DHSS Press Release |
Date: April 28, 2003 DHSS-39-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Allison Taylor Levine Phone: (302) 255-9037 Pager: (302) 247-8523 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR MINNER TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
30th Annual National Volunteer Week
DOVER - Governor Ruth Ann Minner will present the 21st Annual Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards to 18 individuals, four organizations, and two businesses that best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism in Delaware. Gov. Minner will present the awards on April 29, 2003, at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center.
This is also the 30th Annual National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3rd. This year's theme is "Celebrate Volunteers - The Spirit of America!" This week is a celebration of volunteer community service and a time to recognize the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels. Remember to thank a volunteer this week for dedication to community service.
Collectively, the recipients of the Governor's Awards have contributed thousands of hours of community service directed at highway safety, mentoring children, affordable housing, delivering meals to the elderly and shut ins, enriching the arts, and preserving the environment among other activities. More than 430 families, friends and co-workers will join Gov. Minner.
The Office of the Governor, Governor's Council on Volunteer Services, the State Office of Volunteerism in Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of State Services Centers, and the Delaware Community Service Commission sponsor the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
Corporate sponsors have been extremely generous in their support for the event and include Conectiv, Discover Bank, Agilent Technologies, AstraZeneca, Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington Trust, MBNA, Saturn Wilmington Plant and Delaware Supermarkets (Shop Rites of Delaware). For more information about the Awards Program, contact the State Office of Volunteerism, 1-800-815-LINK (5465).
2003 GOVERNOR'S OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Fact Sheet Bios
Statewide Awards
| Name, Award Type, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Evelyn McKinnon Individual Award New Castle County - Wilmington |
Mrs. McKinnon was instrumental in helping to develop what is now the Meals on Wheels program in Wilmington. She began in the 1960s cooking and delivering meals to shut-ins through her church. The church program expanded into the community, continued to grow and eventually evolved into Meals on Wheels. She has delivered meals for four decades, even after becoming legally blind. |
| Adopt-a-Family Clothing Closet Volunteers at Hanover Presbyterian Church Organization Award New Castle County - Claymont |
The Hanover Presbyterian Church has been operating a clothing closet in Wilmington for over 30 years. In the mid 1980s, the church partnered with Delaware Health and Social Services' Adopt-a-Family program, which has helped develop the reputation of the program as one of the premier clothing closets in the city. In 2002, the Closet helped 3,049 families provide clothing for their 6,250 children/household members. |
| Rosalie B. Walls Community/Civic/Social Award Sussex County - Georgetown |
The words "Rosalie Walls" and "volunteer" are synonymous. Mrs. Walls' history of volunteerism spans 50 years. She has contributed countless hours to more than 20 organization and projects throughout Delaware, including Georgetown Historical Society, State Grange, Ladies Auxiliary, and American Cancer Society to name a few. She is best known for her dedication and organization of Return Day, which is held every two years following elections. |
| Sister Maria Mairlot Faith Based Award Sussex County - Georgetown |
Since 1995, Sister Maria has been helping newly arriving immigrants meet their basic needs. She soon found that providing decent and affordable housing helped solve other problems. Sister Maria is being recognized for her countless hours of counseling, guidance, interpretation, translation and transportation provided to help immigrants in Sussex County reach their dreams of home ownership. |
Business/Corporate Awards
| Business | Description |
|---|---|
| Uniqema | Employees of Uniqema are overwhelmingly dedicated volunteers - not only to the students at Harry O. Eisenberg School, but also to the community at large. Since 1997, Uniqema has partnered with Eisenberg School to provide mentor volunteers through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, becoming the friends and trusted companions to their little brothers or sisters. Uniqema donates used printer cartridges to the school for recycling as well as computers, supplies and equipment. Other Uniqema Outreach Programs include Days of Caring, Adopt-a-Family, Adopt-a-Highway, Junior Achievement and Special Olympics. Uniqema is also dedicated to the community at large. The company worked with the local civic association in Collins Park to revitalize the children's playground after it was vandalized. |
| Conectiv Emergency Services Partnership Program | Created three years ago by Conectiv, the Emergency Services Partnership Program is a unique partnership with police, fire, emergency service and public safety officials. It is designed to ensure a positive relationship with public safety professionals and allows them to work together efficiently and effectively in emergency situations, either natural or manmade. The partnership also supports the many Conectiv employee volunteers who are part of the public safety community. |
Community Service Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Rosline Busch Kent County - Dover |
Ms. Busch has designed and created brown fuzzy "Comfort Bears" for children being treated in the emergency rooms at Kent General and Milford Hospitals. Each bear is personally made and designed to be childproof for children of all ages and then is donated to each hospital for distribution. Bears are also donated to paramedics to give to children as a comfort tool at the scenes of accidents. Ms. Busch's act of kindness shows the softer side of medical care and has been a great help to medical staff treating children, as well as to the children themselves. |
| Leona McDuffie Sussex County - Milford |
Mrs. McDuffie has served more than 12 years as a mentor in the Foster Grandparent Program. She has made an enormous contribution toward improving the lives of troubled youth. She serves as a caring adult, a tutor, a mentor and an exemplary illustration of citizenship. She also finds the time to volunteer with other organizations, including her church. |
| Wayne Hunter New Castle County - Wilmington |
Mr. Hunter, the founder of Children with Challenges (CWC), has been a community volunteer for more than 20 years. CWC's purpose is to provide an outdoor experience for children with emotional, physical, social and economic challenges. Mr. Hunter is also involved in numerous volunteer activities including YMCA, Boy Scouts, Days of Caring, Dog Rescue and Ronald McDonald House. |
Education Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Kent County 4-H Leaders Association Kent County |
These volunteers have dedicated their personal time to work with, educate and assist in the development of skills with over 800 youth in Kent County. They provide educational experiences and opportunities in over 80 project areas that include nutrition, clothing, photography, livestock, horticulture and art. The Leaders also teach various life skills such as communication, decision-making, citizenship and leadership. Emphasis is placed on developing youth to be active citizens and leaders in their communities. |
| Eugene Anderson New Castle County - Wilmington |
Nicknamed "Rocky," Mr. Anderson is known as the "big man with a big heart and soul." Retired from DuPont, he now volunteers to help students struggling with reading at Ferris School. He provides academic, practical and emotional support for high-risk students. |
| Eve Aldred, MD Sussex County - Lewes |
Dr. Aldred selflessly gives of her time and energy to volunteer at Shields Elementary and Lewes Middle Schools. She works in the classrooms, assists staff with various tasks, prepares projects and tutors students. Dr. Aldred also presents the Junior Achievement Program. She offers daily academic tutoring that she designs and implements to be age and grade appropriate from 2nd through 8th grade. |
Human Needs Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Manna Meal Volunteers at Milford Senior Center Kent County - Milford |
These volunteers average 1,560 hours a year delivering meals with a human touch to shut-ins in the Milford area. These volunteers are a daily contact for many seniors who are alone, and they also serve as an excellent referral source for those in need of services. They often deliver craft items, cards and "refrigerator art" from local school children and churches. |
| Ann S. Metzker New Castle County - Claymont |
A volunteer for more than 25 years with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of New Castle County, Mrs. Metzker has been instrumental in coordinating and directing the Care Wear project, in which 40 talented knitters create over 2000 pieces of warm winter clothing for non-profit agencies each year. At 90 years old, Mrs. Metzker has served on the RSVP Advisory Council for more than 10 years, providing leadership and inspiration. |
| Patricia Rust Sussex County - Georgetown |
Ms. Rust volunteers and serves on the board of the Sussex County Senior Services - CHEER. Ms. Rust is instrumental in CHEER's continued growth. Through her advocacy and diligent search for new funding sources, she has ensured CHEER's ability to meet the needs of the ever-expanding senior population in Sussex County. |
Environmental Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Paul Wilkinson New Castle County - Wilmington |
Since retiring, Mr. Wilkinson has become a full-time volunteer. He has contributed countless hours, energy and professional skill to the Wilmington Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Through Mr. Wilkinson's untiring efforts, LEPC ensures that response plans are in place to protect public health, safety and the environment. |
| John Frink New Castle County - Newark |
Mr. Frink and his late wife are responsible for founding Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in 1976. To Mr. Frink, philanthropy is not something that you fit into a busy lifestyle, but is a priority and an integral part of life. Mr. Frink's volunteer activities have covered every aspect in the organization from caring for birds to newsletter editor to board service. For more than 25 years, Mr. Frink has been a role model for community and volunteer service. |
Arts/Culture Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| J. Susan Isaacs, Ph.D. New Castle County - Wilmington |
Active since 1992 with the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA), Dr. Isaacs has volunteered as the curator and program director. DCCA has saved tens of thousands of dollars due to Dr. Isaacs's commitment to the arts. She directs the community outreach program, helps with the annual auction, serves on the board and finds the time guest lecture at other galleries. |
| Phyllis Levitt Kent County - Dover |
A retired educator, Mrs. Levitt is a strong advocate for the arts and humanities. She gives her time, energy, talents and gifts to enhance cultural diversity and human relations, not only in the greater Dover area but statewide. She has made unselfish contributions to the community for social justice and equality, serving on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union. She also has dedicated much of her time to serving on a variety of committees, including the Governor's Awards for the Arts, Delaware Theater Company, Friends of the Capital Theater and the Dover Human Relations Commission. |
Social Justice Awards
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Dolly S. Banks Sussex County - Georgetown |
The impetus for Ms. Banks' undertaking volunteering as a full-time avocation was the unhappy experience of losing her son in a drunk driving accident. Realizing that present and future victims of alcohol-related crashes need support, counseling and education, she was inspired to reactivate a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Delaware chapter. Ms. Banks recruited other volunteers and members, raised funds, maintained public awareness booths, and served as a victim advocate. She has greatly contributed to the enhancement of life in Delaware. |
Public Safety Award
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Lisa Burroughs New Castle County - Newark |
Ms. Burroughs is committed to the emotionally demanding volunteer work at CONTACT Delaware, a crisis helpline and referral service. She serves as a victim advocate, participates in public education, helps with training and serves as a peer leader to other volunteers. In addition, she recently completed her bachelor's degree and is active in the National Guard. |
| Angela Lucas Kent County - Frederica |
Mrs. Lucas is a volunteer with a great affection for humanity. Her volunteer service through the Lions Club has addressed the needs of disaster victims and disaster relief workers. She organizes monumental donation drives from her home. She also volunteers for the Lions Vision Research Foundation. |
Health Award
| Name, County, City | Description |
|---|---|
| Virginia A. Vaughn New Castle County - New Castle |
Ms. Vaughn promotes awareness and education to women on cancer and cancer-related issues. She currently serves as President for the Delaware chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and volunteers for the American Cancer Society. She assists with advocacy and legislative issues in support of additional funding for cancer research and treatments. She does all of this in addition to working full time and assisting in caring for her paraplegic mother. |
| BEDNET Volunteer Program At Christiana Care Health System New Castle County |
The BEDNET Program provides volunteer support by former patients, educational materials and free Internet access to bed-bound, hospitalized adults at Christiana Care. Providing Internet access helps patients stay in touch with family, work and the outside world. BEDNET helps to remove the stresses of long hospitalization for patients. |
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
