THE JEWISH HOME & CARE CENTER GIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERS

The Jewish Home and Care Center volunteers in the Gift Shop are few in number but the scope of this group of caring volunteers is vast. For the Jewish Home’s Gift Shop is more than a place to buy a card, a gift of candy bar. The Gift Shop is a place to visit, to share and to be assured of a smile and a friendly greeting. Open six days a week, the shop serves the residents of the Home, residents of the Chai Point Retirement Center, the staff teams of those facilities, family members and visitors.

The Home’s Gift Shop is unique in its 100 percent volunteer staff. Volunteers coordinate the buying and stocking of shelves, do the bookkeeping and go to the bank, mark items and create displays and even dust the shelves when necessary. The Gift Shop Volunteers are deeply committed to using every penny of the profits of the shop to provide services to the residents, and many work multiple days a week to make this possible. The Gift Shop profits are added to the funds of Hand in Hand (the Women’s Service Auxiliary of the Home) to support programs such as the monthly birthday parties, flowers for new residents, the Home’s ceramics program, holiday programming, the aviary in the Home’s lobby and other programs as needed. The Gift Shop volunteers like to say that they have “the little shop that makes a difference,” and this difference can be seen on the faces of residents both as they visit the shop and enjoy programs partly made possible from the shop profits.

With this important mission, one would think that sales are of primary importance in the gift shop. However, many customers don’t buy anything. Instead, they visit to find a friendly smile, a listening ear, and a hug and pat on the back when needed. Volunteers also “go the extra mile” for our residents, often acting as personal shoppers to find a special candy bar or package of cookies (all kosher, of course). Buyer and Gift Shop Chair Della Bornstein has developed a large children’s section of items of all price ranges so that grandchildren and great grandchildren can receive gifts when they visit.

The shop and its team of 15-20 volunteers (at any one time) have served residents for more than 25 years. All profits from the Shop go to the Hand in Hand account in the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation to support resident programming. Profits from the Shop are not used for paid staff. The Jewish Home and Care Center Gift Shop donates between $5,000 and $8,000 each year to the Hand in Hand fund.

LARRY SIEVERS

There is a man who read in the newspaper about a unique school in Indianapolis. The next day he came down to the school and asked how he could help out. And that’s how it started…

Since then Larry Sievers, retired CFO, has been a steadfast volunteer of The Oaks Academy. This small Christ-centered school provides a rich, classical education to children of diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our goal is to prepare and launch them into a rigorous secondary educational program and to demonstrate spiritual, social and emotional maturity.

The Oaks started with little money, only 52 students (now 240) and a great deal of hope that our students would prevail and restore the community by the resources of the community.

For the past three years Larry has provided indispensable service to the school. He managed the school’s first-ever independent audit, developed our first-ever staff handbook, advises school leadership on all financial matters, consistently offers new ideas, contacts and insight to better our school’s management. On average, Larry is with us from 20-30 hours a week with each time driving about 15 miles to and from the urban school.

Larry’s work ethic is exceptional, his attitude is great, his demeanor is quiet and confident and his presence is friendly. He’s a kind man with such an incredible host of gifts to share with the school. Students and staff are so thankful for his continued, unwavering dedication to be part of this special school.

CHARLOTTE BUCHANAN

A high school honors student, Charlotte single-handedly created and launched an innovative program called SeniorConnect, which utilizes mainstream computer technology to improve the lives of senior citizens. SeniorConnect has now been up and running for seven months and has proven to be so successful that it has been adopted by a local charitable agency as a formal, funded program. Charlotte’s initiative, simple in concept and initially small in scale, demonstrates how one high school student can make a substantial difference in the loves of others.

As a 4-year volunteer at a local assisted living facility, Charlotte developed a first hand understanding of the needs of senior citizens living apart from family and friends. Charlotte’s innovative program addresses a vitally important quality of life issue for the senior population: communication. Staying connected through regular communication prevents feelings of isolation and increases a sense of belonging. Charlotte’s SeniorConnect program helps seniors remain in touch with friends and family using current, low-cost technology. It offers flexibility in terms of location, creating a comfortable situation in which seniors can communicate at their own pace and on their own terms.

SeniorConnect involves volunteers helping seniors stay connected through the Internet. Charlotte spends time with seniors at regular intervals, composing and sending their messages to friends and loved ones using laptop technology. SeniorConnect benefits both physically disabled seniors as well as those that are technology-wary. Neither group is required to touch the computer. Instead they dictate their messages to Charlotte or another trained volunteer, who transcribes their words into a message composed on a laptop. Laptop Technology allows volunteers to go from room to room, working with residents who are not mobile or do not wish to leave their rooms. From the laptop, received messages from loved ones are shared and, depending on the format, can be printed on the spot, allowing seniors to save cherished correspondence.

SeniorConnect is inclusive and adaptable, allowing all residents to participate. Residents benefit from the regular communication with friends and family; moreover, they enjoy the interactions with volunteers and the personal, meaningful relationships that develop.

Launched in September 2004, SeniorConnect has proven to be extremely successful in the months that it has been in operation. This past January, hoping to expand the program’s reach, Charlotte approached several charitable agencies about working together to launch the program at other assisted living facilities. Realizing the program’s potential for making a real difference in the loves of the elderly, the Greater Manchester NH chapter of the Red Cross formally adopted the program as one of its offerings. Together, Charlotte and the Red Cross are working to obtain additional funding, train volunteers, and introduce SeniorConnect to other assisted living facilities in the area.

AMERICA WEST AIRLINES DO CREW

The Do Crew, America West’s employee volunteer corps, began in Phoenix in 1997 with just a handful of people who wanted to give back to the community and have fun at the same time. That simple purpose stood the test of time and by July 2001, the Do Crew had expanded to the airline’s hub in Las Vegas.

The Do Crew gives America West employees and their family members an opportunity to get involved in the community. Members can volunteer with nonprofit organizations in the arts and culture, health and human services, education and civic sectors. Do Crew members are proud to say they “do” get involved, “do” have a lot of fun and “do” make new friends at America West and in the community.

Over the years, the Do Crew has participated in a variety of community events, such as Relay for Life, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Susan G. Komen Race for Cure, Lied Animal Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, quarterly blood drives with United Blood Services and the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village. With the goal to improve the quality of life in the markets served by the airline, America West believes volunteering is the key to making our community a better place to live and work. The company is extremely proud of the Do Crew’s efforts and continues to seek new opportunities to enhance employee volunteerism.

The Do Crew is fulfilling a need in the community by donating time and resources to a variety of non-profit organizations. Today, more than 1,780 employees are Do Crew members and the group contributes over 2,229 hours annually to non-profit organizations in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Reno.

Not only does America West believe in giving back to the community through employee volunteerism, the airline is also committed to providing financial resources to nonprofit organizations in its hub markets. On behalf of the airline’s corporate giving programs and foundations, $2.5 million is donated annually to organizations in the arts and culture, health and human services, and education and environment sectors.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Second Genesis is a grateful benefactor of the generous dedication and services that the Property Management Association (PMA) gives to support our mission: to empower individuals and families to make choices that will enable them to experience a healthy, responsible life free from alcohol, drugs, crimes, violence and exploitation. PMA strives to promote knowledge and education of the property management industry and also provides community outreach where its expertise is used to improve the standard of living for many in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Second Genesis’ relationship with PMA began in early 2000 when its Community Service Committee undertook the challenge of renovating Second Genesis’ then-closed D.C. Therapeutic Community. PMA volunteers and contractors worked tirelessly plastering, installing dry wall, painting, replacing windows and electrical wiring, and renovating bathrooms to make the building re-inhabitable. Thanks to PMA’s gift of service, the D.C. facility reopened enabling substance-abusing men from the criminal justice system to restructure their lives in a safe and warm environment as they work to become contributing members of society.

The partnership was strengthened in May 2002 when PMA recognized a need for a recreational outlet for the youth at our Mellwood House, which supports women and women with their children. PMA volunteers spent more than a year fundraising, meeting with contractors, and compiling a “wish list” from the Mellwood children and mothers for a new playground and recreation area. PMA made the construction of the new playground a community-wide initiative involving local, external contractors and volunteers. PMA continued its commitment to improving the facility when it installed a new basketball court in December 2004. The additions and improvements made by PMA volunteers enable Mellwood residents to gain a well-rounded experience that will prepare them for life after treatment as productive members of the community. Now, mothers can exercise outdoors, and children can be active while learning valuable social skills and “just being a kid” in the treatment environment.

PMA is also renovating and creating a new computer room where children can enhance their learning through educational software, and mothers can continue their professional development through vocational training. PMA supports both the physical structure of our program, and warms the hearts that live within. Each year PMA volunteers perform magic shows, appear as the Easter Bunny, coordinate egg hunts, tend a tomato garden with the children, and organize other events for Mellwood House. Recently, a PMA member involved her daughter’s Girl Scout troop to coordinate a diaper drive donating $325 of diapers to Mellwood mothers.

SARAH PARKER – TARR

Sarah Parker is a student volunteer leader for the college’s GIVE (GC&SU Involved in Volunteer Efforts) Center and she has been involved with many different areas, departments, offices and organizations on our campus. She has proved herself to be a prime example of what a student leader should be and represent.

Two years ago, one of Sarah’s biggest responsibilities was being the Student Coordinator for the American Red Cross Scrubby Bear program. It is a program that works with elementary age children in teaching them the importance of washing their hands as well as the proper way to wash their hands. It is a great teaching tool that the American Red Cross has in place.

This position takes a lot of organizational and communication skills, team work, patience, direction, hard work, perseverance, dedication and desire to want to do the best possible job her and her volunteers can do. One of the neatest things about this program is that Sarah is a nursing major and she has taken what she has learned in the classroom to better our community. Without the hard work and determination of Sarah Parker, the Baldwin County American Red Cross could not say that all kindergarteners have gone through the Scrubby Bear program. This means that all kindergarteners know the importance of washing their hands and how to properly wash their hands. Wow what a difference one person can make. Now Sarah did not do this by herself but she was the spark that started the fire.

She puts 110 percent into everything she does. She has such a high standard for herself as well as the others she is around and works with. Sarah is making a difference both on and off campus and is a great role model for other students as well as faculty and staff.

EDNA BRILL

Greenspring Village, the continuing care retirement community in Springfield, VA, has a lot of services to offer its residents. It also relies on its residents to make it a fun place alive with interesting, stimulating programs and people who care about each other. In addition it has a goal of making a difference in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Brill, in conjunction with the staff member in charge of volunteer programming, took it upon herself to run a program that provides tutoring to several elementary schools. Twice a week, a shuttle bus leaves Greenspring with our residents on board, heading for Hunt Valley Elementary or Saratoga Elementary schools. In addition, individual residents drive themselves to Garfield Elementary School to tutor kids in reading. This program has been very successful since its inception in 2002. Since then, participants in this program have given over 4250 volunteer hours to mentor and encourage young children in Springfield elementary schools. Recently, the principal of Saratoga Elementary School told me that Greenspring residents touch the lives of 107 kids every week. While they have to deal with attendance issues at the school – there is no attendance problem on Thursdays when Greenspring “grand friends” are there!

When the staff person in charge of volunteer programs left Greenspring early in 2004, Mrs. Brill took it upon herself to ensure that the program would continue. Without her leadership it may have fallen apart. In setting up a tutoring project like Greenspring, one issue to resolve is the transportation. Many of the seniors don’t drive themselves anymore, and using a shuttle service creates a financial need. The service of Greenspring tutors are so appreciated and recognized by the community that the PTAs of both schools using the shuttle service have raised the necessary funds.

Another aspect why this program has been so successful is the fact that the senior volunteers derive as much joy and meaning out of tutoring, as do the kids. This is truly a win-win program inspiring seniors to participate in an important activity within the larger community while the youngest members of this community have a unique opportunity to learn from the wisdom and experience of their elders. Another indicator of the program’s success is that for the coming school year, another three elementary schools have requested Greenspring residents as tutors for their children in need.

Mrs. Brill is active, caring, shows a real commitment from her heart and yet has a balanced view and thus truly embodies all you would want in a volunteer. Greenspring is fortunate to have a person like Edna Brill on board, and her engagement reflects beyond the retirement campus to the elementary schools and right into the kids’ hearts. The children light up when Edna and her tutors show up at the school.

ALYSMAE SCHULTZ

Alysmae Schultz is a retired schoolteacher who is dedicated to helping students achieve their educational goals by tutoring them in reading and mathematics. In addition to tutoring students, she also assists other tutors by providing information as to resources available and assisting them in formulating lesson plans. She expended 70 hours to date this school year. She is currently a volunteer in the Pathways Program, which provides outside assistance to children who are home-schooled.

Alysmae also volunteers as the Pahrump Community Library and has been a secretary and member of the Friends of the Library for several years. She assists in filing returned books, locating documents and elsewhere as needed. Alysmae works one day each week at the library, generally spending from 10-20 hours each month. Currently, Alysmae is tutoring a man in his fifties, who had a stroke, with his reading. She spends from 3-9 hours each month with him.

She is dedicated in her volunteering and is remarkable in that she is 88 years old and could retire and let others do what she is doing, but she continues to make a valuable contribution to the community. Her dedication to volunteering had made a difference to the people with whom she has been in contact by fostering an interest in education and volunteerism.

ERIN ROGERS

Erin Rogers truly deserves a Daily Points of Light award. She is very active in Ottawa’s Youth Action Council and Youth in government programs, and currently serves as the President of YAC. Within the last year, Erin has completed over 250 hours of community service with YAC, doing things such as participating in a food drive and attending sporting events with at-risk youth. In YIG, Erin has put in over 200 hours.

Through YAC, Erin has served on several committees. She was very active planning events for Make a Difference Day activities last year. She has participated in all of the National Days of Service and has been to numerous other communities, including Spring Hill, Kansas and Nashville, Tennessee to speak about youth involvement. She is a strong advocate for youth.

Erin’s participation in Youth in Government has been remarkable. The eight YIG members spent five months planning a 7th and 8th grad Youth Leadership Camp. They wanted to show youth that they could be leaders in their own community, no matter what age they are. Erin was very involved with this event, working extra hours each week making sure it was successful. The group raised over $5,000. With the money raised, they were able to make the amp very inexpensive, so as not to discourage low-income youth from participating. The camp lasted three days and two nights and Heather was there throughout the entire event. She did all of this while fulfilling her other duties for YIG the group is currently planning their third Youth Leadership Camp to take place in June.

One example of Erin’s desire to address social issues was a Valentine’s Day Dance that she helped coordinate. YAC decided they would like to address the issue of the gap between older and adults and youth. They decided to put on a Valentine’s Day Dance for older adults and youth to attend. Under Erin’s leadership, the group met with older adults to see what they wanted at the dance, such as what type of music, decorations and food. The dance was a huge hit, with 65 people in attendance and all of the older adults wanting to attend another one. Erin spent four weeks organizing the event and made it a huge success. Since then, YAC has had five other dances and Erin recently applied for a Good 2 Grant to try to help sustain the dances. She was co-author for the grant.

Erin’s participation in YAC and YIG meets a real community need. She is connecting youth with opportunities to serve. She plans service projects and recruits her peers to join her in improving her community. As a direct result of the Youth Leadership Camp, five new youths joined Youth Action Council. Through promotion of the program by Erin and several other members, 40 youths have expressed an interest in joining YAC this year.

SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED (S.P.I.N.)

S.P.I.N provides food baskets during the holiday season along with free lunches to homeless families throughout the calendar year.

Each year Gary and Sherri Graves provide the leadership and coordination to feed hundreds of needy families who would not have a holiday meal but for the care and understanding of the Graves’. Last year, over 700 holiday baskets were distributed through the Graves efforts. During their off-duty hours, the graves find volunteers to distribute food baskets. They acquire the necessary items to provide a complete holiday meal including a turkey! They along with a handful of volunteers assemble the food baskets. They schedule police officers and other non-commissioned employees to help with all aspects of the food drive. Gary and Sherri are the founders of S.P.I.N. They are recognized as a non-profit organization and do all work related to their charity during their off-duty hours. In these days, it is so easy for police employees to become jaded and indifferent as means of coping with the every-day stresses of their careers.

The Graves however see the need within our community’s homeless and downtrodden. Unlike others, they take affirmative steps to help the needy through their holiday food basket program. Their efforts have made a positive difference in our community. They have helped police employees by helping them recognize the importance of giving. Most importantly the Graves have helped to feed thousands of families over the years.

What impresses me most is the selflessness and true spirit of giving. I have seen much in 25 years as a police officer. But never have I seen people like the Graves. They do this all ad have never sought recognition.