Wayne King

Wayne King’s service to several institutions in Natchitoches is testimony to his commitment, cooperation and service. Most residents know who he is because he has probably impacted their life in some way.

His volunteer work began with Natchitoches Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC) around 1971, he began working as a volunteer with the Lov'N Care Mission in 1999 and he has served with the Lions Club for a number of years.

The Lov’N Care Mission is a local Christian based Mission Ministry. It is a nonprofit organization crated to meet the needs of people in the community. By providing free supplemental and emergency food to individuals who fall below the Federal Poverty Guidelines and donated clothing at a very low cost to those in need. They also provide Bible Study and worship services to provide spiritual guidance.

Wayne's expertise, gained from 39 years with the Social Security Office and his years with Natchitoches Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC) has greatly benefited the efficiency and success of the Lov'N Care Store Front Mission. The needy and elderly families served have received blessings beyond food, clothing and used household items. His influence and service goes beyond the walls of the mission and certainly meets a real community need, bringing unity to the community.

Kenneth Laylock

Dr. Kenneth Laycock has spent 16 years and countless hours of his time on behalf of the Texas Retired Teachers Association and the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation.

He was President of the Association in 1987 after holding numerous offices at the Unit, district, and state levels. Dr. Laycock led the formation of the Building Trust fund in 1988 and is the Founding President of the Foundation. The Foundation was formed under his leadership and became an official 501© 3 nonprofit entity, formed for educational and charitable purposes in July of 2000.

The Trinity Street Office Center was constructed to house the Texas Retired Teachers Association and the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation. Construction on the building was completed in 2002, and all building spaces are currently leased. The building is now fully occupied with tenants Daughters of Charity (Seton Hospital), Texas Association of Builders and the University of Texas Medical School.

Dr. Laycock is currently the President of the Foundation Board of Directors and remains the Board’s liaison to the Foundation’s building partners.

Under Dr. Laycock’s steadfast leadership the Foundation has raised the money for the building which is strategically located just two blocks from the capitol. It is the closest to the capitol of any association in Austin.

Denice Whalen-White

Denice Whalen-White is a mainstay in the Alston & Bird DC office’s pro bono and community service activities.

Denice is a Board Member of Women of Virtue, Incorporated (WOV), a women’s self-help organization that offers counseling and support to women in the community in a wide range of areas, including nutrition, domestic violence, women’s health, parenting and small business ownership.

In her church, Denice established a young people’s choir, designed and maintains the church’s website and even serves as a lay speaker in her pastor’s absence.

Denice started a home business for Longaberger Baskets, which involves home décor projects, and donates a portion of the income to Komen Breast Cancer Fund, WOV Breast Cancer Fund, American Cancer Foundation and other worthy causes.

Alston & Bird has a close, active relationship with Capital Area Immigration Rights Coalition, and Denice has “adopted” CAIR Coalition by organizing and offering staff services to assist CAIR Coalition staff. It is not unusual to find an A&B meeting room set aside by Denice, filled with A&B volunteer staff and CAIR Coalition personnel furiously stuffing envelopes. Debi Sanders, CAIR Coalition’s executive director, has many times applauded Denice’s work as an enormous contribution to that organization’s efforts on behalf of the DC area’s immigrant community.

Denice is the “driver” behind the DC office newsletter, started with her active participation in 2005. She makes sure pro bono activities and community service is communicated and recognized within the firm.

Denice is an active member of our DC pro bono committee, she leads the office’s participation in the firm-wide “Loops of Love” activity, she works with other staff to provide blankets for Egleston Children’s Hospital, she works on Christmas packages for military personnel, and she helps us assemble food packages for Bread for the City for distribution to needy families in the DC area.

Denice always participates in office activities for the community, like the Komen Race for the Cure and the Fannie Mae Homeless Walk.

Robert Long

Dr. Robert Long’s adult son, who had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, was shot and killed by a local law enforcement officer. Dr. Long called the sheriff’s department when his son began manifesting symptomatic behavior that he considered dangerous to his son. In the events that followed, Dr. Long witnessed his son’s death.

Rather than personally lashing out or succumbing to overwhelming grief, Dr. Long chose to use this tragic incident for the betterment of our community. After making inquiries, he learned there was no comprehensive, regularly scheduled training program regarding dealing with the mentally ill for law enforcement officers in the area. He approached the Foundation for Mental Health of the Shoals and made a significant financial contribution for this purpose. Subsequently, the Foundation contracted with the Riverbend Center for mental health and a public mental health training was conducted with 138 law enforcement offers attending.

Officers from the three counties of Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin were invited and every law enforcement agency in these three counties sent one or more representatives.

This type of training is becoming increasingly important for communities. Alabama, as well as every state in the union, has closed down public facilities serving the severely mentally ill, resulting in almost daily encounters of law officers with severely disturbed people who frequently have stopped taking their anti-psychotic medications. One has only to read articles from across the country to hear of incidents similar to the one described with Dr. Long. We plan to present this training program annually so that new officers will understand mental illness and be better trained to deal with it in a positive manner.

DR. ROBERT LONG

Dr. Robert Long’s adult son, who had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, was shot and killed by a local law enforcement officer. The sheriff’s department had been called by Dr. Long when his son began manifesting symptomatic behavior that Dr. Long considered dangerous to his son. The fatality occurred in the encounter, and was witnessed by Dr. Long.

Rather than personally lashing out or succumbing to overwhelming grief, Dr. Long chose to use this tragic incident for the betterment of the community. After making inquiries, he learned there was no comprehensive, regularly scheduled training program regarding dealing with the mentally ill for law enforcement officers in the area. He approached the Foundation for Mental Health of the Shoals and made a significant financial contribution for this purpose. Subsequently, the Foundation, with the Riverbend Center for mental health, hosted a local public mental health seminar was conducted with 138 law enforcement offers attending.

Officers from the three counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin were invited and every law enforcement agency in these three counties sent one or more representatives.

This type of training is becoming increasingly important for communities. Ala., as well as every state in the union, has closed down public facilities serving the severely mentally ill, resulting in almost daily encounters of law officers with severely disturbed people who frequently have stopped taking their anti-psychotic medications. One has only to read articles from across the country to hear of incidents similar to the one described with Dr. Long. The community plans to present this training program annually so that new officers will understand mental illness and be better trained to deal with it in a positive manner.

Barbara Cox

Barb Cox serves as county coordinator for Special Olympics Delaware County in Indiana. She has served this organization for the past 10 years, and in 2006 alone, Barb logged over 800 service hours.

Special Olympics of Delaware County is one of Indiana’s three largest Special Olympics programs, serving over 500 athletes and partners. They provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in order to create continuing opportunities for them to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement, build skills, make friends and participate in the community.

As county coordinator, Barb oversees all of the activities within the county and completes all of the paperwork necessary to keep the program accredited as a state program. Because Special Olympics Delaware County is an all-volunteer organization, in addition to serving as county coordinator, Barb is also a coach, bus driver, and fundraiser. They receive no federal, state or local funds and raise in excess of $50,000 annually to support the program.

In July, Barb was able to attend the first ever USA National Games where she had three athletes competing against athletes from across the country. In October, Barb will be attending the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China. One of her local swimmers will be part of Team USA. He is one of only seven Hoosier athletes that will be part of the team representing the United States.

Barb brings her personal passion and commitment to bear on every challenge involved in scheduling, coaching, planning – and even cooking for the awards banquet. She is a true servant leader who puts her hands and heart to work at every level of need within the organization. Thanks to her vision and the many hours she invests, the lives of special athletes and partners in Delaware County are enhanced each year as they work together.

Michael Copeland

Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland met with Olathe Schools Superintendent Pat All to discuss ways in which he could work with Olathe Schools to improve childhood literacy. It was determined that he could make the biggest impact on literacy by working with first graders in Olathe’s ten Title 1 schools, and in September, 2005, the “I Read With Mayor Mike” program was launched.

In September, 2005, Mayor Copeland began visiting Title 1 elementary schools in Olathe, reading to first grade students and giving a free paperback book and an “I Read With Mayor Mike” sticker to each child. For the 2006-2007 school year, Title 1 first graders are also receiving free “I Read With Mayor Mike” book bags, sponsored by businesses and civic organizations in the community.

During each school visit, a random drawing is conducted to select two students to ride with Mayor Copeland in the OLATHE READS float in the annual Johnson County Old Settlers Days parade. The 2006 parade float was decorated with a literacy theme by students at Indian Trail Junior High School, giving even more Olathe students an opportunity to participate in OLATHE READS and celebrate literacy in the community.

As a supplement to the School District’s regular reading curriculum, “I Read With Mayor Mike” emphasizes that reading is an important part of good citizenship and brings life-long rewards. The program is touching the lives of approximately 600 Olathe first graders enrolled in Title 1 schools.

As the “I Read With Mayor Mike” partnership between the City of Olathe and Olathe Schools progressed, the Olathe Public Library joined with the City and Olathe Schools to form OLATHE READS, a community-wide consortium whose purpose is to promote the value and importance of reading. The City of Olathe seeks to be known as a “City of Readers,” which is reflected in the Olathe Reads logo.

The OLATHE READS goal is to bring literacy initiatives throughout Olathe under one umbrella, pooling the resources, expertise, and influence of the City of Olathe, the Olathe School District, and the Public Library to more effectively reach the community and accomplish the community’s literacy goals. Although the current emphasis is on children, OLATHE READS will eventually embrace new and existing literacy programs for older students and adults as well. While OLATHE READS has no paid staff members, an OLATHE READS Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the Public Library, City of Olathe, and Olathe Schools is leading the effort.

Funding for OLATHE READS has been provided through generous grants from the Comcast Foundation and Wal-Mart, Olathe District Schools, and other community donors – a clear reflection of the broad-based community support that exists for the initiative.

The scope and outreach of OLATHE READS will continue to evolve as additional literacy goals are established. There are three OLATHE READS initiatives currently underway: “I Read With Mayor Mike” – Mayor Michael Copeland’s reading initiative in Olathe’s Title 1 elementary schools; expansion and promotion of the Olathe Public Library’s Summer Reading Club; and support for the Library’s Daycare Outreach Program. The OLATHE READS Steering Committee has identified these three projects as having significant potential for promoting the importance of reading in the community.

Bev Van Canagan

Missoula Aging Services is responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering services which supports Missoula County’s older residents, their families and caregivers by promoting independence and dignity, serving elders with the greatest need, providing easy access to services, providing opportunities for seniors to make a difference in their communities, and providing consumer education and advocating for quality services.

Bev Van Canagan joined the organization as a volunteer in the spring of 1994. Since that time, she has served many hours in various capacities. Bev is a dependable volunteer that always brings a cheerful demeanor and a lot of enthusiasm.

Bev has volunteered for Missoula Aging Services by serving with meals on Wheels, ROOTS and RSVP. Bev delivers nutritious food to clients with the Meals on Wheels program. She also delivers commodities for the ROOTS program and participates in outreach for RSVP. Bev is currently serving as administrative support for the front desk two days each week. She is the initial contact for the agent’s clients, either in person or over the phone, and it is evident that the organization places confidence in her abilities.

Bev excels as a communicator. She is well versed in the Missoula Aging Services programs so she can efficiently connect someone in need with someone who can assist them. Her communication with clients extends to sincerity and caring. Sometimes she is even called upon to utilize her Russian language skills. The staff is comfortable leaving Bev in charge and rely on her to handle most every situation they encounter. Bev’s support of the agency, her dedication to serving as a volunteer and her disposition are invaluable. She is one of Missoula Aging Services finest assets.

Caroline Squires

Caroline Squires has been serving at Missoula Aging Services since 2002. Caroline has given to the agency in various capacities, but no matter which “hat” she was wearing; she always made a difference.

Caroline began her career with the Senior Nutrition Program as an Experience Works employee. In 2004, she decided to work with the Senior Companion Program. Caroline has worked with a variety of individuals offering not only support with transportation, socialization and weekly errands, but most importantly she has provided company and friendship.

One of the things that make Caroline so special is her ability to meet her clients and thoughtfully examine their interactions. She is able to truly listen and see how her responses and communication style helps make real successes in situations that might otherwise be challenging. Caroline is very reflective. She takes the time to truly listen and hear what her clients have to say. Then she is able to bring out the positives in each situation and learn from each relationship.

In addition to her work as a Senior Companion, Caroline also volunteers one day a week as a Nutrition Office Assistant. She also frequently keeps her husband company as they deliver Meals on Wheels together. Caroline has a full schedule; however, she makes sure to take the time to serve.

Marion Leifer

Marion Leifer has been a volunteer at Missoula Food Bank for the past five years, and has been a stable, reliable, organized force.

Marion’s role at the food bank is essential. She greets the clients and processes their applications. As a customer service representative, she is friendly, accurate, and pays great attention to detail. She has taken a leadership role in training others to do data entry. She also has been an integral part of major events like the Thanksgiving turkey distribution. Whenever they need someone reliable and independent, Marion’s name immediately comes to mind.

Missoula Food Bank can be a very challenging place to volunteer. Last year, they served almost 13,000 individual clients. On a busy day, as many as 100 families use the services within a three-hour period. Marion’s job is often fast-paced and requires a definite sense of patience and calm. She does a wonderful job of handling even the most difficult of circumstances.

Marion’s commitment extends beyond the walls of Missoula Food Bank. Since 2001, she has served more than 1,700 hours with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She serves as a receptionist for Missoula Aging Services and is currently active in the Neighbor to Neighbor Program. She has also volunteered with the Traveler’s Rest State Park, YMCA River Run, St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula City Police Department, and Meals on Wheels. She has also been very active in her church.