Student Government Association of DeBary
Reaching out to the community is important to the students at DeBary Elementary School. The DeBary Elementary Student Government Association leads their efforts. This group of students is very active not only as leaders in the school but also initiating and planning projects to help others in the community.
The DeBary Elementary Student Government Association initiated a year-long project entitled Heart to Heart. The project took place at DeBary Manor, nursing home in DeBary, FL. The students visited the Manor on the regular basis. Besides just their regular visits, the students initiated activities to be done with the Manor residents such as helping residents plant flowers, decorating doors for holidays and assisting with Bingo.
The interchange between DeBary Manor residents and the DeBary Elementary Student Government Association students has been a wonderful learning experience for all. The lives of the Manor residents, who are sometimes lonely and forgotten, have been brightened and the residents are excited when the students come to visit. The students are always anxious to return and continue to develop the bond they have with the residents.
The DeBary Elementary Student Government Association has also taken the lead in helping others in the community. They led a Toys for Tots drive, a food drive for needy families and a food drive for needy pets and animals. They also had a Christmas collection for items needed for the DeBary Manor Residents. Recently, the SGA and the students of DeBary Elementary participated in the MDA Shamrock fundraiser, sending in almost four hundred dollars to help Jerry’s Kids and the MDA Foundation.
DeBary Elementary Student Government Association was nominated by DeBary Elementary for the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year awards presented by the United Way’s Volunteer Center of Volusia-Flagler Counties, FL, and Bright House Networks. Because of their work within their community, DeBary Elementary Student government Association has been recognized as outstanding youth volunteers.
Ed Nathanson
Chief Nathanson founded the Children’s Holiday Program to provide a special Christmas for needy families. His efforts to bring a Merry Christmas to needy families has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts over the past quarter century. The gifts for these families have filled an entire school auditorium.
He is a founding board member of Operation Home Bound and the Christian Food Pantry. These charities began in 1998. He is also a board member for the Lake County Children’s Foundation, as well as, a member of the Lake County Children’s Services Council.
Locally, the Chief is an honorary member of Boy Scout Troop #244, Girl Scout Troop #710, Lady Lake Little League, and the Lady Lake Soccer League. He also assists with The Villages Elementary PTA and Chorus.
He is an honorary member of American Legion Post #347 and The Villages Veteran’s Organization. He is responsible for bringing the Adopt-A-Vet Program to The Villages Elementary. The Chief has assisted the Disabled American Veterans with many community service projects. In 1992 he was awarded the Forty and Eight Officer of the Year Award for Florida from the American Legion.
He works with the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Lady Lake Business Leaders Association. In 1992 he was presented with The Good Egg Award from the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, the Chief has spearheaded a fundraiser to get enough money for an electric wheelchair for a disabled little girl, whose family would never have been able to afford the wheelchair on their own.
In 2005, Chief was awarded the Community Service Eagle Award from the Lake County League of Cities, Leadership Lake County Alumni Association, and the Daily Commercial.
He is a member of the West Central Florida Police Chief’s Association and was the secretary/treasurer from 2002-2005. He is also a member of the International Police Chief’s Association. From 1986-1988 he served as President of the West Central Florida Crime Prevention Association.
He was a founding member and past President of Drug Free, Inc. This organization presented him with the By George Award in 1993. Through his many hours of charitable work with Truckers Love Children, Inc. he was presented the Sword of Justice Award in 1994.
National Volunteer Week Honoree–Cherie Owen
Cherie Owen has been volunteering in the rescue of animals for 32 years. She moved to Gardnerville, NV in 1992 with her dogs and started volunteering at the Douglas County Animal Shelter.
Cherie felt that the killing of the shelter animals for lack of space, money, and lack of will was not the way to think. Cherie founded and is the president of Douglas Animal Welfare Group (DAWG). DAWG is a nonprofit 501©3 organization formed in 2000 with approximately 100 members, all volunteers, who rely solely on donations to support their work.
DAWG is devoted to improving the lives of the companion animals residing at the Douglas County Animal Shelter. This is accomplished by working with the animals to ensure they are socialized and ready for a family, supporting the spaying and neutering of the animals to decrease the number of homeless pets in the county, providing medical treatment when necessary, and through educating the public about the shelter and proper animal care. In addition, DAWG assists in emergencies with general tasks at the shelter, in order to keep the shelter open. DAWG volunteers also act as foster parents when animals need special care, fill in when there are staff shortages, and help with animal adoptions.
In 2005 they transported and paid for the spaying or neutering of over 70 animals. Since 2000, DAWG assisted with 464 adoptions. In 2006, DAWG paid for 17 spay or neuter for animals and assisted in 92 adoptions. Due in part to these efforts, the most important accomplishment has been the elimination of the need to put down any adoptable animals. No adoptable animals have been put down in the Douglas County Animal Shelter since DAWG was formed.
In 2005, the Nevada Appeal Newspaper in Carson City, Nevada named DAWG the “Organization of the Year.” In 2006, the Douglas County Historical Society honored Cherie Own for her “significant historical contribution to the quality of life”, in Douglas County for forming DAWG. In November of 2006, the Chamber of Commerce named DAWG as the “Service Organization of the Year.” In 2007, Channel 2, KTVN, picked Cherie Owen as “Someone to Know” which is a five-minute segment on their nightly news program once a week.
National Volunteer Week Honoree–Shadan Mohajerin
Shadan Kapri Mohajerin’s deep commitment to public service has been shown by over a thousand hours of volunteer work on the local, national, and international level. During law school, she volunteered for two and a half years as the President of the Multi-Cultural Law Caucus (MLC). In this role, she organized food drives for the local food bank. Clothing drives for homeless women and children, book and toy drives for children fighting cancer, and Christmas toy drives for underprivileged children in the community. She also created a program that recruited law students to tutor immigrants learning English as a second language.
She volunteered in coordinating a Mental Health Law Conference that brought together attorneys and members of the community to increase advocacy for individuals suffering from mental illness. She was also a member of the steering committee that coordinated the first International Conference for the Institute for Action Against Hate. She helped raise over $10,000 for the Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project by gaining local support and donations from over 10 local and national businesses and volunteering countless hours for the event and its promotion in the community.
Shadan’s volunteer work during law school extended far beyond the local and even national level when she volunteered for the United Nations Volunteers Summit for Information Society and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. As a research volunteer she spent over eight months volunteering for the UN for over four hundred hours. Her volunteer work for the U.N. began from August 2003 to December 2003. She was an online volunteer who provided research and writing in support of the United Nations December 2003 World Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Her research focused on how volunteers are using technology to help the United Nations reach its Millennium Development Goals. The activities researched by Shadan reflected innovative and unique approaches to solving the serious problems of gender inequality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and assisting least developed countries in economic development. The work by volunteers were brought together and showcased in a report during the first stage of the World Summit. She was even asked to send a video clip stating her name and volunteer work in support of the summit. Video clips from volunteers around the world were displayed outside the world summit.
Her volunteer work for the U.N. continued from May- August 2004. She volunteered to assist the United Nations by researching the important and devastating social problem of drug abuse in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Her research looked at a multidisciplinary approach to fighting the drug problem in these countries through national legislation, domestic efforts, and international cooperation among the neighboring countries and the international community. Her volunteer work had a large-scale impact since it was a part of a research project for the ASEAN and China Cooperative Operations in Response to Dangerous Drug (ACCORD) for the purpose of improving global information about the fight against drug abuse. ACCORD represents the commitment by Asian countries in pursuit of a drug free continent by 2015.
National Volunteer Week Honoree–Mitchell Arnold
Mitchell Arnold started PEACE IS THE GOAL as a goodwill initiative in 2006. His initiative aims to make the world a better place to live by spreading the message of peace and giving through “the world’s game:” soccer. PEACE IS THE GOAL provides soccer equipment to kids in needy and troubled areas of the world.
For his first focus project, Mitchell purchased and shipped 36 soccer balls, plus ball pumps and storage gear to the Institution Universe School in Oquanaminthe, Haiti. Mitchell used his own money to fund the project. The school, created in 1994 to address the educational crisis of Oquanaminthe, has a current enrollment of 1,400 students. The much-needed equipment is being utilized in physical education, recreational and team-formation activities.
“Thank you very much for your support of this vital ministry,” wrote school liaison Mike Pieper after receiving the supplies, “These kids at Institution Universe do not have much, but soccer is one thing they can all enjoy. Mitch, your generosity and haring of your gifts at your young age is remarkable.”
Mitchell recently completed a second project where he purchased and shipped soccer balls and gear to La Vega School in La Vega, the Dominican republic. Again, he oversaw the project and obtained no outside financial help. The supplies are going to a school that caters to very poor families. These schools acknowledge that physical activity and team-building not only improve the children’s health and self-esteem, but provide them with a positive outlet.
National Volunteer Week Honoree–Kim Schams
Kim Schams has been personally responsible for creating families for couples who otherwise may not ever have children. Her dream, which began about 14 years ago with the adoption of her first son, has become a reality with the establishment of Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach (APO). APO provides the lowest cost adoptions in Texas to Christian families desiring babies, while simultaneously nurturing the birth mother and supporting her decision. Kim provides ongoing and unlimited emotional support and financial support when necessary, for the birth mothers of the babies given for adoption, but also for the mothers who change their minds and decide to parent their babies themselves. This ongoing and loving support in the way of counseling and support groups enables the mothers to heal and continue forward to live productive, emotionally healthy lives themselves. The adopting parents are given counseling and support through frequent support group meetings and ongoing counseling from Kim and others experienced in adoption.
The vitality of this adoption agency comes from Kim’s enthusiasm and is driven by her deep love for women who are courageously trying to provide the best possible homes and futures for their children, whether they give them up for adoption or keep them. Her love for these women has spurred her to work day and night, giving up time with her own family, for the past 11 years, and with no salary or stipend, to establish an agency that is known for its love of its birth mothers as well as the parents who adopt the babies. Her days are filled talking to pregnant teens and women who are extremely distressed by unplanned pregnancies, as well as potential adopting parents. Very often Kim finds herself counseling the women’s parents as well. Kim presents the pros and cons of adoption and parenting to them, she arranges for immediate and long term needs which sometime involve providing housing for several months, food, clothing, medical care, and counseling for the birth father. Legal advice is also arranged by Kim with a local attorney when necessary.
In addition to providing support for birth parents and adopting parents, Kim holds weekly support group meetings for low-income mothers trying to parent their young children. She calls this her “Mommy Group” and she is extremely attached to them and devoted to teaching parenting skills and life skills. The relationships Kim establishes with these women lead helps her to pair the young mothers with mature women in the community who mentor them and establish close, personal ties with them. As is evident, Kim has her hand in many facets of improving lives for children throughout the community, whether they are connected to the adoption part of APO or not. Kim is also an example to a number of Aggie women who volunteer their time to APO, and she provides a place for these Aggie women to fellowship while helping and learning about giving of oneself. These Aggie women are additionally a source of educational inspiration to the young mothers who come in contact with them, yet another example of the powerful and beneficial relationships that are established because of the existence of APO and Kim.
National Volunteer Week Honoree–Georgia Flarsheim
Georgia Flarsheim volunteers for Paducah Middle School and prior to the school opening in August, she worked with the interview committees, helping to interview over 30 prospective teachers. She wrote and received a grant totaling $250 to obtain funding to purchase supplies for school bulletin boards, printing cost and to purchase badges for our visitor’s desk. She developed and coordinated a schedule for our volunteers at our visitor’s desk. When parents; schedules didn’t fit with school schedules, she found ways to utilize his/her abilities from bringing food to sending materials home for parents to help with cutting and gluing items for the bulletin board. She made sure everyone knew how important each volunteer job was, no matter how large or small.
Not long after school started, Georgia noticed and was unhappy with the teachers’ lounge. She enlisted a few parents’ help and cleaned cabinets, furniture, and closets. While cleaning and updating the lounge, she discovered the age and condition of the present coffeemaker and purchased the school another coffee and tea pot. She has continued to maintain the coffee, tea and hot chocolate self-service area for the enjoyment of all.
During the very busy holidays Georgia coordinated and decorated for our faculty Christmas Breakfast. She volunteers to help with the students’ drama and musical departments programs. Over the winter holiday, Georgia called to see if she could enter the building and work on the bulletin boards.
She helps chaperone when we have rewards programs for our students. She has been instrumental in creating and maintaining current bulletin boards information throughout the school. Our bulletin boards help promote school spirit and showcase programs and students in our building.
When our attendance clerk was on sick leave Georgia volunteered to assist with attendance issues and made the copies for the teachers for the entire month.
At the school alone, Georgia has dedicated more than 3,000 volunteer service hours since August 2005. However, her service and talent reach far beyond our school. She volunteers at PTHS working at the receptionist desk and the PTHS Speech Christmas holiday. She is a foster parent for abandoned puppies for the McCracken County Humane Society. It is truly amazing the time, effort and concern Georgia places in our school, our students, and our community. She is the perfect volunteer. She is always willing to help, but is never intrusive to any part of the learning environment.
DPOL -GEORGIA FLARSHEIM
Georgia Flarsheim volunteers for Paducah Middle School. Prior to the school opening in August, she worked with the interview committees, helping to interview over 30 prospective teachers. She wrote and received a grant totaling $250 to obtain funding to purchase supplies for school bulletin boards, printing cost and to purchase badges for our visitor’s desk. She developed and coordinated a schedule for our volunteers at our visitor’s desk. When parents schedules didn’t fit with school schedules, she found ways to utilize his/her abilities from bringing food to sending materials home for parents to help with cutting and gluing items for the bulletin board. She made sure everyone knew how important each volunteer job was, no matter how large or small.
Not long after school started, Flarsheim was unhappy with the teachers lounge. She enlisted a few parents’ help and cleaned cabinets, furniture, and closets. While cleaning and updating the lounge, she discovered the age and condition of the present coffeemaker and purchased the school another coffee and tea pot. She has continued to maintain the coffee, tea and hot chocolate self-service area for the enjoyment of all.
During the very busy holidays Flarsheim coordinated and decorated for our faculty Christmas Breakfast. Over the winter holiday, Flarsheim called to see if she could enter the building and work on the bulletin boards.
She volunteers to help with the students’ drama and musical departments programs.She helps chaperone when the school has the rewards programs for our students. She has been instrumental in creating and maintaining current bulletin boards information throughout the school. The bulletin boards help promote school spirit and showcase programs and students.
When the school’s attendance clerk was on sick leave Flarsheim volunteered to assist with attendance issues and made the copies for the teachers for the entire month.
At the school alone, Flarsheim has dedicated more than 3000 volunteer service hours since August 2005. However, her service and talent reach far beyond the school. She volunteers at PTHS working at the receptionist desk and the PTHS Speech Christmas holiday. She is a foster parent for abandoned puppies for the McCracken County Humane Society. It is truly amazing the time, effort and concern Flarsheim places in the school, its students, and her community.She is always willing to help, but is never intrusive to any part of the learning environment.
Arnold Stalk
Arnold Stalk has dedicated his professional career and has made a lifetime commitment to helping people in need. His first project was the design of a methadone clinic for heroin addicts on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. As a private businessman, he has consistently integrated his volunteer efforts helping community and faith based organizations as co-founder and past President of Christmas In April, Greater Las Vegas, a Board of Director of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (Sci-Arc), Co-Founder, Valley Shelter for the homeless, Co-Founder and Executive Director, L.A. Family Housing Corp; Past Board member YMCA Northeast Neighborhood Centers past Advisory Board member of USA Africa, Hands Across America, Comic Relief efforts to assist the homeless founder of MASH Village, a comprehensive homeless shelter and transitional housing center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Arnold currently serves, as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Southern Nevada Chapter, United Way of Southern Nevada, is President of the non-profit SHARE, is a member of the Clark County School District AZAC commission and is an Advisory member of the Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary and is assisting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
He is currently working on a disaster resistant, rapid deployment-housing prototype known as Instant—Built House in both Las Vegas, NV and New Orleans, LA. Arnold has helped non-profit and faith based organizations raised over $500 million for capital campaigns and operations and remains active and committed to help those who cannot help themselves in the communities.
Rachel Hoffman
At 14 years old, Rachel Lynn Hoffman is setting an example for the youth at the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club, showing that you may come from a small place, but you can make an enormous impact on those around you.
Rachel has been described as a mentor and a role model who “walks the walk and talks the talk”. She has been a volunteer at the Oaks Hill Boys & Girls Club for two years, helping with health and life skills, art programs, and ten involvement.
Through Rachel’s dedication, she has made the Health and Life Skills at the Club more fun and innovative for younger kids. Seeing that some girls were not interested in exercise, Rachel started a racquet/tennis ball program to include girls that were not very athletic. More teens are now involved with the programs at the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club due to Rachel’s efforts. Rachel also volunteers for Salvation Army and the REALITY youth at Edgewater United Methodist Church.
The Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties nominated Rachel Lynn Hoffman for the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year awards presented by the United Way’s Volunteer Center of Volusia-Flagler Counties, FL, and Bright House Networks. Because of her service as a mentor and a role model at the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club, Rachel was chosen as the Runner-up in the Individual Youth Category.
