Virginia Anne McCarty

In only two and a half years since becoming a V.I.P.S. with the Vacaville Police Department on March 16, 2005, Virginia Ann McCarty has recorded over 1,400 hours of service. Based on the program’s standard of 200 hours per year this equates to seven years of service.

Virginia is by nature a multitasker. She has become the Vacaville PD “GO TO” V.I.P.S. Virginia’s current projects include: managing the citizen ride along program, for both citizens and police applicants; facilitating all street closure requests, a huge project requiring the coordination of Patrol, Traffic, and the Community; she participates in and has significantly contributed to training new volunteers and enhancing the role and scope of services provided by the V.I.P.S. Patrol Assistant (PA) Team. This Team now works arm and arm with Police Officers assisting in a variety of complex tasks, and in the event of major emergency or disaster they are prepared to provide a trained volunteer emergency response and communications workforce.

Virginia recently assisted with a police officer recruitment project which involved researching and recruitment of potential officers from more than 80 law enforcement agencies statewide. Virginia coordinates the recruitment, registration and organization of the on-going V-CERT (Vacaville- Citizen’s Emergency Response Team) training academies, including producing the Identification badges and Completion Certificates for graduates.

Virginia is loved and cherished by all. Command Staff unanimously chose Virginia as the 2006 Volunteer of the Year as she has impacted each of their Divisions in a positive way. It has been Virginia’s willingness to take on multiple duties and to do an outstanding job at each one that has earned her everyone’s appreciation and respect.

Kat Lanigan

Kat Lanigan, co-chair of the Kids Serve Too National Kid’s Advisory Board, worked hard to get the Warner Bros Looney Tune characters, including the beloved Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and Tweety Bird to sign thank you letters to children of deployed military as part of the KS2 “A Thousand Thanks to Military Children” project. Although the project was initially funded by AUSA, the Association of the United States Army, families from all the service branches can request a letter for their children at www.saluteourservices.org.

Kat Lanigan is the daughter of a US Army Reservist and knows the stresses of deployments from firsthand experience. “My goal is to help make sure that kids like me know that they are appreciated and to say thank you to them for their sacrifices,” says Kat Lanigan, 16, a student at Westfields High School in Herndon, VA. “It’s hard having one of your parents away” adds Kat. “My dad has missed my last three birthdays because of deployments.”

In her role as Co-Chair of the National Kid’s Advisory Board for Kids Serve Too, a non-profit created by military families for military families, Kat Lanigan leads an Advisory Board of military kids from around the nation to help with awareness and deployment issues. KS2 has awarded financial grants in over 36 states around the nation to allow children to stay involved in their extracurricular activities during deployments, host events around the country, and provides educational materials to non-military schools regarding the stresses of deployment on children.

“I know what my dad does is important,” says Kat. “But what we do is important, too. My dad needs to know that I am safe and sound when he is away so he can concentrate on doing his job.”

The Kids Serve Too program relies on support from the community. KS2 is one of the grassroots organizations of America Supports You. America Supports You is an ongoing nationwide program that helps showcase American’s support for the men and women of the Armed Forces.

The Robert A. Jamieson School

Robert A. Jamieson School students, ages 15-21 years old, come to the blood center once a week throughout the school year to volunteer by performing clerical work. The program is designed to help students gain the skills needed to hold a job after graduation. Now in its tenth year, it is estimated that over 50 students have benefited from the program. The work skills training program has had a tremendous impact on the blood services region, as it has successfully integrated volunteers with and without disabilities, allowed staff the opportunity to share in the potential of people with disabilities and provided much needed clerical support.

The Jamieson kids won the Office Award at the 2007 Annual Volunteer luncheon. This award recognizes an individual whose work as an office Volunteer inspires others by their attention to detail, ability to work well with others and ability to complete projects accurately and in a timely manner. Our award recipients have been volunteering with us since 1997. Together, they have helped with office projects ranging from assembling 16 year old packets & Pint Sized Heroes packets, unpacking mugs and helping to assemble and unpack hundreds of various pins. Given a choice, they are very quick to tell you which project they would prefer to work on. Their commitment is unending and during the school season, they are usually here every Tuesday. Their positive attitudes are infectious and they are a joy to be around.

Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson is a Cal State University, Long Beach graduate student majoring in Public Administration and Business Operations. In addition, to his academic studies, he works part time at Sam’s Club, and finds time in his busy schedule to volunteer several hours each week as an intern with the OC Parks Adopt-A-Park program. Through his internship, Larry has provided outstanding support for the Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Services division. His responsibilities involve the recruitment, screening, orienting, tracking and recognition of volunteers.

According to OC Parks Volunteer Services Coordinator Angeline Santiago, “Volunteers are the ‘heartbeat’ of the OC Parks Adopt-A-Park program.” Each year thousands of volunteers participate in a variety of activities from trail maintenance and restoration to leading interpretive hikes and providing visitor education. With the assistance of exceptional interns such as Larry, OC Parks Volunteer Services successfully manages the habitat beautification efforts of more than 400 general volunteers and countless special-event and short-term volunteers who are assigned to 39,000 acres of parkland and open space, which includes 30 OC Parks locations.

The Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Services internship program was initiated in 2007 with Larry as the first student intern. He has been instrumental in mainstreaming the volunteer registration process throughout OC Parks, and during the test phase of the new OC Parks volunteer database, he made several recommendations for enhancing the system. In addition, Larry has led the Adopt-A-Park program orientation meetings for specialized volunteer groups that include developmentally disabled adults who are eager to lend a hand and who benefit tremendously from their volunteer experience. As further proof of his commitment to the program, Larry personally recruited additional interns to assist the Volunteer Services coordinator. It’s easy to see why OC Parks staff is so impressed with this incredible volunteer!

In April 2007, the Volunteer Services coordinator was asked to conduct two extremely difficult and highly stressful orientation meetings for developmentally disabled adults. Even though the presentations were thoughtfully planned, several orientation supplies were inadvertently left behind at the program’s Irvine Regional Park office. The Volunteer Services coordinator decided to return to the park to retrieve the items and asked Larry to quickly fill in for her. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to begin the orientation, adapting the information to materials that were available. He delivered the presentation with ease and confidence, maintaining the interest of the entire group while connecting each volunteer with Adopt-A-Park projects that matched their individual skills and interests.

Larry is a motivated volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. His confidence, initiative, positive attitude and flexibility are exceptional attributes that enhance his efforts in providing support for the Volunteer Services coordinator. His management experience in operations and general management, planning and allocation has helped to strengthen the Adopt-A-Park volunteer program. Since beginning his internship in early 2007, Larry has contributed more than 150 volunteer hours to the Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Services program. Rather than end his internship with the completion of required hours, Larry has decided to continue volunteering indefinitely.

Marjorie Hislop

Marjorie “Marge” Hislop has been planning educational programs for OASIS Education Center for almost 12 years. OASIS Education Center offers challenging programs in the arts, humanities, health/fitness and volunteer service including tutoring children in reading.

She creates the opportunity for community members to participate in over 300 challenging classes in the arts, humanities, fitness and health education. Marge has given 10,000+ hours of her time to ensure 8,500 people in the OASIS membership in Lane County are able to choose freely from a wide variety of programs each trimester.

In addition to volunteering 3 days/week at OASIS, Marge also donates one day/week for a city resource center helping community members stay active and challenged, from elders to children. She developed a community wide walk “Healthy Steps for Aging” in which she collaborates with 3 other senior centers to encourage people 50 and over to get out and enjoy the fresh air while walking with friends. This event draws over 100 people each year. Marge is the leader of a local chapter of the Red Hat Society one day/week as well. She is the ‘ultimate’ volunteer!

Carl Lee Hicks Jr.

While driving through downtown Medina one afternoon, all traffic had stopped. Carl Lee Hicks, Jr. got out of his truck to see what the holdup was. What he saw was overwhelming to him. There was a funeral procession for PFC Devin Grella, who died in the Iraq War. There were hundreds of people lined up all around the square and for miles after that on the route to the veterans’’ cemetery where Devin was to rest in peace.

Carl was so touched by this, he felt even though he did not know Devin or his family, he had to do something so this fallen soldier or any other from Medina County, would not be forgotten. Carl is now the founder of Medina County Hometown Heroes. He has established a Battle cross Memorial (boots, helmet and rifle), to be erected in Devin’s hometown Medina Township. Medina Township has donated an acre of land from their newly developed park for this memorial to be placed.

Carl wanted this to be a place where people could come and reflect and honor the fallen soldier who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For every fallen solider from Medina County, there will be a memorial placed in their hometown as well. We just hope this will be the only one. Carl has solicited Medina County residents and business to help pay for this memorial. He also is selling dedication bricks to surround the memorial for the “Walkway To A Hero”.

Carl has put his heart and soul into this project to honor the fallen soldiers that paid the ultimate price and gave us the freedom that we all have today.

Meris Gunderson

Meris Gunderson works throughout the community to serve others. She embodies the spirit and diligence of a student leader in service learning.

Some of her service involved working with special needs students. Every Friday, she makes the time to work with children with disabilities. She also works at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) nursing home every Friday. Meris especially enjoys her work at the VA nursing home. Like all of us, she has grandparents, but what separates her is the fact that her grandparents are blind. Through her relationship with them, she can communicate with people in ways that the average student cannot. Her experience also comes especially in hand with Derek, a disabled student who is blind. She can work with him by reading in braille, and she knows what activities to do to stimulate his other sentences. He is normally very shy but he always speaks and is happy around her. Because Meris is so good at working with Derek, the other students seem to draw to her for attention. She treats them all as if they don’t have their disabilities.

Other volunteers admire her and try to learn from her; they want to learn new ways of communication to work with the students. They see how rewarding it is for Meris to connect and help make them happy. In addition, the residents of the nursing home have a special connection because Meris can communicate with those that other volunteers cannot. Meris is not shy and gets the elders talking. They are so funny to listen to and she seems to bring out the best in them.

Along with her dedication, Meris is patient and kind. Sometimes when the special needs students are not able to do something, it gets frustrating. Other volunteers try to work with them but sometimes don’t know how. Meris steps in and truly reaches out to the kids. They sense her genuine concern and empathy. She definitely seems to connect with everyone she meets. Meris is also consistent and dependable. When she is tired, she still shows up to her volunteer assignment. One day, she received personal news that her grandmother was hospitalized and her family needed to leave to go out of state immediately. Meris did not want to let her child down and not attend her session; she had to be convinced to go back home to her family.

Meris displays all the traits of a good volunteer. Her community is a better place because of her service. It would benefit all students to use her as an example and become more involved. They will see what a rewarding experience community service can be, and in the end, they will become better people.

Jim & Judy Goodwin

Judy and Jim Goodwin have been volunteers with the Southwest Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program for 19 years and 7 years respectively. Southwest Interfaith is a non-profit organization that provides services for older adults in need. The mission of SW Interfaith is to help older adults remain independent in their homes or apartments. Jim and Judy volunteer tirelessly three to nine hours a week escorting the elderly to their medical appointments, to the grocery store and helping with minor home repairs. Judy also volunteers in the SW Interfaith office twice a month answering phone calls and matching volunteers with elderly clients. Both she and Jim are always willing and ready to help when asked; no task is too great! Judy states that she has a desire to be “unselfish” and share her good life and Jim wants to help others and to get to know a variety of people.

Judy and Jim are members of Adoration Lutheran Church in Greenfield. They are involved with Active Adoration Angels Senior Group that meets once a month. Judy is a past president of the group and was instrumental in founding the group whose purpose within their congregation is to socialize with members by organizing trips and entertainment events, to donate SHARE baskets to shut-ins during holidays, and to prepare meals for those who are ill or have been hospitalized. Jim and Judy are also involved in the different ministries at Adoration Church. Judy is a member of the Parish Council, Social Ministry Committee, and represents her church as a Board member of SW Interfaith. Jim is active on the Buildings and Grounds committee, which maintains the property, and the Evangelism committee where he is involved in fund raising to support the various outreach programs in the congregation.

The Goodwins have been members of the Habitat for Humanity program for the past 5 years. They have participated in local and national projects where they assumed many different duties that resulted in the construction of new homes. In 2006, they spent 2 weeks in Kentucky where they joined groups from across the country to build homes. Through the Lutheran Relief Services/ELCA, Jim and Judy were part of team that went to Biloxi, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. They spent five days at Camp Biloxi helping to repair, reconstruct and provide support for the victims of the disaster. Their duties varied from sorting clothing to preparing food to putting a new roof on the kitchen to cleaning away debris. They are interested in going back to help those people who are still working to get back into their homes.

Judy also volunteers at the 3rd World Shoppe, which is located at 5305 W. Capitol Drive in Milwaukee. The Shoppe has items that are for sale from over 42 countries. The proceeds go directly to the participating countries. Judy has a set shift once a month does presentations at sites all over the metropolitan area and helps with inventory as needed. For the past 2 years Jim and Judy have participated in Make A Difference Day coordinated by the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee. The day is set aside to help seniors get their homes and yards ready for the winter. Jim and Judy spent the better part of a Saturday raking and/or mowing lawns, and washing windows for seniors in their area.

Through the Elder Hostel Service Project in the Little Rock, AR area, the Goodwins volunteered for a week working on a Heifer Project ranch. It was a week of hard, physical work building and repairing fences, landscaping and caring for herds of horses. The Heifer Project is a global movement of people taking action to end hunger and create sustainable communities around the world giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief. For the past five years, Jim and Judy have been part of the group that answers phones and takes pledges to support the Public Television Channel during the Channel 10 Auction.

Judy and Jim have helped deliver meals on major holidays to apartments of low-income elderly people through a program sponsored by Community Projects. As the Volunteer Coordinator at SW Interfaith, I am addressing the following categories with Jim and Judy’s involvement with our agency.

With 415 active older adult clients there is a great need for volunteers. There is no public transportation in the southwest communities that SW Interfaith serves: Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners and Franklin. Thus, the biggest need in the area is transportation. Judy and Jim Goodwin are retired, active and are in great physical shape. They are able to fulfill the greatest need of our clients, which is transportation to medical appointments and they are available during the day when they are most needed. They are always willing to take on the most difficult and challenging assignments. Jim is skillful with minor home repairs and Judy is always ready to lend a hand with fundraising and special projects.

Jim Goodwin, nicknamed “Goody” during his high school days, approaches each and every one of his volunteer opportunities with a positive, caring, and friendly manner. The seniors he transports to their various destinations are treated with respect, a sense of humor and genuine concern for their well-being. He talks with them, helps them in and out of the car, accompanies them to their appointments and gets them safely back to their own homes. If they need any extra service, Jim will provide it or get someone else to help them.

Judy is able to anticipate the needs of the seniors she helps by the open line of communication she establishes with them. She is very aware of their needs and keeps in touch with the director of the program when there is a concern. She has been a volunteer with SW Interfaith since it was established in 1988. Judy started as a volunteer while working full time and continued after she retired from her career. She views the clients as an extension of her own life, and treats them as part of her family. In her volunteer work in the SW Interfaith office she is caring and helpful with the elderly who call for services and is competent and accurate in her record keeping.

Jim and Judy have made a major difference in the lives of the people they have served and continue to serve. Their outgoing personalities, positive attitudes, willingness to help and caring way boost the spirits of the elderly in need. Because they treat people like members of their own family, clients ask for them again and again. We would not be able to provide services for as many people as we do without the help of the Goodwins. They have made and continue to make a great impact in the SW Interfaith Program.

Kate Dineen

Kate is a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and instructor. CERT is a nationally certified 28-hour course that teaches individuals to function as a member of a team to perform essential life safety actions while awaiting the arrival of professional emergency first responders. Furthermore, it is a positive and realistic approach to emergency situations where ordinary citizens will initially be on their own, and where there actions can make a difference. Through this training, individuals can manage utilities, put out small fires, provide basic medical aid, search for and rescue victims safely and organize spontaneous volunteers.

Kate coordinates the efforts of other CERT members during the Wakarusa Music Festival when Douglas County CERT members provide first aid to festival attendees. Kate is also responsible for writing the disaster simulations for CERT. The disaster simulation serves as the final test for CERT students so that they may apply their classroom training.

Kate’s duties as a Skywarn member go beyond braving adverse weather conditions to provide accurate weather conditions to the National Weather Service (NWS) and DCEM. This allows those agencies to better understand the situation and make informed decisions on warning and notification for the public. She also serves in the Douglas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as the EOC Net Controller. She remains in contact with all Douglas County Skywarn members storm spotting in the field and relays those messages to the Emergency Management Staff to keep them informed and aware of the imminent weather. That crucial information is then shared with local media outlets and the NWS, so the public will be better informed of changing and possibly threatening weather conditions. She is driven to improve all DCEM volunteer groups so they may better serve Douglas County, Kansas and its citizens!

Another way Kate serves the community is by reading the Kansas River level. Rain or shine Kate is always available to lend a hand and measure the river level which can be every four hours during a potential flooding event. This is passed along to the NWS to provide accurate data to input into models for river forecasts.

Kate’s devotion to service is easily seen through the fact that she works a full-time job, plays in the symphony, and volunteers for DCEM in her “free time.” She never complains nor hesitates when her assistance is requested and arrives with a smile on her face. Kate’s experience and talent is invaluable to both DCEM and Douglas County cities and citizens.

Wayne Deaver

Wayne Deaver is an invaluable member of three Douglas County Emergency Management Volunteer organizations: Douglas County Auxiliary Communications Team (ACT), Skywarn, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Wayne is a committed member of the Douglas County ACT which is a volunteer organization that provides adjunct support and communications to local governmental units before, during, or after and emergency or disaster situation such as floods and severe weather.

Wayne is also a vital member of Skywarn as the training officer and coordinator of speakers for the Douglas County Severe Weather Symposium. This symposium is open to the public to teach storm spotting skills, severe weather safety and preparedness and other severe weather topics. In addition to these Skywarn duties, Wayne also serves as an on-call Skywarn Net Controller during severe weather activations. He is responsible for coordinating incoming and outgoing information to all Douglas County Skywarn storm spotters. This pertinent up-to-the-minute information of threatening weather conditions is quickly passed along to Emergency Management Staff and the National Weather Service to be disseminated to the public by local media or through severe weather warnings to keep the cities and citizens of Douglas County and surrounding counties abreast of changing weather conditions.

Wayne is exceedingly devoted to the CERT program in Douglas County. He completed the nationally certified 28-hour course that teaches individuals to function as a member of a team to perform essential life safety actions while awaiting the arrival of professional emergency first responders. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency response where individuals will initially on their own and where their actions can make a difference. Not only is Wayne a member of CERT and dependable to volunteer to provide first aid during fairs and other events, but he is also an instructor. This training is offered at no cost to citizens teaching them disaster preparedness, fire suppression, light search and rescue, basic first aid, and much more. In 2007, Wayne served as an instructor and speaker coordinator for the CERT training which involved 40 participants. That’s 40 more people who are disaster aware and a little more prepared.

Wayne is always ready and willing to perform any function requested and to better prepare himself and those around him. His dedication to service is obvious in the amount of time spent volunteering during his “free time” as Wayne works a full-time job.