at Dogwood Retirement Home that they go and visit weekly. They have been with Nana for at least five years now. Nana always enjoys the visits as well as the ladies of ADP do. I. They help her out in many different ways but the biggest way is being a companion to her. She now has over 70 adopted granddaughters. Nana is an honorary part of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She has attended Relay for Life with them as well as many other activities. Another on-going service effort that they do is baby-sit for a group that is called In Our Best Interest, which is a support group for domestic violence victims. They do this at least once a month on an on-going basis.

ADPi is also involved in a school-based program that promotes starting a good habit and not a bad habit like smoking, drinking or doing drugs. This new and positive habit is called “Pull for Ronald McDonald”. OPRC, the Baldwin County School System and Alpha Delta Pi worked together to brainstorm the idea and develop this program. Every elementary school class in Baldwin County is now collecting pop-tops for the Ronald McDonald house. These tabs are recycled along with the rest of the tabs the campus collects and all the money goes to the Ronald McDonald House in Macon to help pay the electricity bill.

One thing that has helped ADPi make this so successful is that during every nine weeks of school the class that collects the most pop-tops will get happy meals for lunch and the school that collects the most pop-tops will get their happy meals delivered by the ladies of ADPi. ADPi has taken advantage of their resources in the community and has made a great partnership with the school systems as well as with OPRC. This project would not be as successful if this partnership did not exist.

This year, the GIVE Center is also nominating Alpha Delta Pi for Outstanding Service to the community for their volunteer efforts and their contributions to the campus and community. Alpha Delta Pi has also been recognized as Volunteers for the day during volunteer Appreciation Month in April. They also have students that are going to be asked to be part of the Platinum Touch, which is an Honorary Service Organization that is going to be started on our campus this spring. This spring, Alpha Delta Pi along with one of its members earned the National Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Alpha Delta Pi is a major trendsetter on our campus with their community service endeavors.