Amanda Lamunyon

Amanda has been involved with the Children’s Miracle Network family for 3 years. She is a remarkable teenager with a huge heart and a determination to help children that are in need of medical miracle.

Amanda is a Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Child. A Miracle Child is an adolescent who has a childhood illness and is dealing with it on a daily basis with grace and an unselfish, positive attitude.

Amanda has been an Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network since 2005. She has spoken at over a dozen fundraising events including Radioathons, Telethons, Sponsor Meetings, Car Shows, Golf Tournaments, Dinners and Dance Marathons.

Amanda is a gifted artist and now she has donated her paintings to Children’s Miracle Network for fundraising purposes and she gives a portion of her proceeds from her artwork sold on her website to CMN. The money in turn goes to Children’s Medical Research Institute to further pediatric research to help find the causes, treatments and cures for childhood illness, traumas and genetic disorders.

Amanda has accomplished much; however, she he has only begun! There is no stopping her as she is determined to ignore all her challenges, work to better the world through her painting and community involvement, and her vision to make children well.

Alexandra Kline

Alexandra Kine is a part of Mentoring ToDAY and began her mentoring relationship with her mentee in January 2007. She had previously tutored him in another program and he chose her to be his mentor based on their prior relationship.

Mentoring ToDAY serves youth who are returning from incarceration and reintegrating into the DC community, providing them with dedicated mentoring and advocacy services as they strive to establish safe and fulfilling lives. The aim of Mentoring ToDAY is to empower DC’s at-risk youth to recognize their dreams and live their aspirations.

The bond that Alexandra established with her mentee during his time in Oak Hill remains today, despite the fact that Mentoring ToDAY only requires one year of commitment. The connection that Alexandra has established with her mentee is a direct result of unending patience, remarkable persistence and heartfelt compassion. Such qualities are crucial not only to the success of Mentoring ToDAY’s mission but to the success of the city’s youth as a whole. As our mentees reach new heights, they serve as role models to their friends and siblings who, in turn, begin to work towards their own goals.

To date, Alexandra has dedicated over 174 hours to mentoring. Through visits to Oak Hill during her mentee’s incarceration, phone calls, and in-person meetings in the community, Alexandra has persisted in maintaining a healthy and encouraging relationship with her mentee. As a testament to their bond, her mentee has turned to her numerous times when in greatest need and considers her one of his most dedicated advocates.

DC’s youth are craving positive and enduring relationships with caring adults and Alexandra diligently strives to fulfill that desire with her time, thoughtfulness, and encouragement. Her work with Mentoring ToDAY exemplifies all the qualities of an ideal mentor-one who is patient, caring, encouraging, non-judgmental and dedicated.

Daniel Kent

In eighth grade, Daniel worked at his public library teaching senior citizens and young children computer and Internet skills. After class, a senior citizen explained that his wheelchair bound neighbors could not leave their facility and learn how to use the internet, as “their world was growing smaller” and they “were losing touch with their grandchildren” since today’s youth use email rather than write letters.

Dan contacted local and national agencies for help without success, identifying a hole in our community’s social network. Consequently and with $4,000 that he had saved to buy a car, he founded Net Literacy; a youth empowered 501(c) (3).

Since 2003, Net Literacy has increased computer access, computer and Internet literacy and Internet safety awareness to inner-city and other underserved individuals. It also teaches youths leadership, life-skills and provides them an opportunity to serve their community.

As President and founder, Daniel mobilized schools and partnered with over 200 nonprofits to reduce the digital divide, ranging from the AARP to the Boys and Girls Club and from local anti-gang community centers to the Salvation Army. He successfully drafted and lobbied the Indiana State Legislature to pass “The Net Literacy Bill,” and recruited US Senators Lugar and Bayh, Fort Wayne Mayor Graham, and Indiana Department of Education’s Superintendent, Dr. Reed, to his Honorary Board. Daniel partnered with IUPUI to provide $100,000’s in scholarships for inner city Net Literacy volunteers.

Daniel founded Net Literacy in middle school, and has since served as its President, Youth Chair, and on its Board of Directors. He expanded the scope of Net Literacy to include internet safety and an initiative that provided 1000 computers for inner city schools during the first half of 2008. Despite being diagnosed with a disability in 2005, Dan continues to be its driving force.

Under Daniel’s leadership, Net Literacy increased computer access to over 80,000 individuals in four states. Thousands of computers have been repurposed in an EPA-complaint manner, creating hundreds of public computer labs in HUD/Section 8 apartments, community/senior centers and neighborhood/faith-based nonprofits. Students teach youths and senior citizen computer skills, and over 800 students have engaged in youth philanthropy throughout the state. Two websites were constructed, and youths from New York to California now utilize Net Literacy’s programs. Daniel has increased awareness of the digital divide; receiving awards from President Clinton, General Powell, Senator Dole, and President Bush in a White House ceremony.

Net Literacy is a “youth empowered” nonprofit whose students manage all programs and comprise 50% of the Board. Dan significantly increased senior citizen internet participation by building over 100 computer labs inside independent living facilities and created an intergenerational program where students teach senior citizens on a “one-to-one” basis. He created a novel K-12 Internet safety program that is taught by students to “students and parents together” in schools. Net Literacy has initiated a state wide internet safety awareness program launched with a $100,000 media campaign, jointly announced by Net Literacy and the Indiana Department of Education.

Jeff Davis High School Humanitarian Club

The young men and women of Jeff Davis Humanitarian Club guided by their incredible teacher, Edvique Kerr, made the decision to adopt in Haiti as their Humanitarian outreach program. Haiti is the third poorest country in the world and is currently suffering with one of the worst famines to date.

The high school students initiated a campaign called “Fill The Container” which will be to fill a 20 foot shipping container with basic need items and to ship it to Haiti in June. The students have worked tirelessly since they kicked off the campaign. They have been energetic and creative to get other youth, churches, schools, and clubs involved throughout Montgomery to fill the container!

The students have boxes sorted, and labeled throughout the school and in their classroom to collect specific items of need for the children of Haiti. Among the many items the students are collecting are school supplies, hygiene care items, tennis shoes, medical supplies, bottled water and rice and beans! The classroom is overflowing with boxes, already many of the boxes are filled and sealed and ready for shipping!!! To top it all off already the students have collected well over 500 pounds of rice alone and over $2400!

The students sell candy, bake sales, t-shirt sells and collect pennies each day as well. They have created posters, banners. T-shirts, Power Point presentations and even a Rap song all for the children of Haiti!

Each Friday on the school television the Humanitarian Club presents a Power Point presentation to show the recent photos of Haiti, the children at the school in Haiti and to educate others at JD teachers at the school, but the community as well!

Charlie Holtsford

Charlie has served on a number of mission projects both local and overseas and has seen firsthand the impact of helping others. After researching ideas for his Boy Scout Eagle project he decided he wanted to do a project that would have a significant educational, emotional and physical impact on young underserved children in his own community.

Charlie had previously participated in many mission projects through the youth program of First United Methodist Church including projects at the Nellie Burge Community Center. He saw a need for the children to have a special indoor play area where they could use their imagination and improve their social skills. He thought this play area would give the children an alternative place to play on days when it was either too hot or too wet to play outside.

Charlie raised over $7,000 and organized more than 20 volunteers over several months to make the playroom a reality for the children of Nellie Burge. Volunteers painted the walls of the room, and then painted colorful and playful jungle animals on the walls, and installed padded floor tiles. New toys and furniture items were purchased and assembled for the room including a playhouse, kitchen items, puppets, books, dolls, building blocks and DVD’s. Charlie did this project to earn his Eagle Scout badge with the Boy Scouts. He probably could have done a much easier project but he decided to do something that would have a lasting impact on many and hopefully would improve the quality of life for the children and the teachers and make them feel special. Charlie organized a blessing and dedication of the room after it was completed with the Senior minister of First Methodist and his youth minister participating. All of the volunteers and donors were invited to attend this special event so they could see the results of their contributions of time and money.

Charlie serves on the youth leadership team at church that plans events and activities for the youth program. He also serves at his school as an Ambassador and mentor to elementary aged children. He makes time for all of these activities, and still manages to do well in school where he is an honor roll student and athlete. In balancing his time with sports, church, and studies he was able to make this project a reality which is the most amazing thing about this achievement. He gave up many Friday nights and Saturdays to work on this project and managed to recruit other youth and adults to help him. Because of this play area the children at Nellie Burge will have a new place to play and grow together. It has also given adults that witnessed this project a renewed sense of hope for the future of this generation.

Matthew Fitzner

Matt Fitzner’s has been an integral part of the Chemo Pal Program at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) for three and a half years

His dedication and compassion for Matthew, his Chemo Pal, has been a model for the program as a whole. The Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor program for children and teens breaks through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments by providing trusted, dependable, and carefully matched mentors. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains self-esteem and confidence throughout the emotionally isolating and physically difficult. The Chemo Pal volunteer provides support and guidance through dependable visits in the midst of the lonely battle against cancer. These mentors visit hospitals, clinics and homes to play games, take walks, read, do art projects or share hobbies.

Matthew not only has cancer but also has Downs Syndrome, making Matt’s commitment and devotion to Matthew even more crucial. They like to read together play games and just hang out. Matt became involved in the Chemo Pal program after a divorce and his own cancer diagnosis. He decided that he could either be bitter or positive and chose to take the positive route. Because of his age, he feared that he would not be able to have his own family and so decided that he would become a part of another family’s life. After becoming involved with the program he looked at things in a more positive light and he eventually met his now wife. He now has a two-year old daughter and two month old daughter whom he adores.

Matt is very thankful to have had the opportunity to become so closely involved in Matthew’s life and appreciates the connection that he has with the family. Without Matt, Matthew’s hospital visits would be more difficult, and we are willing to bet that these two have had an equal impact on each other: both have changed the others life for the better.

Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services

Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services (G.I.V.S.) has been helping Goodwill promote its mission since August 1980. The purpose of this volunteer organization is to acquaint the people of the greater Montgomery area with the works and needs of Goodwill Industries of Central Alabama Inc.

The members are responsible to encourage donations and make people aware of Goodwill’s mission of providing training, vocational assistance and employment for people with disabilities or other vocational problems which limit employment opportunities. Each person has a story and reason for getting involved with G.I.V.S. Each member is unique and brings a special talent to the group.

Every member has had their own struggles and hardships, but they don’t let it stop them from giving back. G.I.V.S. members run a store call Doll Land, which is located on Atlanta Hwy, next to Goodwill. This unique store offers customers, pre-loved dolls at discounted prices. The ladies work tremendously hard to clean the dolls and get them ready to sell. Many women work several hours during the week in preparation for Tuesdays and Saturdays, when the store is open.

All of the workers are strictly volunteers so they deserve all of the credit for what they do. All of the proceeds made from the store go back to the Goodwill in the form of scholarships for employees’ children and needed equipment for rehabilitation classes.

G.I.V.S. provides money for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners for the employees at the Goodwill plant in Montgomery and Enterprise. They provide the employees with delicious meals and an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the holiday season. They also provide the funds for Workforce Development to purchase new suits for consumers, going on job interviews. In the past, G.I.V.S has also provided mats for the workers in the plant to stand on. Most of the workers in the plant have disabilities, so it becomes painful to stand on their feet for great lengths of time. This group also provides Vintage Fashion Shows for the community. They have been doing these fashion shows for years. The shows are a way to have fun with donated, vintage, clothes and spread the word about Goodwill’s mission.

A recipient of the services provided by G.I.V.S. describes how they have been inspired. “This group has touched my life in ways that can only be described in one word—GIVE. They have taught me that giving your time and talent is the best way to help others and encourage their spirit. The things they do raise awareness about Goodwill and the money received from the shows go toward the G.I.V.S. fund to again, help others.”

Kirsten Coleman

Kirsten began her project with therapy dogs three years ago. Her father suffered a severe stroke which left him paralyzed on his right side. With the use of her dog, Roxy, Kirsten assisted her father with his rehabilitation. As she saw the benefits of not only the rehabilitation using her dog but also the emotional healing through the love and compassion the animal had for her father, she was inspired to do more.

Kirsten discovered a group called “Sumter Paws”. Kirsten and Roxy attended training classes and became certified members of National Therapy Dogs, Incorporated.

It is unusual for someone so young to make such a commitment, but she embraced this challenge with enthusiasm. They began making weekly visits to nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and schools. In October 2005, as the only young member involved in pet therapy in her community, she began educating others on the benefits of therapy dogs. There are 5 more young people involved in the organization today, and the number is growing.

Kirsten, now 16, has developed her own organization entitled “Puppy Love”. Her objective is to increase awareness of therapy dogs, educate the public on rehabilitation benefits, and inspire young people to become involved in their communities. Kirsten organized a Relay For Life team and became the first Therapy Dog Team to be allowed to participate at the event. She has participated in other Relay for Life events, and Youth Service America day by taking Roxy with her to read to elementary students.

On May 10, 2008, Kirsten encouraged 95 municipalities throughout the state of Florida to pass Proclamations adopting the first “Therapy Dogs Awareness Day”. Kirsten continues to educate the public with visits to the Ronald McDonald House, and upcoming events, such as; coordinating a donation drive for the Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, a Dog Wash to raise funds for a local reading program, and speaking engagements at the local community college.

Kirsten financially supports her organization by selling beaded bracelets that she makes and donations from the community. She gives of herself freely, truly believes in her causes and the message it delivers. Her projects meet the needs of the community by providing an emotional and physical rehabilitation outlet; it provides an opportunity for others to get involved. The impact on the community has been dynamic, and the social issue of isolation felt by many in nursing facilities is alleviated.

Kirsten financially supports her organization by selling beaded bracelets that she makes and donations from the community. She gives of herself freely, truly believes in her causes and the message it delivers. Her projects meets the needs of the community by providing an emotional and physical rehabilitation outlet, it provides an opportunity for others to get involved. The impact on the community has been dynamic, and the social issue of isolation felt by many I nursing facilities is alleviated.

Marvin Wiedeman Jr.

Marvin Wiedeman is an outstanding volunteer for Douglas County, KS Emergency Management, who has provided volunteer services throughout Douglas County for 30+ years. Marvin is fulfilled doing a job to the best of his ability, assisting others and not expecting anything in return!

Mr. Wiedeman is a dedicated Douglas County Skywarn member. In and out of severe weather season, Marvin is prepared to respond when the call is sounded for trained storm spotters. He braves the hazardous weather and reports pertinent information when severe weather threatens in order to provide an on-scene account to the National Weather Service and DCEM allowing for better informed decisions. Marvin’s responsibilities go beyond just field work; he also supports the operations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during severe weather as the Field Net Controller for all Douglas County Skywarn members. After hours when the volunteers are activated, Marvin coordinates the efforts of other volunteers by sending storm spotters to designated locations and gathering the initial reports until the duty officer or emergency manager can open the EOC. He ends the activation by ensuring that all Skywarn members enter the city safely.

As if Skywarn wasn’t enough, Marvin wanted to do more! Marvin enrolled and completed the nationally certified 28-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 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 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.

After being a team member, Marvin decided to take additional training so he could be a CERT Instructor. Marvin plays a vital role in the success of the CERT training provided by Douglas County Emergency Management (DCEM). He ensures the CERT trailer is always fully stocked, organized and standing by not only for the training but for any emergency or disaster situation. His other main responsibility for the CERT trailer is transporting it wherever it is needed. Marvin has assisted the community by using his CERT skills in communitywide events such as the Wakarusa Music Festival, Maple Leaf Festival, Hazardous Materials incidents and Search and Rescue operations under Douglas County Emergency Management.

Through his selfless volunteerism Marvin not only contributes to the preparedness and education of the cities and citizens of Douglas County but also aids in the response of the Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) during emergency situations, training requests and community awareness programs. Marvin remains dedicated to the care and maintenance of the MCV for he understands the exceeding importance of the availability of the MCV to the first responders and the public.

Marvin, throughout his exceptional 30+ years of volunteerism for Douglas County Emergency Management, remains passionate and is continuously willing to give his time and talents to serve the cities and citizens of Douglas County in his “free time” as Marvin works a full-time and part-time job.

M.J. Simmons

Michael J. Simmons is currently a sophomore at Manual High School. He will be a member of the first graduating class (2011) since the school closure two years ago. He is quite athletic; football, soccer and skateboarding are his deepest passions. Although small in structure, he has the heart of a lion. He is fearless and relentless when facing adversity. Teamwork is the persona that reflects everything MJ embodies. His leadership is driven by actions.

MJ has a family who is quite active in the community. He has learned early to be gracious to those who have less and respect his elders. It was a challenge to decide what talents he could offer in reopening a school. Through support of his family, he became the spokesperson for incoming 9th graders. He met informally with students who considered Manual as an option. He shared their concerns with the media and community groups. The meetings with HandsOn Network provided MJ the opportunity to recruit other youth volunteers to help clean, paint, and plant trees. His leadership became the focal point for folks who wanted to hear the stories from a youth perspective. Doubtful members of the community were beginning to believe that there may be some hope.

The grand opening was electric. MJ for the first time had the opportunity to share his thoughts with over 700 volunteers in the school’s gymnasium. It was a day that he will never forget.

The results of MJ works were twofold. One, the community was quite pleased that students had a voice in reclaiming their school’s legacy. Secondly, student leadership would continue to be the standard culture with the support of the administration.

Michael J is the third generation of Manual High School. His willingness to stand before adults and express his ambitions and passions for his family’s alma mater was quite rewarding. Today’s youth are constantly being criticize for their lack of caring and support in the communities. MJ demonstrated that youth can send a strong message and adult can be persuade if given the opportunity for meaningful dialogue and decision making. The countless volunteer hours, interviews with local and national media inspired family members; friends and peers increased MJ’s self-confidence and concurrently allowed him to maintain that quiet, under the radar leadership that he relishes every day.