Bert Benedick

The Albuquerque Reads is a volunteer program which is sponsored by the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Albuquerque School System. This program was formed four years ago to improve the reading grade level of kindergarten school children. Prior to the start of the program, only 30% of the children going into first grade in the three programmed elementary schools tested at a first grade reading level. In 2007 this level reached 70% in the programmed schools. Bert has been a volunteer tutor working with these children to improve their reading, writing, and comprehension levels for the past three years. The ABQ Reads program is partially responsible for this reading level improvement; and the volunteer tutors, such as Bert, shine in this achievement.

The RSVP (Retired Seniors and Volunteers Program) Advisory Council works with the City of Albuquerque to facilitate volunteer programs, which serve seniors and others in the need. Bert was President of the council for three years and presently serves as an active member of the RSVP Team. He is also a volunteer serving the community in many capacities. The RSVP Advisory Council is involved in Senior Volunteer Appreciation Programs as well as securing monetary gifts for food and other necessary items during the holidays for the needy.

The Albuquerque AARP Community Council and the Albuquerque AARP Information Center were formed to help seniors find information and create action to solve senior’s problems. Bert has been the volunteer President of the Council for several years. This Council provides a discussion platform for the various working groups within AARP New Mexico. Bert has worked in the Information Center for the past six-seven years as a volunteer representative answering senior questions involving: Parenting of small children by grandparents, Social Security, Reverse Mortgages, Caregivers, Medicare, Prescription Drug coverage, Consumer Protection etc. Bert also is active in representing AARP at the State Fair and Health Fairs throughout the City.

The American Cancer Society has operated a fund raising event called The Relay for Life for the past twenty-plus years in the United States and in the State of New Mexico since 1994. Bert served as the first Relay for Life salaried director for the State and later as volunteer chairperson, Team captain, and Team member for consecutive years to the present time. He was involved with the first relay in this State as Volunteer Team Coordinator, and continues to this date to manage a Relay Team. Today the Relay is the major Team fund dollar event in the State and serves as a valued monetary and awareness program for the American Cancer Society throughout the United States. The money through this event has benefited untold thousands of cancer patients and cancer survivors throughout this State and the United States. It is of particular value because it provides an avenue for cancer survivors to celebrate their life.

Bert’s involvement in each of the above programs encourages others in the community to work on the various program goals and join him in a Team for achievement. He successfully serves as an example of action management and action membership.

Rosa Griffith

Many of us make promises to God in times of crisis. But how many of us actually keep those promises? Look no further than 79-year old Rosa Griffith. In 1989 her husband died and in 2000 she suffered a stroke. During her rehabilitation, Rosa promised God that when she got better, she would visit people in nursing homes.

She wasted no time. As soon as she could in 2005, Rosa began volunteering at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital. She still needs a four-prong cane to get around and relies on public transportation to get to and from Levindale, but she never misses a Wednesday visit. Many people her age are deterred by bad weather, but not Rosa. Shortly after Rosa started coming to Levindale, a 292-bed nursing home and specialty hospital to visit residents, she met a young man who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was bitter and mean to the people closest to him. Rosa spent a lot of time helping him come to terms with his situation. She promised him that as long as she was able, she would always visit him. He has since moved to a new location and she still visits him every Friday. Rosa is kind and compassionate, but truthful. She doesn’t give people false hope nor is she condescending. She is truly comforting and very humble.

Before Rosa completed her first year at Levindale, she was asked if she would be interested in hospice care. Hospice volunteers visit the nursing home residents who have less than six months to live. It requires additional training and is often difficult for volunteers. Rosa embraced the idea.

After her training, the staff expected Rosa to continue coming to Levindale on Wednesday afternoons to be with the hospice patients, instead of her usual residents. However, Rosa now arrives at 9 a.m. so she can continue seeing the 20-plus residents with whom she had already established relationships. In her own words, she could not let down the people who were expecting her. In addition, she now has a caseload of 14 hospice patients.

Recently a hospice nurse said that Rosa’s most extraordinary talent is her ability to just be with a person. Hospice patients are often unresponsive, so Rosa reads poetry (which she does with the help of a magnifying glass) or the Bible to them. She just wants patients to know that another person cares.

Everyone looks forward to seeing Rosa on Wednesdays, not only the residents but the staff and other volunteers. So far, Rosa has spent over 500 hours volunteering at Levindale and she makes the most of every minute that she is here.

John P. Murphy Jr.

John is of Commander Post 259 and Bugles Across America State Coordinator Authorized Provider AP34 Department of Defense is mainly organizes and trains buglers in all aspects of Honors Military Police and Firemen. John has been doing this for at least five years. John performs in about 20 funeral services a month and coordinates at least another 15 services a month. This may mean that he is playing, or firing, flag folding, arranging pall bearers, chaplains, etc. He also trains Boy and Girl Scouts in all aspects of Bugling and military honors.

With so many service people from WWII, Vietnam and Iraq dying every day along with police and firemen, John tries to make sure that they get the honors that are due to them. In doing so he travels more than 25,000 miles a year as a volunteer. John started a program in Florida to train and qualify individuals on all aspects of honors. He spends many hours outside of the services training himself and many others.

John also has done a number of other volunteer activities with KIA Families and the families of deployed soldiers. He worked on Katrina relief getting four truckloads of goods to Mobile, AL.

Due to the troops being deployed the Department of Defense recognized the shortage of qualified individuals to perform military honors and taps at funerals. John has stepped up to not only help fill that need when he can but to also train others. He was the first civilian bugler to play at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington’s National Cemetery and the WWI Dedication as well. The great demand of’ WWII veterans dying every day and the nature of what he does is depressing and takes a lot of time and money; and yet he never wavers. He gets involved in every aspect and still has time for his family and American Legion.

Edgewater Public Parent Teacher Association

As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child while providing the best tools for parents to help their children be successful students. National PTA does not act alone. Working in cooperation with many national education, health, safety, and child advocacy groups and federal agencies, National PTA collaborates on projects that benefit children and that bring valuable resources to its members.

The Edgewater Public PTA Board spends many hours planning and working events for the students and families at Edgewater Public Schools. They also raise money for the classrooms to help provide materials that are not covered in the budget. They host a free Family Fun Night monthly for all the students and their families. Each new school year they eagerly greet each student with a new Bobcat T-shirt, folder and book bag to begin the New Year. They provide new clothing and school supplies for students in need of them. They are always willing to help out in any way that they can.

The PTA Board has increased the quality of life at Edgewater Public and its surrounding community. They have created an atmosphere where the students and their families can feel safe and comfortable. The board has helped the parents become very actively involved in their children’s education. The surrounding community has come to recognize the school as a place where children and their families are loved, cared for, and cherished.

The 2006-2007 PTA Board members are the creators of the Family Fun Nights. They do all of the planning and raise the money for the funding of each event. Every board member and their families can be found at each event working hard to ensure its success. Many board members are involved in other volunteer activities as well including Vietnam Veteran’s group, Cub Scouts, youth athletics and more.

Carol Thomka

The 2000 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey contained some alarming information about Lee County. The average age that Lee County children begin to use marijuana is 11.9 years and the average age that Lee County children begin to drink at least once a month is 12.3. In addition, 8% of Lee County 10-13 year olds report being drunk or high at school within the last 30 days. Since its formation in 1989, the Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida has been working to change these statistics through education and a series of large, community wide initiatives.

Carol Thomka has been involved in almost every initiative of the Coalition. She has served as secretary of the Board of Directors. She has also been a direct service volunteer at the annual Drug House Odyssey, a realistic walk-through reenactment of the tragic results of drinking and driving that is attended by 3,600 people, including almost every eighth grader in Lee County. Carol has also been a participant in the annual televised Town Hall meeting, The Sobering Truth-Underage Drinking, which is viewed by 50,000 across the state. She has been a direct service volunteer at the annual Conference on Addictive Disorders, a major force in coordinating the “Click for Kids” online fundraiser and has acted as the volunteer coordinator on many occasions.

The Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida is privileged to have over 113 community partners from education, law enforcement, government, other nonprofit agencies and businesses working with towards their mission to help the children of Lee County live drug-free lives. As a Board member, the Click for Kids Coordinator and in her capacity as unpaid volunteer coordinator, Carol has interacted with these groups and brought them together on behalf of the Coalition.

Carol Thomka continues to give her time to the Coalition. While no longer an active board member, she continues to give her time as a volunteer for the Annual Prevention Conference, our Drug House Odyssey, and wherever else she is needed. According to the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey in 2006, cigarette use dropped from 21% in 2000 to 13.9% in 2006. Marijuana use declined from 15.6%, and use of “hard” drugs steroids, and club drugs dropped to less than 1%. Without the work of volunteers like Carol, the work behind these statistics would not be possible. Carol Thomka has coordinated a number of innovative programs for the Coalition. Most recently, she coordinated the solicitation of donations for the Coalition’s online auction program. WINK-TV featured the Coalition’s E-Bay sales program on its news program as an example of innovative fund raising by a non-profit. This was directly due to Carol’s countless volunteer service hours.

Colene Burns

Colene Burns, a twenty-three year-old graduate student, hopes to have an exciting career as a financial executive in corporate America. Her most distinctive quality, however, is her commitment to promoting the benefits of volunteerism. A majority of America’s existing problems are remedied by a strong network of volunteers. Colene has made it her priority to convince others that volunteerism is necessary to ensure the continued existence of crucial services for our nation. Colene is truly a lifelong volunteer. Her community service began at age nine and continued in middle school as the pianist for a monthly nursing home program. During her junior year of high school, she began publishing a monthly newsletter in hopes of educating her hometown about local volunteer activities.

Colene has a passion for work with children, and she believes they are an untapped volunteer resource. In hopes of molding the community leaders of tomorrow, she founded Community Youth League (CYL) in 2003. Today, CYL Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to educating students about community service. Since its inception, CYL has impacted over 3000 students. In an effort to utilize the caring hearts and volunteer capacity of children, Colene has dedicated over 3500 hours of community service. Colene serves as a guest speaker at community events throughout North Alabama educating citizens about the benefits of volunteerism and promoting CYL and Youth Service America. Over the past five years, Colene has implemented CYL in schools throughout Alabama. CYL has grown to encompass various programs including the Blount County CYL Essay Contest and Youth Workshop, the Shoals CYL Essay Contest and Youth Workshop, the CYL Mentors, and the CYL Classroom Project.

CYL essay contests allow children to explore ways to help their communities. Colene loves to see the children’s excited faces when they receive recognition for their hard work. Since Colene believes children learn from hands-on experiences, she hosts an annual CYL Youth Workshop for students. Colene received grant funding from the Leading Edge Institute for the creation of the CYL Youth Workshop. The CYL Mentors recognize high school students who serve as community role models for their younger counterparts. Through the CYL Classroom Project, students unite to participate in service projects to benefit a worthy cause.

Colene has recently submitted a bill proposing the creation of the Alabama High School Diploma with Service Endorsement for consideration by state representatives. Colene promotes CYL as her platform for the Miss Alabama Organization. As a result of the Miss America Organization’s partnership with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), Burns has created meaningful fundraising projects to benefit CMN.

Colene’s tireless efforts were recognized by her receipt of the Gold Level Presidential Community Service Award. She was a 2007 finalist for the Miss Alabama Community Service Award and received the University of North Alabama’s Undergraduate Service Award. Colene displays a unique passion for helping others and is a refreshing reminder of the power possessed by young Americans. She truly exhibits a vision for her community and is committed to convincing each student to become a volunteer for life.

John Triffiletti

Following an airplane crash in September 2000, John Trifiletti suffered a spinal cord injury, paralyzing his legs. It was a turning point for both him and his wife Diane, also injured in the crash. They are convinced that only “divine intervention” saved them from death. Despite confinement to a wheelchair, John refuses to let it slow him down. Married 33 years and the father of two wonderful children, John never stopped working hard, even after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. In addition to his full-time position as Instructional Program Manager of Computer Information Systems at Florida Community College at Jacksonville, John volunteers countless hours helping others in need. “Each year seems to get busier,” says John, “Helping others is a sacrifice of time, resources, and energy; but the rewards are the smiles, warm handshakes, and seeing the success of those I have helped.”

For the past four years, John has served on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan, an all-volunteer 501c3 foundation that was established to meet the health and educational needs of the Lost Boys o Sudan. John’s efforts have been a key to the organization’s success. He has played a major role in helping the organization to obtain grants and scholarships for the Lost Boys, including a $30,000 grant he recently proposed and was awarded from Florida Community College Foundation. This grant will allow countless Lost Boys and Girls to receive a college education. In addition, John is a mentor for many of the Sudanese students, helping them with various tasks such as filling out financial forms, course studies, computer questions and repairs, and life in general. He is a constant means of support and guidance to these incredible young refugees as they struggle to adjust and succeed in their new lives in America.

In addition to his efforts on behalf of the Alliance, John serves on the Board of Directors for five other nonprofit organizations, including Jacksonville Sister Cities Association (JSCA), Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC), John recently helped plan the state sponsored Emergency Preparedness Conference for Persons with Disabilities. He has arranged cultural, educational, political, and student exchanges between Jacksonville and its first Sister City, Bahia Blanca, Argentina for many years.

John recently chaired JSCA’s fundraising efforts to purchase 40 wheelchairs for disabled individuals in Bahia Blanca, and led a humanitarian delegation to Bahia Blanca last July to deliver the wheelchairs. His speech at the ceremony, attended by their mayor, brought the recipients and their agency representatives to tears. He continues to raise funds for the remaining 67 individuals still in need of wheelchairs. John is also the founder of North Florida Oracle Users Group, a professional association for students and computer industry professionals that allows students the opportunity of meeting and learning from computer professionals and potential employers.

In John’s words, “life is all about helping others.” In his spare time, John enjoys making beautiful bowls, pens, and bottle stoppers from exotic woods from around the world, much of which he uses to raise funds for his numerous charitable causes. His unique woodwork has been featured in American Woodworker magazine.

Margaret Deoliveira

As a student athlete, the most important issue in our world today is obesity. One program may not change a world-wide epidemic, but it may help one child and that person could help another.

Sports has always been an important part of Margaret’s life, so she turned to sports to help address this issue. At an early age, Margaret learned that soccer is not just a sport where you kick a ball and run up and down the field. Soccer is also a means of teaching self-discipline, team work and how to deal with defeat. The main pleasure of soccer and sports in general are individuals becoming one, defensive lines soaring together and victory.

Margaret created a program that is simple, yet efficient. Her program encourages kids that have been blessed with a lot of sports equipment to donate to kids who do not have equipment. She also contacts local sports teams such as the Somerset Patriots and collects equipment at their games. She will also be holding a mini two-day camp in her town of Berkeley Heights. The admission price of the camp would be either new or gently used sports equipment. It could be anything from a soccer ball to roller blades. In return for their generous gifts, the children will learn about sports and nutrition during the two days of camp.

Margaret will then take the donated equipment to another town and hold another two day camp. The camp will be free, and the children that attend will receive sporting equipment for coming to the camp. This way, children are helping children indirectly. Margaret likes the idea of those being helped, then taking the opportunity to help someone else. This way, the children will remember it and hopefully continue to do the same into adulthood.

Patty Avery

Many successful people can point to one life-changing event. Patty Avery can point to two.

The first was in grade school, when a teacher told Patty and her classmates they had a responsibility to share their gifts. For Patty, the message resonated. Aided by what she calls “a risk taking gene,” she went on to spend 15 years as a missionary, co-founding a home for teenage street girls in São Paulo, Brazil.

The second experience took place after she returned to her home state of Indiana and moved to Evansville in 1999. She attended a speech by then First Lady of Indiana Judy O’Bannon and was moved by the message. “Mrs. O’Bannon’s vision of volunteerism challenged me to uncover my best gifts and put them to work here at home,” Patty said, “It started me on a new path of service.”

Today Patty stands as one of Indiana’s most dedicated volunteers. She helped found and is event director of Girls in Bloom, an annual event to help 5th through 8th grade girls in the Evansville area build healthy self-esteem through the arts. Patty also co-chairs the Vanderburgh County Homeless Youth Council, which led the way in asking the state to consider legislation to improve access to services for homeless and foster youth.

With over 400 hours of volunteer service in 2007 alone, Patty’s commitment to service is truly remarkable. Active in the fight against cancer through The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, she also serves as Indiana’s lead ambassador for the ACS’ sister advocacy organization, The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. She also assists a local effort supporting organizations working with families and individuals impacted by AIDS

“I don’t recharge my batteries by watching TV,” she explained. “I recharge by working with other people to end homelessness, by striving to create a brighter future for young girls. Making a difference in my community is such a privilege, and that energizes me.”

Cynthia Smith, director of Evansville’s Youth Service Bureau, is Patty’s co-chair on the Homeless Youth Council. She says she draws inspiration from Patty’s “wealth of energy.” “Patty has inspired me and taught me so much, both personally and professionally,” she said. “She’s the connector – the one who helps pull together people who want to make a difference.”

Old National Bancorp President and CEO Bob Jones echoes Cynthia’s sentiments. “Patty embodies the true meaning and spirit of our company values,” he said. “She has embraced our legacy of community leadership and written her own amazing and inspiring chapter.

Maria DeOliveira

The Congressional Award recognizes young people between the ages of 14 and 23 who set and achieve personally challenging goals in four areas. To earn the Silver Medal, a participant must contribute a minimum of 200 hours of service to his or her community, spend an additional 200 hours working toward personal development and physical fitness goals and undertake an expedition/exploration activity of at least four consecutive overnights.

Maria DeOliveira has earned The Congressional Award Silver Medal—the United States Congress’ highest award for youth. Maria is one of only 309 Silver Medalists out of over 2900 active participants in the state of New Jersey, which has the largest number of participants in the nation. Maria also joins the prestigious ranks of fellow nationwide Silver Medal recipients. Her work exemplifies the spirit of the Congressional Award: service to others; personal development; initiative and achievement.

Maria has a willingness to give of herself to voluntarily help others in her community. She excels in whatever activities she pursues, having demonstrated valuable goal setting and achieving skills. Maria has participated in numerous charity events throughout the year. Ursinus College is a small liberal arts school situated outside of Philadelphia; Maria works as a Resident Advisor, to help build strong, safe, healthy communities. Maria also serves as an English as a second language tutor for the custodial staff at Ursinus College. This is important to her because her grandparents immigrated to the United States from Portugal and did not speak any English. They had to learn English from other people.

During the fall semester Maria enrolled in a Management class. Part of the class requirement included creating a non-profit organization to raise money for an underprivileged high school student. Maria did that for her class; however, she also held several raffle drawings, solicited donations from local stores, and worked closely within the community to generate donations.

In addition, she is involved in the annual Relay For Life event at Ursinus. This provides an opportunity to work with a team to develop, organize, and execute a successful event. She has served as a committee chair for the last three years. Last year’s Relay raised over $39,000 and was recognized as the “Number One per capita college under 9,999 students,” at the Youth Summit for colleges and high schools. She has already had several meetings to plan this year’s Relay for Life and is so excited for the 2008 event!