June Fletcher

When the zoo keepers are doing an “off grounds” event and need an extra hand, June is there. When they are short on staff personnel at the zoo, June is there to help fill the void. She is just as much “hands on” as she is an educator. From exhibit work, to donations for the animals, to taking over a major project here at the zoo…June is there to help.

The zoo recently lost a home school teacher in the education department and June took charge of the class. Not only is June spending 3 days a week at the zoo teaching students, she is volunteering at night with the Boo at the Zoo event. The teen volunteers at the zoo have more structure to their program since June is involved also.

June Fletcher is an avid animal lover. She spends a lot of time at the Humane Society and she is even one of the spokespeople for the Humane Society. She takes animals to the news station every Thursday morning, without fail, to show the public the wonderful animals they can adopt. She takes many stray animals into her home and shows them more love than many show other humans.

Joan Dixon

Joan Dixon has dedicated her life to the community and has inspired many others to follow in her footsteps. Joan formed the Timpanogos Community Network (TCN) eight years ago and facilitates a weekly networking meeting for hundreds of members, including community members, service agencies, businesses and others who are dedicated to helping low-income individuals and families. This network has been the “think tank” for Utah County, mobilizing organizations and community members to make changes in the community.

Through this network Joan built up Festival Latinoamericano to be a community outreach event that brings 20,000 plus Hispanics and white community members together each year to celebrate culture and build community. Joan also helped form Centro Hispano six years ago and guided the organization through the process of becoming an official non-profit organization a three years ago. She is acted as the volunteer executive director for several years and currently chairs Centro Hispano’s board. She also serves on the boards of HELP International, Ouelessabougou-Utah Alliance, Daily Dose and many other nonprofit organizations, all without compensation Joan spends well over 30 hours every week on volunteer activities, and many are surprised she does not get paid for the work she does because of her great commitment.

Dearborn Police Explorer Post 1177

The Dearborn Police Explorer Post 1177 was established in 1968. It is an organization that provides leadership, integrity and good citizenship skills to young people ages 14-21. These young individuals have a sincere desire to become law enforcement officers and the Post provides this training. The current Post is 25 members strong and very diverse; they represent the cultural makeup of the City of Dearborn.

They have gown and put aside their differences, putting aside their gender, race and religion. They work as a team and the results have shown. In the last two National Competitions 2004/2006, members won first place trophies in Crime Scene and Hostage Negotiations. The Post is a volunteer service, giving back to community as the community has given to them. The young people donate their time to assist civic organizations with security as eyes and ears during their events. The training and skills they receive prepare them in becoming productive members of society.

Each individual in the Posts does approximately 500 hours of community service during the year. Some of these hours are done in the classroom or at events such as the Dearborn Relay for Life for Cancer, Dearborn Art on the Ave, Dearborn Homecoming and many more. The Post raises money to assist local charities such as the Relay for Life $1,595 this past Spring. The Dearborn Police Department benefits by hiring these fine individuals as police officers once they are done with school and meet the City’s requirements.

Eleanor Clauson

Eleanor, or Ellie or Nana, as she is known to her friends and family, has spent a lifetime of serving others. Nearly 80 years of thinking of others first, doing for others before she does for herself, doing without so others will have what they need is a remarkable way of life.

Ellie was a teacher and a vision therapist for many years in Phoenix, AZ. Not only did she work long days with children who needed all the support she could provide, she worked long into the night brailling, adapting and modifying the materials her students would need. She spent weekends at seminars and classes learning what her students needed in order to learn and purchased supplies they needed using her own money.

Since she was a child, Eleanor has spent countless hours volunteering at her church—donating items, organizing events, running the library, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She spent many hours as a member and president of League of Women Voters; she was a Brownie Scout leader; she worked to organize and support various Little League teams, and has served in all offices and on all committees of Delta Kappa Gamma for more than 20 years.

Cindy Rodarte Tenn

Cindy Rodarte Tenn truly embodies the passion and spirit of the Girl Scout program. She has been involved with Girl Scouting in the San Fernando Valley for many years, in various positions ranging from volunteer, leader of her own daughters’ troops, Board of Directors Chair, National Delegate to GSUSA ’s national conference, held every 3 years, and member of the Board of Director’s Nominating Committee. Throughout it all, she has performed her duties with an outstanding level of service and commitment.

Cindy has been a vital member of the “Come Fly with Us” gala committee, both in 2006 and in 2007. These black-tie fundraising events have become a vital revenue source for GSSFV, largely thanks to Cindy’s ready willingness to “roll up her sleeves” and take on an untold number of time-consuming event planning responsibilities.

Cindy’s dedication, generosity of spirit, enthusiasm, and graciousness demonstrate her commitment to the Girl Scout mission in all her interactions. She is a wonderful role model and advocate for the organization.

Mara Taylor

Mara has given almost 2,000 hours of volunteer service to OASIS Education Center since 1998. As a front desk receptionist, Mara greets community members as she assists them with registration for classes, answers questions about the program and generally makes the center a welcoming place to be.

She encourages newly widowed women to take that first step out and become an active volunteer so they can focus on something outside themselves. Mara serves on the Advisory Council and has taken leadership in the fund raising club which ensures ongoing financial support of the program.

In addition to working one day/week at OASIS, Mara also volunteers in the gift shop at the local hospital, supports families of surgery patients at the hospital short-stay unit, and volunteers at her church as well. The joy that Mara possesses cannot help but spill over to others. She gives of herself and encourages others to do the same.

Steven Tate

Steve Tate has been coming into the classroom for the past two years as a part of the Junior Achievement Program. His presence has impacted students in more ways the teachers and staff could have imagined when he began his service with the Junior Achievement Program. Steve brings his real world experiences into the classroom on a weekly basis, and it is an enormous contribution to Ravenwood High School.

As a local Allstate Agent, Steve’s industry knowledge and expertise have allowed him to be an effective educator in both the Business Economics and Marketing courses. Not only is he able to add the real life element to the lessons that is taught by staff, but he does so as if he were a certified teacher. Steve grabs the attention and respect of the students the moment he walks into the classroom, and he is able to do this because of his genuine interest in and respect for the students as individuals.

Steve not only asks questions as any “good” teacher would do, but he truly listens to and is intrigued by the answers the students give to those questions. Steve is not merely a guest speaker; he is an educator, and one with an enormous amount of enthusiasm and expertise. If it weren’t for Junior Achievement’s ability to find quality volunteers such as Steven Tate, students at Ravenwood High School would have missed out on a truly remarkable, first-hand learning opportunity. The Junior Achievement program has been an awesome addition to the classes that are taught and the teachers plan to continue taking advantage of all that it has to offer in years to come.

Jeff Stevens

Jeff Stevens has been a selfless volunteer through many years to help improve the City of Missoula, MT. In 1996, he was appointed by City Council to serve on the committee to organize Neighborhood Councils and has served in leadership positions on his Neighborhood Council since that time. He has worked tirelessly to secure many grants. He secured the funding for construction of playground equipment in a local park.

He initiated the establishment of the South Hills Trail System which consists of more than 10 interconnected bike/pedestrian trail routes that are designed to link all the neighborhoods, city parks, and schools in the South Hills area. There are more than 80 trail marker posts, 20 signs and numerous benches. Jeff even managed to secure an easement for one of the trails.

Jeff has volunteered for the Carousel for Missoula and has helped carve many horses through the years. He is currently serving his 2nd 3 year term on the Open Space Advisory Committee which advised City Government on open space issues.

Jeff has always embodied the spirit of dedication and volunteerism. One of his first positions was as an organizer of the Treasure State Charity Horse Show which was an annual 5 day event with the proceeds from the show being donated to the Humane Society. He continued volunteering his talents for this event for 10 years.

Jeff continues his unselfish dedication and service to the citizens of the state of Montana through his volunteer activities with the Missoula Police Anti-Graffiti Task Force. This program has set the standard in quick response to graffiti sites and eradication of unsightly graffiti.

For many people, often times the elderly, the service has been the only means of dealing with graffiti on their homes or businesses. The immediate eradication of unsightly graffiti helps quell the fears that graffiti can instill in the community. Jeff has coordinated with officers in the Crime Prevention Department to keep the Anti-Graffiti Task Force to keep the city free of this vandalism. The Missoula PD salutes you!

Rick Selwood & Tucker

This is the story of Tucker and ‘Grace’ (not her real name).

“Grace had recently been moved to a new assisted-care facility. During Grace’s first week in residence, she was very depressed and kept to herself in her room. No one was allowed to enter her room. When we first tried to visit with Grace, our knock on the door was answered with a resounding “Go Away”. The second week we were a little more persistent, informing Grace that there was a dog to visit her, which she was thrilled about.

As the weeks continued, Grace started to look forward to Tucker’s visits. She even started leaving notes on her door that read “Please do not disturb, except for Tucker.” Grace even started to leave her room, and wait for Tucker in the common areas, mingling and chatting with other residents. Grace also suffered from a progressive disorder of the eyes that was causing her to lose her vision. But Grace appreciated and enjoyed having a furry face and warm nose to snuggle. This way she could use her hands and sense of touch to enjoy her visits. Tucker also encouraged Grace to talk about her very interesting life, which included several expeditions around the world with her husband, as well as to remember the good times, and not dwell on the things that were causing her sadness.”

Kathy O’Brien-Burke

The Museum of Natural History & Science at Cincinnati Museum Center has a special area for visitors ages 5 and under. This special place is called Preschool Sandplay. Kathy O’Brien-Burke is a dedicated volunteer with the museum.

Kathy is a retired school teacher who spends every Wednesday knee-deep in sand. Kathy greets each young visitor that enters with a smile and will join them in the super-sized sandbox. For those families who visit frequently, Kathy greets each of the children by name. Some families say that they return week after week just to see Ms. Kathy.

On the Wednesdays when they have programs in Sandplay, Kathy can be seen singing, dancing or back in the sand for Kids Dig where little ones learn about excavation and the rewarding artifacts that they can find in the sand. She is a pleasure to work with and she makes those around her smile.