Brenda Richardson
Rebeca Monto
First Robotics Competition Team 340
The First Robotics Competition Team 340 worked to raise money to purchase a new bed for ill and injured children in their community’s local hospital. The team held a fundraiser called “jug wars” and collected $1,700 dollars in milk jugs over a three day period.
Money collected went to Golisano Children’s Hospital to purchase a “Bear Bed,” which is a special transport wheelchair bed that nurses and parents can use to take the hospitalized children for a ride out in the hall or to the playroom. It is designed to fit through doorways and go right next to the child’s bed. The ill and injured children need stimulation and change of environment. The bed allows them to interact with other children and the parents can find support in each other. It gets them back into a more “normal” environment to play.
Along with the beds, the team also donated Duplos, Legos and books to the hospital. The team has won awards for providing more than 2,000 hours of community service and the team had 19 students receive the Presidents Volunteer Service award in 2009. All of the fundraisers, community service and demonstrations are planned and executed by the students who are mentored by teachers and parents. Not only does their service help the community, it also makes the fifth and sixth graders realize their potential to make a difference.
MICHAEL BECKER
Marianne Brashinger
Brenda Maust
Ashley Imbrogno
Dr. Jack McConnell
The debate about healthcare is on everyone’s tongue these days. However, Jack McConnell, decided to give me than lip service, and took a hands on approach to help his fellow Americans without health insurance, and gave a new sense of purpose to his fellow retired medical professionals.
After retiring, Dr. McConnell moved to Hilton Head, SC to relax and enjoy a couple rounds of golf. He would often offer rides to “locals” walking to and from work as landscapers, construction workers, and restaurant servers. Being a former medical professional, he naturally asked them about their healthcare coverage. Much to his surprise, he discovered most didn’t have any healthcare or access to health insurance from their employer. They also could not afford to purchase health insurance on their own. Further inquiry revealed that one third of the island’s population, twice the national average, had no access to healthcare.
At the same time he began making friends with a number of former medical professionals who had retired on Hilton Head, but longed for the opportunity to practice medicine again. Putting two and two together, McConnell started the first Volunteers In Medicine (VIM) clinic. Retired medical professionals could provide healthcare for those without access for free, while gaining a sense of fulfillment from helping others.
The clinic McConnell started in Hilton Head, SC, has grown into a national organization that aids people in over 72 communities in 24 states, receiving care from retired and active medical professionals, and community volunteers. They provide primary care for thousands of uninsured people without the use of federal funds. Volunteers in Medicine clinics dramatically reduce overloaded emergency rooms and unnecessary hospital admissions, ease primary care physician shortage by mobilizing retired physicians, and allow physicians to practice “pure medicine”.
Growing up, every night at the dinner table, Dr. McConnell’s father would ask, “What have you done for someone today?”. Today, through the thousands of doctors, patients, and volunteers affected by VIM, he can say he’s done more than his share.
Peggy Burns
Tax season has never been a celebration for many. Imagine after crunching numbers for the whole day then volunteering to provide tax services to the underprivileged. Well, this is what Peggy Burns do as a site coordinator for the VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, in Bay City, MI.
As site coordinator, Peggy trains volunteers in the IRS taxwise program; but during the day, Peggy works at Sciloli & Associates. Managing her time between the two jobs shows the amount of concern for others Peggy has.
Through the VITA program and with Peggy’s help, low income clients are able to receive tax services for free from skilled associates. Clients are ensured to receive the maximum refund. Overall, the VITA program has brought no less than 1.4 million dollars in tax credits/refunds each year. Such success has caused the sites to expand to a total of five locations along with longer hours.
With such success, families are now able to get their refunds free of charge, which most often goes to food, medical and energy expenses. Peggy is providing services both to the American public and government.