DHSS Press Release |
Date: April 15, 2004 DHSS-30-2004 |
| 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
31st Annual National Volunteer Week
Governor Ruth Ann Minner will present the 22nd Annual Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards on April 26, 2004, at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel &Conference Center in Dover. The awards will go to 29 individuals, corporations and organizations that best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism in Delaware.
More than 400 families, friends and co-workers will join Gov. Minner at the event, which will take place during the 31st Annual National Volunteer Week, April 18-24. The week is a celebration of volunteer community service and a time to recognize the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels. This year's theme is "Volunteers Inspire by Example."
Collectively, the recipients of the Governor's Awards have contributed thousands of hours of community service directed at emergency preparedness, mentoring, promoting physical activity, delivering meals to the elderly and shut-ins, enriching the arts, and preserving the environment among other activities.
Awards sponsors are the Office of the Governor, Delaware Commission for Community and Volunteer Service, and the State Office of Volunteerism in Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of State Services Centers.
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, General Motors Wilmington Plant, and Delaware Supermarkets (Shop Rites of Delaware).
2003 GOVERNOR'S OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Fact Sheet Bios
Statewide Awards
| Award Recipient | Award Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gloria Cooke | Environment | Gloria Cooke began advocating for water resources as a guide for the Delaware Nature Society (DNS) in 1984. For more than 16 years, she has been involved at all levels with Delaware Stream Watch. She coordinated quality assurance/quality control workshops, hosted training workshops, and kept the supply of Stream Watch equipment and supplies up-to-date. Ms. Cooke has taught many groups about stream ecology and aquatic habitats. Her leadership and dedication have helped the Stream Watch program evolve into a nationally recognized model for successful citizen monitoring of the health of our waterways. |
| Dale Kehrer | Health | Dale Kehrer has volunteered for the Sussex County AIDS Committee (SCAC) since May of 2003. SCAC provides a number of supportive services to clients, including supplemental food, emergency financial assistance, and free transportation to medical appointments. A very giving and caring person, Ms. Kehrer gives her time and talents with a smile and good humor. Because she pitches right in and helps with any need, many visitors think she is one of the SCAC staff members. An eager participant in all SCAC programs, she looks beyond traditional resources to find innovative ways to help clients. |
| Theodore Ressler | Arts/Culture | In 1995, Ted Ressler created the Children's Theatre, Inc. Now President and Artistic and Managing Director of the organization, Mr. Ressler writes and directs plays for the more than 200 participating children. During the past nine seasons, Mr. Ressler raised $40,000 and persuaded Wesley College to donate the use of a stage and an office. He also has a lengthy involvement with a number of other boards and agencies, including the Board of Directors of the Delaware Theatre Association, Board of Directors of the YMCA, and State Liaison from Delaware to the National Storytelling Network. |
| William "Bill" Scott | Community Service | Born in Bridgeville 92 years ago, William Scott has been a member of the Milford Senior Center for 21 years. He is a member of the Board of Directors and the Membership Board, and has dedicated many years to fundraising activities. With a great sense of humor and a flair for acting, Mr. Scott has performed in every Variety Show at the Center, most recently as one of the Andrews Sisters. He also chauffeurs members to the "singles" luncheon on Saturdays, and every year he plays a convincing Santa Claus to a delighted audience. For 16 years, Mr. Scott helped pack lunches for the homebound meal program. He still serves meals in the congregate lunch program to members with disabilities, and provides empathetic, personal attention to the sick and homebound. |
| Ben & Terry Smith | Human Needs | Ben and Terry Smith have been leaders among the volunteers at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) for 13 years. RMH provides a comfortable home-away-from-home for the families of hospitalized children. At first, Mr. Smith volunteered to do face painting; then he got into repairs. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1993. He has brought RMH from a facility serving 544 families in 1991, to one currently serving more than 1,700 families. Ms. Smith began her volunteer assignments cleaning in the kitchen. Since then, she has become a constant presence in the bookkeeping department, coming in before dawn many mornings each week to manage the busy donor-tracking system. On weekends, she prepares meals and treats for the families. |
Social Issue Awards
| Award Recipient | Award Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| R. Clifford Berg, Jr. | Health | Cliff Berg has been a friend of the American Cancer Society (ACS) since 1982. He has recruited and mobilized volunteers to become involved in legislative activity at the local and national levels. Mr. Berg is involved in many ACS activities, including lobbying for the Clean Indoor Air Act, planning and implementing American Cancer Society educational programs, and participating on the Men's Health and Cancer Conference Committee in the City of Wilmington. He supports the Society in many fundraising events, including Relay for Life, Daffodil Days, Coaches Versus Cancer, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and Drive for a Cure Golf. |
| Gregory Chambers | Social Justice | Gregory Chambers has been bringing his outstanding volunteer leadership to the YWCA Study Circles on Race and Race Relations for almost a decade. These groups of diverse individuals promote respectful dialogue and problem-solving on racism and race relations. Mr. Chambers introduced the YWCA's Study Circles to the Delaware Department of Labor's Workforce Development Committee as a diversity initiative. This led to the participation of 433 employees. He has created many opportunities for expansion of the Study Circles to other state agencies, including the Delaware State Police. |
| Virginia Davison | Education | Virginia "Ginny" Davison began volunteering in 1996 as a mentor for the HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed) program at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford. She volunteers one hour a day, four days a week, for the entire school year. Children that Ms. Davison works with love her and look up to her. She is kind and patient, and is always willing to help, with both academics and social skills. She is an ambassador for the HOSTS program and works diligently to recruit more mentors. |
| Holly Fleming | Human Needs | For three years, Holly Fleming has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. In the office, she works approximately 300 hours a year, handling mailing lists, phone calls and data entry. She records volunteer hours, updates addresses, and keeps Habitat's busy office humming. In 2003, Ms. Fleming joined the Family Selection Committee where she sets up visits with potential applicants, reviews applications and helps with the selection of families for homeownership. |
| Muriel Gilman | Community Service | Public service is a way of life for Muriel Gilman. She is a tireless crusader for human rights and social justice. Ms. Gilman retired from the United Way of Delaware in 1988. On the Board of the Delaware Community Foundation, she is a long-term member of the Grants Committee and an advisor to the Youth Philanthropy Board. She also established an endowment fund to provide homeowner education and counseling. Ms. Gilman is a Board member and active volunteer with many other agencies, including Children and Families First; American Lung Association; Girls, Inc.; and the National Conference for Community and Justice. |
| Brooks Keen | Community Service | Brooks R. Keen began volunteering as a youth, first with his church, and later as an Eagle Scout. He joined the Citizens Hose Company #1 in Smyrna as a young man, and continues there today as Chief. Mr. Keen served on the town planning and zoning commission, as well as Town Council. He is a long-term member of Duck Creek Historical Society, and has been President since 1997. His other volunteer involvements include Tiger Cubs and Little League Coach; Duck Creek Autumn Fair annual fund-raiser; and Co-Chair of the Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association's Delawarean Annual Auction Sale. |
| Rebecca "Becky" King | Education | Rebecca King has been a volunteer nurse with Disaster Health Services of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula since March 2001. She is an advocate for "Masters of Disaster," a program that educates school children on safety techniques in the event of natural or manmade disasters. She also traveled twice to New York City and served as a Disaster Health Services Nurse in response to 9/11. Ms. King volunteers on the boards of Mom's House and the University of Delaware Alumni. She also organized a clothing drive for Glenville residents who were displaced due to recent flooding. |
| Pearl Livingston | Community Service | Pearl Livingston is a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. For nine years, she has volunteered at Ferris School for Boys as a religious facilitator and director of the Ferris School Choir. In May of 1999, she became leader of Ezion Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church's outreach project. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to minister comfort and hope to the young men at Ferris. The cooperation that she teaches these young men is inspiring. Ms. Livingston also volunteers at the Howard R. Young Correctional Facility, and with her church's health and nursing ministries. |
| John McMahon | Human Needs | John McMahon has been an active volunteer in workforce and economic development organizations since the early 1990s, including the Private Industry Council, Delaware Workforce Development Council, and Lt. Governor Minner's Commission on Government Reorganization and Effectiveness. Under his leadership, free vocational training was offered to approximately 4,000 Delaware citizens, and 30,000 Delawareans visited the One-Stop Career Centers. Howard Career Center Task Force, DELDOT Task Force, Catholic Youth Organization, and the Bayard House are just a few of the other organizations that benefit from Mr. McMahon's generosity. |
| Steve Packard | Environment | At Tri-State Bird Rescue, volunteer Steve Packard is a lifesaver for injured birds. Mr. Packard began volunteering in May 2001, and he works at least three shifts a week. He has never refused a call for help, whether it is to release a red-tailed hawk on his way home, or scrub out the pigeon cage. He has trained innumerable volunteers and interns, and has provided unfailing support for every staff member. Mr. Packard can always be counted on, and regularly braves winter storms, icy roads, frozen locks and slippery paths to volunteer at the Tri-State Bird Rescue. |
| Pam Prettyman | Human Needs | Pam Prettyman's volunteering ranges from activities for youths, to helping the seriously ill. Ms. Prettyman has been an active leader with the Girl Scouts since 1991. She is involved with the Sussex Central Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading Organization, and has been Captain of a Cancer Relay for Life team. Other service involvements include Ruritan Club, Adopt-a-Highway, Return Day, Georgetown Little League and Georgetown Kiwanis. Ms. Prettyman's generous donations include personal gifts for the residents at the Peach Tree Brain and Spinal Injury Unit, supplies and transportation for Girl Scouts, trimmings for the Delaware Hospice Festival of the Trees, and funds for Howard T. Ennis School. |
| Robert St. John | Environment | Robert St. John joined Abbott's Mill Nature Center in August 2002, taking an active role in the Environmental Educational Department. Later, he took on a mammoth project: revitalizing a 19th century gristmill. Abbott's Mill was designed in 1802 to be water-powered by a large turbine at the end of the building. Mr. St. John gathered a cadre of enthusiastic volunteers and, with their assistance, the roller mills are now grinding corn. Known as "Bob the Miller," his work has saved thousands of dollars and brought a bit of history back to life. |
| Duane "Chet" Wilt | Human Needs | Duane "Chet" Wilt began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 1995, working in the Pet Therapy Program. Since November 1999, Mr. Wilt has served as Coordinator of Disaster Volunteers in southern Delaware. He also manages most of the shelters in Kent and Sussex counties for the victims of local fires, severe weather and other disasters. Mr. Wilt has led several teams of volunteers to many multifamily fires to help victims with their immediate needs for temporary lodging, food and clothing. |
| Bank of America | Corporate | Bank of America is a valued corporate partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware. For over 10 years, Bank associates have participated in "Bowl for Kids' Sake," raising funds to support statewide mentoring programs. Today, more than 40 associates are real heroes for the children they mentor. In addition to mentoring, volunteers repair houses, deliver meals to shut-ins, sell daffodils to fund cancer research, ring the Salvation Army bell and work on an Adopt-a Highway crew. |
| Carl Anderson & Joyce Sinclair | Education | Carl Anderson has been a mentor at Fairview Elementary School in Dover for four years. Joyce Sinclair has been a mentor at the same school for five years. As volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program, Mr. Anderson and Ms. Sinclair individually meet and work with students one-on-one. Mr. Anderson has mentored two students who have attended Fairview. Ms. Sinclair is currently working with a fourth-grader on academic skills and personal growth. Mr. Anderson and Ms. Sinclair are always attentive to their mentees' needs and work to obtain the resources necessary for their mentees' personal growth. |
| Mickie Christfield & Susan Parr | Human Needs | Mickie Christfield and Sue Parr were teamed up for visits to a nursing home through the Volunteer Ombudsman Program. Ms. Christfield is a retired elementary school teacher, and Ms. Parr is a retired R.N. In 1999, Ms. Parr lost her sight due to macular degeneration. This didn't deter her from volunteering. Ms. Parr chats, encourages residents and holds their hands while Ms. Christfield reads to them. At first, all of their assigned residents were bedridden, and most of them did not acknowledge the pair. But equipped with poems, stories, teddy bears and big hearts, Ms. Christfield and Ms. Parr let these residents know that they cared. Now they have a visitation list of more than 40 residents to whom they bring their special joy each Monday. |
| Clowning Program | Health | According to many studies, laughter can be a powerful medicine, working like magic to ease anxiety and tension. Christiana Care has a group of enthusiastic volunteers - Happy, Smilee, Birdie, Hijinks, Ms. Butter Up and Anna Banana - who spread laughter to patients. The Clowning Program began in March 1991. Now, 13 years and 9,000 hours of volunteer mirth later, the program is going strong. |
| First State Robotics | Community Service | First State Robotics is a non-profit organization that mentors and exposes students to engineering and related technology careers. The 38 adult volunteers, who are experts in engineering, computing and technology, work to inspire young people, schools and communities with an appreciation of science and technology. The group sponsors the Miracle Workerz team that designs and builds a robot to compete in the F.I.R.S.T (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) national robotic competition. Over 100 students from 23 schools have participated in these events. First State Robotics also organizes and runs the official Delaware F.I.R.ST. Lego® League competition. Teams of middle-school students design and build computer-controlled Lego® Robots. Other activities include Hagley Invention Convention, First Night Wilmington and the Christina Science Scholar program. |
| Howard High School of Technology | Community Service | Howard High School of Technology's service-learning program, entitled "One School - One Community," has touched the lives of young and old alike throughout the City of Wilmington. From the Eastside to West Center City, from Southbridge to North Market, Howard's staff have encouraged their students to be involved in projects that range from providing health and dental care for elementary school children to offering computer training at local senior centers. Because of the leadership, dedication and guidance of these teachers, along with the strong partnerships formed with many local community representatives, over 500 students participate in one or more service-learning projects over the course of the school year. During that time students work side-by-side as teammates with residents of the Wilmington community. |
| MARK Literacy Volunteers | Community Service | The MARK Program (More Adult Readers in Kent County) is an important component of the Groves Middletown Center Adult Basic Education Program. These dedicated tutors provide one-on-one literacy services to Kent County adults who read below the 4th-grade level. MARK volunteers address obtaining and keeping a job, leaving public assistance, and furthering education through adult high school diploma classes, GED, or technical training programs. MARK tutors not only teach, they are also mentors. Students' self-esteem improves dramatically when, for the first time, they find that success is within their reach. The MARK volunteers are role models and provide direction to help students build confidence and focus on career and education goals. |
| Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell | Social Justice | Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell's involvement in a landmark case helped protect the rights of low-income individuals statewide. Volunteer assistance was provided to prevent the establishment of a legal precedent harmful to low-income, elderly and disabled tenants. For three years, Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI) defended the rights of subsidized tenants living at an apartment complex in Bear. Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell did extensive work drafting legal documents to secure the desired relief. When confronted with this show of legal strength, the landlord was persuaded to let the tenants remain. |
| Shoes that Fit of Newark Delaware | Community Service | In March 1999, the Newark Chapter of the Shoes That Fit Program was created by Joanne and John Glauser. The organization's mission is to "Build the self-esteem of needy children by providing them with new shoes and clothing." In the past five years, the organization has helped more than 4,700 children by providing 32,710 items of new clothing in all three Delaware counties. Almost 850 homeless children received clothing in the Red Clay and Christiana school fistricts; onsite clothing closets were established in 12 schools in New Castle and Kent counties; and outreach programs were implemented to help the Hispanic communities in Wilmington and southern Delaware. |
| Steppin' Seniors | Health | For more than 10 years, the Steppin' Seniors have promoted fitness and a healthy lifestyle throughout Delaware. Currently, there are 100 members, 90% of whom are members of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Kent County. The group provides entertainment and develops various dance/health/fitness programs to share when visiting schools, churches, nursing homes, organizations, or businesses. |
| Wilmington Power Squadron | Public Safety | Since its founding 66 years ago, the Wilmington Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®, has offered public boating courses to nearly 9,000 New Castle County citizens. These courses make new boaters aware of issues that include safety, navigation and proper use of equipment. For six years, the Power Squadron has also taught safe boating practices with the Sea Scout Ship 50, a group within the Venturing program of the Boy Scouts. For four years, the group has supported the "Christmas at Sea" program for the Seamen's Center of Wilmington, providing clothing and gifts to help ease the loneliness of seamen who are far from their own countries. |
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.
