Beverly Wittenborn

Beverly Wittenborn began her career in community service as Junior Service league Provisional Member more than 28 years ago. She served in a number of administrative positions with that organization, including the presidency, and is now a member of the Sustainers, or senior members of that organization. She has no perceived notion of what volunteerism should be, other than to reach out and serve by chairing philanthropic events for the Chamber Foundation, Rotary, Optimists and others. She organized the Omelet Fest concept and has used her talents to help raise funds for individuals in need or just providing a special event to honor groups such as “Push America.”

Beverly served on the City Council for two-terms and has helped guide the City of Olathe to be a City of Character. She is a great leader and mentor. When there is a community need, Beverly is involved. She helped chair special events for the city’s 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration, serves on the Mahaffie Farm and Stagecoach Stop Board, preserving the history and heritage of the community. She helped develop the Sister Cities Agreement with Ocotlan, Jalisco Mexico and is an excellent ambassador for the city. Beverly reaches out to all members of the community in an effort to insure that Olathe and its citizens have a great Quality of Life, even while experiencing phenomenal growth.

Beverly’s commitment to the community is through her outreach in public service, leadership in civic organizations, helping meet the needs of individuals who are experiencing catastrophic events, raising scholarships and support for community foundations and events. Where ever there is a need, you will find Beverly working to help fill that need!

Beverly is a friend to everyone in the community, having given of herself in an earnest effort to simply “love her community.” Many organizations and boards seek her membership due to her reputation as a genuinely good leader and person.

Nicholas Skerven

The Holler Park Pavilion project involved removing years of grime from the first floor and renovating the kitchen with new flooring, cabinets, counter tops, sink and appliances. Nick developed a comprehensive project plan workbook with design layouts, recommended materials, supply and tool lists and costs. In addition, he raised funds, obtained all the necessary supplies and coordinated the participating volunteers. Nick demonstrated his great attention to detail and managed every aspect of the project, which involved 500 total volunteer hours and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Easter Seals Kindcare provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

The Pavilion, previously a site for Easter Seals Kindcare programs, had not been used since 2002 and had fallen into disrepair.

Last year Nick was in 8th grade and looking for a very special Eagle Scout project. He wanted to tackle something much larger than what would satisfy his Boy Scout Eagle Service requirements. In his dream of going above and beyond, he chose to lead the restoration of the interior of the 75 year-old Holler Park Pavilion. Thanks to Nick Skerven’s achievement, today people with disabilities attend Kindcare programs in the Pavilion once again, and it has become a focal point for the neighborhood association. In addition, Nick was chosen as the 2008 Inspire by Example Youth Award winner and was honored at the 2008 Volunteer Celebration celebrating the spirit of volunteerism in Milwaukee County.

Luanne Townsend

Luanne Townsend has been a volunteer at Nashville Memorial Hospital, now Skyline Medical Center for thirty-eight years, providing more than 26,000 hours working in the gift shop, most of those years as the primary buyer.

The gift shop is the primary funding source for all the patient, family and community projects and Luanne approaches her job with the same dedication as a direct patient care volunteer. Her personal mission is to ensure that Skyline Gift Shoppe is the best hospital gift shop in the state and she always looks for ways to increase the profit margin and better meet the needs of the patients we serve.

Luanne has a sincere interest in people and their needs. She goes out of her way to ask their needs and meet those requests. She is a wonderful spokesperson and representative for the volunteer auxiliary, both in the hospital and in the community. In these past seven years she has dealt with cancer, suffered a fall while at the hospital that resulted in two broken knees and experienced a number of family losses. Yet, her dedication to the hospital and her community is the element which sustains her and helps her grow as an individual and a volunteer.

Luanne has spunk, spirit and a giving heart. She represents the philosophy of service without desire for recognition. She has provided year after year of dedicated service to the hospital staff as well as the patients and their families.

Stefanie Sunderland

Stefanie, a longtime resident of the Cincinnati Northside neighborhood, has been a volunteer and activist for many years.

As one of the founding community leaders of the Coalition Against the Colerain Connector, a visionary effort to prevent construction of a 40 year-old highway project in Northside and reclaim the 30 acres of land from the Ohio Department of Transportation for community use, Stefanie’s persistent work was key to gaining support from government officials that led to the defeat of the Colerain Connector Project and agreement to allow the land to return to the community. Through the award of a $123,000 grant she wrote to create Badgeley Run Park, she worked intimately with the Cincinnati Park Board to transform 10 of the acres, a 50 year-old illegal dump site, into a beautiful park.

Stefanie has served on the Northside Community Council and headed up the Council’s litter affiliate, organized numerous comprehensive street sweeps, served as the coordinator for Make A Difference Day and founded the organization’s Housing Committee to address the issues of blight, absentee landlords and sub-standard rental conditions.

She works tirelessly to report graffiti, illegal dumping, litter and other code violations as well as teach others how to do the same. Stefanie helped establish the Northside Court Watch, which has become a paradigm of community input and tracking in the legal process for crimes committed in the community and was among the first residents to participate in the Northside Citizens On Patrol, a group of trained volunteers who work closely with the police and citizens to report crime and other dangerous situations they observe happening in the community. Stefanie is also a member of the Community Problem Oriented Policing Team.

Stefanie has also been involved as a volunteer with Northside Greenspace, Inc. for many years on a variety of projects that range from serving as the neighborhood coordinator for the City’s Fall ReLeaf program, planting trees in community public spaces, securing grant funds that enabled the community to add hundreds of street trees and allowed Stefanie to transform several blighted, vacant lots into neighborhood parks; the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Park, Elmore Gateway Garden and the Dooley By-Pass Entry.

Additionally, Stefanie is involved with the Multi-Neighborhood Housing Task Force, a coalition of ten city neighborhoods that works with City and State officials to establish Ordinances intended to eliminate blighted housing conditions, protect tenants and homeowners and prosecutes those involved in criminal investment activities.

In 2005, Stefanie founded the Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CNCURC), a non-profit, volunteer organization created to reverse the housing decline caused by the horrendous increase in foreclosures, vacancies and associated crime by increasing homeownership, and serves as the organization’s current president. To date CNCURC has built and sold two silver certified Leadership in Energy and Environmentally Design (LEED) homes, is rehabilitating four historic homes as single-family homeownership units to “green” standards, is responsible for demolition of seven derelict buildings and, most importantly, responsible for closing a corner grocery store that served as the hub for illegal drug sales.

Stefanie does not give up. She believes we can always make a positive from a negative and it is evident in her service. In addition, most people utilize their extra time for personal interests; however, Stefanie is a glowing example of someone using one of their most precious commodities for the benefit of others.

Betty Smith

“If a person is in need and calls me, I will be there,” is a volunteer commitment that Betty Smith made and has kept for over 18 years.

Since retiring in 1989 from her job as an office manager, Betty, now 83, has spent thousands of hours giving to many senior citizen community programs such as: RSVP of Duval County, Jacksonville-Duval County Council on Elder Affairs, Club FAVOR, Independent Living Program, Foster Grandparent Program, Community and Senior Center Program and the Mayor’s Special Events such as the Fish-a-Thon, Holiday Festival and Senior Prom.

Betty also volunteered for nonprofit agencies for people of all ages that included: Junior Achievement, American Lung Association, The Arthritis Foundation, Guardian Ad Litem, Prevent Blindness, The Salvation Army, Dreams Come True, I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Taylor Home, City Rescue Mission, Pace Center for Girls, Children’s Home Society and the Museum of Science and History.

Betty has a special passion for being an ambassador for seniors. She has tirelessly cultivated relationships in the business community, increasing their awareness of the positive and vital role that seniors play and soliciting donations and contributions. As a result of her tenacious spirit, hundreds of seniors have received valuable door prizes from Wal-Mart, one of her biggest supporters, and other businesses, and thousands of dollars have been given to help agencies improve the quality of life for Jacksonville’s seniors.

All of Betty’s enthusiasm and vitality to this cause create a magical holiday spirit of giving year-round that benefits so many worthy seniors. Betty’s commitment speaks volumes about her love of people and her tireless and selfless devotion to volunteering.

Robert Simon

Robert Simon first came to the Kings County Commission on Aging Adult Day Care in Hanford, CA to request respite for himself. His wife of 40 years had developed Alzheimer’s and his life had changed dramatically after all those years. He needed time away and help to understand this disease. Robert used the Adult Day Care services until his wife could no longer live with him at home and it became necessary to place her in a full time care facility.

His wife’s departure from the Adult Day Care did not also mean his own. Robert stayed on to become the most dedicated and valued volunteer in the program.

Now Robert spends 8 hours every day at the day care helping with the care for other dementia patients. The director of this program says he has become indispensable to the Adult Day Care program. They can depend on Robert to help with the patients and do everything else that it takes to keep the doors open.

Robert runs errands, does the gardening, plans for events and has a smile ready for everyone.

Robert is a quiet man who has turned his pain into an asset for a growing need in his community. He has dedicated his life to helping those with dementia and the organization that provides senior services to his community.

Jo Sanders

On July 5, 1965, Nashville Memorial Hospital opened its doors to the community. The Women’s Auxiliary had already been functional for over three years and volunteers had been instrumental in fundraising for the future facility. Jo Sanders had been actively involved this fund raising for the new hospital, though not officially a member of the Auxiliary until October 10, 1965. She remains an active volunteer of what is now Skyline Medical Center after forty-two years. During those years she has contributed over 15,000 hours of service while serving as a loyal supporter of the hospital, the auxiliary, and the patients. Her contributions to the hospital are unparalleled and the value of her time, efforts and positive influence in the community on behalf of both Memorial and Skyline Medical Center cannot be calculated.

Job assignments as a hospital volunteer have ranged from taking the gift cart to patient rooms, to serving as a lab runner, a clerk in the auxiliary run Gift Shop/Snack Bar, an assistant in the business office, and in the admitting office. She was the visual merchandiser for the Gift Shop for many years and has supervised the committee that decorates the hospital at Christmas for more than fifteen years. For the past twenty-eight years she has worked in the main lobby providing patient information to visitors and families. Whatever role she assumes, Jo does so with a smile and sympathetic ear and with the intent on providing superior customer service for the patients and their families.

Jo accepted her first leadership role only months after joining the auxiliary. She agreed to accept a position on the committee for the Spring Benefit in March of 1966 as the Chair for Decorations and Menus. She has chaired or served on many other committees, most recently chairing the Dinner for Scholarships Gala in September 2005. With each role her energy and enthusiasm have never wavered.

Jo also served on, chaired and co-chaired two of the largest and most successful fundraising benefits in the history of the hospital, “Cain-Sloan Day” and the “Harvest Ball.” Monies raised from these endeavors allowed the auxiliary to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the retirement of the hospital debt. With the debt retired, Jo and other members of the Auxiliary continued to raise funds for hospital expansions and improvements, equipment, decorations, etc. until HCA purchased the hospital in 1994. As the Auxiliary became a 501c-3, not-for-profit organization, funds have since been directed toward patient, family and community projects. The latest of the projects, the establishment of scholarships for graduating high school seniors who wish to pursue further studies of a medical nature, is one Jo most vigorously endeavors.

With the exception of one term Jo has continuously served on the Executive Board of the Auxiliary since 1968. She has held positions from member-at-large to president. She has been the parliamentarian, the corresponding secretary, the secretary for six, two-year terms, 1st vice president and was elected president in 1982-84. During the following two years she remained on the board in an advisory capacity as immediate past-president.

Her peers hold Jo in the highest esteem. Her total involvement, dedication and commitment, her loyalty, courtesy and compassion to patients, families, employees and fellow volunteers earned her the coveted “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1988. On November 15, 1995, she was recognized once again by her peers with a nomination for a special award by the Nashville Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. She was honored at their “Spirit of Giving Luncheon,” The NSFRE chapter annually uses this venue to honor those who give and the volunteers whose extraordinary contributions of time and resources to the community exemplify the true meaning of philanthropy. In 2005 she was recognized at the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony of the Skyline Auxiliary for forty years of continuous service.

Jo always represents Skyline Medical Center in the most positive manner throughout the community, whether attending Legislation Day, Council of Volunteers’ Regional Meetings, Leadership Meetings, THA State Conferences and AHA National Conferences. Her active works at the local, regional, state and national levels of hospital support organizations have earned her the respect of members from other hospitals and organizations. This respect is clearly evidenced in the warm reception she receives when attending these functions and their encouragement to further assume leadership roles.

Jo Sanders’ community commitment is not limited to hospital volunteer work. She is a Trustee of Goodlettsville Connell Methodist Church where she and her family have been active members since 1965. In 1996 the Goodlettsville Chamber of Commerce recognized her with an Award of Merit. Also, since its establishment in May of 1994, Ms. Sanders has been a member of the Memorial Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation was established from the earnings of the sale of Nashville Memorial Hospital to HCA to support the community and area charities. Its board is comprised of members representing a cross section of community interests from different geographic areas of middle Tennessee. As an active and long-time member of the Auxiliary and former President, Jo continues to represent the volunteer interests.

Jo is a loving wife, mother, grandmother, a devoted church member, hospital and community volunteer. The length of service to both Nashville Memorial Hospital and now Skyline Medical Center and the Auxiliary evidences her commitment to volunteerism. She truly is representative of the values of the consummate volunteer.

Edna Mae Rose

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is a not for profit volunteer program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, locally sponsored by Salt Lake County Aging Services. RSVP helps volunteers age 55 and older find volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations throughout Salt Lake County.

Seventy-nine year old Edna Mae Rose is an RSVP volunteer at the Family Support Center. She has volunteered in their crisis nursery for the past two and a half years, giving 543 hours in the last twelve months. The mission of the Family Support Center is to protect children, strengthen families and prevent child abuse.

When various stressors are present, children often become targets for their parents’ misdirected frustration, anger, and worry. Instead of acting out on their children, parents can take them to the safe, nurturing care of the Family Support Center Crisis Nursery.

These children need positive role models, an understanding of their self-worth and their place in the world. Edna helps to meet critical emotional needs through individual attention and mentoring. This is where Edna shines, she helps children to overcome and cope with whatever form of crisis their family currently faces. She provides a safe haven of caring for these children. She is often seen reading to the children, singing with them and telling stories, always lifting the hearts of the children, struggling parents and staff. “We enjoy sharing each day with Edna and look forward with excitement to the peace and joy she brings with her”, says Family Support Center Assistant Nursery Director, Melissa McKendrick

Edna has provided loving care to more than 300 children in the past year. She is a constant reminder of the great things in life and always extends herself to serve others and share joy. Her life is full of experiences and lessons which she shares with true compassion and hope. Her smile is bright and her eyes full of love. Indeed, each interaction with Edna provides a multitude of opportunities to go forth a better person.

She cares deeply for the youth and believes if they know someone cares enough to give them a chance they will excel in their own right, and someday, maybe give back to someone else that needs a kind heart and a helping hand. She truly has a heart of gold.

Roy Rockhold

Roy Rockholt, a retired senior volunteer from Porterville, CA, conceived, organized and put into motion a daily free lunch program in his community of 50,000.

The program under his daily supervision serves over 3,500 free meals a month with the help of local volunteers. The program has been run out of local churches but as of August 2007 Helping Hands now serves out of a new building constructed especially for this purpose.

Roy fund-raised over $300,000 and collaborated with a local church to make possible this location for serving homeless and families in poverty. Roy finds food and supplies to feed the poor through donations and superb resourcefulness. He puts thousands of miles on his PT Cruiser tapping the community for the poor.

Roy has a heart for the poor. He has put together a well-conceived, well-organized program for the less fortunate and mostly shunned people in this community. His willingness to serve and share his time works well together with his resourcefulness and bold approach to those who can help. Roy impacts the community of Porterville daily by feeding and making welcome the hungry. He has also made his community aware of the needs of the poor and homeless. His influence runs from the Board of Supervisors and the City Council to volunteers willing to serve.

He has found a way to meet a need by pulling together an entire community and he expects to sustain this effort for a long time to come.

Shalondria Wardlow

Ms. Wardlow is an employee of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Lompoc, CA. She is the epitome of a true volunteer as she continually volunteers in many different arenas, both at work and at home.

She has been involved with the Affirmative Action Committee as the Black Affairs Program Manager, a collateral duty, since 2004 at FCC Lompoc. During her tenure as Black Affairs Manager, she has been a key player in the success of the current FCC Lompoc Affirmative Action Committee. Her dedication and professionalism to the program are beyond reproach.

Ms. Wardlow was instrumental in developing and organizing the gathering of Christmas gifts for needy children in our annual “Angel Tree” program. As a result of her dedication and positive attitude, she was able to collect gifts from staff for over 50 children in our local community. Ms. Wardlow also implemented, organized, and coordinated the donations of 27 backpacks filled with school supplies for a local homeless shelter for children. As a result of the overwhelming response to her request, there was additional school supplies donated.

Ms. Wardlow has worked closely with Catholic Charities, an organization that assists local food pantries in providing food for the low income and homeless. She held a food drive and was responsible for collecting over 500 pounds of food for the local food pantry.

During the holiday season, Ms. Wardlow was responsible for collecting food items to make Thanksgiving meals for the local women’s shelter. There was enough food to make meals for the families who resided there.

Ms. Wardlow has been deeply involved with the Lompoc Police Activities League (PAL). PAL is an organization that provides programs for children to help keep them off the streets and out of trouble. She is currently a board member on this committee and has developed a strong relationship with PAL. She has raised over $3,000 for this organization by volunteering at their bar-b-ques, boxing tournaments, and fishing derbies. All proceeds for these fundraisers went to the various programs to help the children in our local community.

Due to Ms. Wardlow’s dedication to the Affirmative Action program at FCC Lompoc, she has sponsored many activities that have enhanced community relations, recruitment, and educated staff. Ms. Wardlow has helped to educate local teens during Black History Month by directing and coordinating them to give presentations on prominent people in history to their local churches. She also arranged for a former “Tuskegee Airmen” to speak at a Black History Month luncheon, as well as providing various ethnic displays.

Ms. Wardlow has worked with the University of California, Santa Barbara, (black student union, fraternities, and sororities) to help recruit minorities for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As Black Affairs Program Manager, Ms. Wardlow works hard to develop programs to educate staff by organizing a multi-cultural luncheon fair, where staff was educated on many cultures through presentations, dance, and various food samplings.

Ms. Wardlow is also involved with a group of teens from the local community, where she is teaching them the importance of recycling and having them collect bottles and cans. All money collected is donated to local charities.

Ms. Wardlow is always available to help others in need. She has an incredible “can do” attitude, and when things need to get done, Ms. Wardlow is there to do it.