DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 17, 2007 DHSS-111-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR MINNER TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
Delaware - More than 400 individuals are expected to attend the Governor's Annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards and dinner ceremony tomorrow night at the Sheraton Dover Hotel to honor the recipients for their outstanding volunteer and community service to Delaware.
"This is the largest we've had for this event and evidence that volunteering continues to be an important part of Delawarean lifestyle, said Vincent P. Meconi, Cabinet Secretary, Delaware and Health and Social Services. "Tomorrow's honorees are part of a larger group that gave Delaware 23,000,000 volunteers hours worth over $400 million in the market. Talk about incredible"
The recipients of the Governor's Awards have contributed hundreds of thousands of hours of community service directed at increasing community safety, protecting the environment, sponsoring the arts, providing educational opportunities to Delaware students, and helping out neighbors in need, among other activities.
"I'm pleased and honored have opportunity to present these community-minded people with these awards," Governor Ruth Ann Minner said. "Volunteerism and community service are so critical in Delaware and the nation. So many people depend upon the good will of neighbors, friends and, in many cases, strangers to get them through difficult situations and tough times. Delaware wouldn't be the great place that it is without the outstanding people we are going to honor."
This year's award recipients participate in such diverse activities as advocating for people with developmental disabilities, mentoring students, as well as giving hope and help to those battling cancer. "These award recipients are the epitome of volunteerism and represent the many devoted volunteers who make positive contributions to the First State and inspire others to do the same," said Andy Kloepfer, Social Services Senior Administrator.
Thursday, October 18, 2007 Delaware will recognize volunteerism in Delaware by presenting the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards to 25 individuals and 6 groups.
The Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, Delaware Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, as well as the Governor's Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.
Join us tomorrow for this inspirational evening at the Sheraton Hotel, in Dover, Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 6PM.
This event is sponsored by: the Office of the Governor, Governor's Commission on Community and Volunteer Service, Delaware health and Social Services' Division of State Service Centers Office State Office of Volunteerism, and the Delaware Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.
HONOREES ARE ATTACHED Information includes individual winner names, company winner names, winner category, winner geographical origin and bios.
2007 GOVERNOR'S OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS
- INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Judith Beamer, Community Service New Castle County
- Irene Klein, Community Service New Castle County
- Mary Ann Dilworth, Community Service New Castle County
- Mark Oller, Community Service New Castle County
- Robert E. Koelle, Education New Castle County
- Sally L. Pitts-Rakes, Education New Castle County
- Stephen T. Furlong, Education New Castle County
- Wendi Fox-Pedicone, Health New Castle County
- Amy Dubb-Goodman and Jessica Dubb, Health New Castle County
- Julie Wentzell, Health New Castle County
- Kim Petrella, Health, New Castle County
- Wendy R. Shahwan, Human Needs New Castle County
- Brian C. Curley, Human Needs New Castle County
- Ruth Fulmer, Human Needs New Castle County
- William Allen Wheatley, Public Safety New Castle County
- Margaret R. Rivera, Social Justice/Advocacy New Castle County
- Patricia Heather, Human Needs Kent County
- Robert Samuel, Human Needs Kent County
- Phyllis Racz, Public Safety Kent County
- Victor Murray, Community Service Sussex County
- Helen Jean Kruger, Community Service Sussex County
- Pat Drizd, Environment Sussex County
- Elaine C. Moore, Environment Sussex County
- Frances Fisher, Health Sussex County
- Josephine Masten, Public Safety Sussex County
- Civil Air Patrol, Delaware Wing-Officers, Community Service New Castle County
- Claymont Family Health Services Volunteer Physicians, Health
New Castle County
The mission of Claymont Family Health Services is to improve access to health resources, thereby improving the health status for Delaware's 106,000 uninsured residents. This year alone, they have voluntarily provided 1,700 patient appointments. Since the program's inception in 1992, these dedicated medical professionals have provided close to 10,000 hours of volunteer medical services
- PAWS for People Pet Therapy Program, Health New Castle County
- Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village Interpreters Corps, Arts and culture Kent County
Judith Beamer initiated a holiday gift program in partnership with the Division of Child Mental Health Services that has grown into an annual event known as the "Nationwide Financial Network Think of the Child First Holiday Event." The event has benefited over 400 children and their families during the past three holiday seasons.
For more than thirty years, Irene Klein has helped others arrive safely to medical appointments as a volunteer driver with the Wheels Healthcare Transportation program, through New Castle County Community Services. She has also volunteered in many other ways including serving meals to those in need through the Ministry of Caring's Emanuel Dining Room and the Meals on Wheels program.
Mary Ann Dilworth began volunteering with the New Castle County Wheels Healthcare Transportation program in 1974, and 33 years later, is still as active as when she first began! Other aspects of Mary Ann's volunteerism include the Dickinson Theatre Organ Society, the Green Circle Human Relation Program, the Creative Grandparenting Program, Children and Families First, and the Churchwomen United Program.
Mark Oller is a man who has affected many lives throughout New Castle County through his dedicated efforts of volunteerism. Mark works tirelessly with the Wilmington Jaycees and has served in every leadership position within the organization. Through the years, Mark has also served on the Board of "Contact Delaware," as Treasurer of "Prevent Child Abuse in Delaware", and he is working with "Variety-A Children's Charity."
For more than a decade, Bob Koelle has mentored Delaware students through programs such as Creative Mentoring as well as the HOSTS and SMART reading programs. Bob has opened a new world for them through his interest and love of books and reading. Because of his patience and love of helping children, he has touched the lives of many. In addition, Bob has volunteered with the AstraZeneca Technical Team, and has served on the Steering Committee of the Delaware Mentoring Council.
Sally created the "Challenging Yourself Enhances Your Ability to Excel Beyond Remediation" project, which was implemented at A.I. duPont High School in September of 2006, and has now grown to include over 60 individuals. Additionally, the original project has evolved into other programs, the latest being the development of a Peer-Tutoring Center.
Dr. Furlong has been an active leader with the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education since 2004. He has also supported the introduction of science kits in the classroom, participated in Junior Achievement activities, worked with the Red Clay District High Schools to facilitate biotechnical teaching, as well as partnered with the AstraZeneca Technical Team at the duPont Middle School.
Wendi Fox-Pedicone volunteers her time to speak publicly about her experiences fighting breast cancer, and has written a book of hope for others with this devastating disease called "Hanging Out With Lab Coats." She has worked during her treatments to advocate for those fighting breast cancer, and has spoken out on the importance of self-exams, and regular mammograms. In addition, Wendi maintains a web site to offer lifeline support and information to others, allowing others to realize that they are not alone.
In 1995 Amy Dubb-Goodman and Jessica Dubb began their volunteerism at The Wellness Community-Delaware, an organization that provides cancer support services to those with the disease and their families. They continue to be integral to the success of the many fundraising activities that guarantee free services to those in need. Amy and Jessica have made a profound difference in the lives of Delawareans with cancer.
Julie Wentzell has been a volunteer with the Brady Kohn Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the use of umbilical cord blood in non-embryonic stem cell research, since 2005. Through her volunteer role as the Foundation's Community Outreach Chairperson, Julie finds events to reach target audiences, takes responsibility for the logistics of the events, finds volunteers to staff the events, and follows up with contacts after each event.
Kim Petrella, as Vice-President of the Board of Trustees for the Brady Kohn Foundation and oversees the Foundation's Medical Professional Education Committee. She has championed the Foundation’s mission by informing doctors and nursing about the potential of stem cells from umbilical cord blood. Kim's hope and belief is that one day, because of the efforts of the Brady Kohn Foundation, and other such organizations, we will live in a world without wheelchairs or diabetes.
Wendy Shahwan was first introduced to Meals on Wheels in 2000. Within three years, she became the Volunteer Coordinator for the program at AstraZeneca and ever since that time Wendy and her team of 60 volunteers have continued to deliver meals through City Fare. She also volunteers with the Emanuel Dining Room, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser, the Adopt-A-Student Program, the Ronald McDonald House, and Westside Health as well as the Delmarva Rural Ministries and the Wellness Center, in Dover.
Through his volunteer efforts with KINfolk, an organization that provides a variety of free services to seriously ill children in hospitals across the country, Brian Curley has touched the lives of more than 6,000 children at A.I. duPont Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. In his spare time, Brian donates to the Blood Bank of Delmarva, volunteers with the Wilmington Flower Market, is on the National Bone Marrow Registry, and volunteers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the Emergency Services Department.
In her role as Family Room volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, Ruth Fulmer puts the finishing touches on rooms, greets, and helps guests as they arrive and check out, as well as creating unique decorative ornaments for the House's "Giving Tree," on which ornaments are hung on throughout the year to designate donations. Ruth helped to serve each of the 2,225 families that stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in 2006.
William Wheatley has been instrumental in working towards improving his neighborhood and community for all those who live there. He has works closely with local and state law enforcement to reduce vandalism, graffiti, theft, and criminal mischief by forming an active and successful Blockwatch Committee. Mr. Wheatley believes that communities can work together for the good of all.
Margaret Rivera, or Margie as friends know her, has dedicated herself to helping others through ASPIRA, a non-profit organization devoted to the education and leadership development of Latino youth. In addition to ASPIRA, Margie's other volunteer efforts for the Hispanic community include coordinating health screenings, providing information for the uninsured and underinsured population and volunteering at the Latin American Community Center.
In 1956, Patricia Heather was one of a handful of people who helped found the Mid-Del Chapter of the Arc of Delaware, an organization dedicated to advocating for services on behalf of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today the Arc of Delaware has over 200 members. Pat currently serves as President of the Auxiliary of Stockley Center, Coordinator of the Palmer Home Grants for the Arc of Delaware, and is an active member of the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Cognitive Disabilities. Pat also is active in the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the Delaware State Federation of Women, and the Dover Century Club.
Bob Samuel and his two therapy dogs, Mac and Teddy, volunteer their time and hearts by visiting Alzheimer patients at Westminster Healthcare, Green Meadows, and Heritage in Dover. Bob expanded his volunteerism to children, when he and his canine companions began visiting the Kent County Community School and the John Charlton School, where Bob worked with teachers to establish a protocol program for Autistic children.
Phyllis Racz has been serving her community through RSVP volunteer program since 1999. To date, she has donated a total of 1,239 hours of her time through the Kent County TRIAD, a group of officials representing the Delaware Department of Justice and police agencies across the county, helping seniors fight back. Her strong avocation for senior victims of crime has established Phyllis as a leader amongst her peers. She has attended DELJIS training and is now authorized to review court cases and records.
Sussex County
Victor Murray, or "Mr. Vic" as he is fondly called, is known throughout Sussex County. Some of his selfless volunteer efforts include service at YMCA's Camp Tockwogh, the Wilmington Junior Achievement Program, Dagsboro's Church of God's Thanksgiving for Thousands Program, the Wilmington Jaycees, and Mentor Delaware Program. In addition, Victor has been a driving force at the Delaware Special Olympics, which he co-founded and served in the capacities of volunteer, Executive Director, and Treasurer for over 25 years.
Helen Jean Kruger has a long and varied history of serving the residents of Sussex County through many avenues of volunteerism. Her work with the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce resulted in doubling the membership to more than 400. In addition, she is a member of the Rotary Service organization, volunteered with the Pop Warner Football League, the Georgetown Little League, is a member of the World Series Committee, and the Georgetown Historical Society. Additionally, she has served with the American Red Cross, the Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.
When Pat Drizd first met with the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays in July of 2005, it was to discuss the Center’s vision to create a formal volunteer program. Today, because of Pat's efforts, the Center has hundreds of volunteers working in various areas of its mission, including the Terrapin Education and Rescue Project, the Oyster Gardening Program, habitat restoration projects, and the distribution of the Inland Bays Journal to schools and libraries. She also donates her specialized expertise in areas such as pilot services for aerial photography, consultation on land use planning, and computer programming.
Elaine Moore has been a volunteer with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, Inc. since 2002 when she began as a Clinic Support Volunteer. Her role has developed into helping with oil spill recovery efforts, transporting injured birds from the one end of the state to the other, and working to recruit donors, members, and volunteers in Sussex County.
While working at Nanticoke Hospital, Frances saw the need for a surgical waiting room for families of patients having surgery. Through her and one other volunteer's efforts, the doors to the Nanticoke surgical Waiting Room were opened on March 1, 1984. Additionally, Frances has been on the Board of the Nanticoke Senior Center where she organized a major gospel concert earlier this year that raised over much-needed support for the center's building fund. Frances also volunteers double shifts at the Blood Bank of Delaware.
Josephine Masten got a start in volunteerism as a young teen when she began volunteering as a Candy Striper at Milford Memorial Hospital. Within her first year, she gave 1,000 volunteer hours to the hospital where she earned a service pin in recognition of her achievements. In 2004, Josie joined Contact LifeLine as a Rape Crisis volunteer, and to date, has given 4,300 hours of her time to helping victims of sexual violence. In addition, Josie volunteers at Kent General Hospital, Beebe Medical Center, and Nanticoke Hospital.
GROUP AWARDS
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members supervise youth programs by providing orientation flights, encampments, and aero or science related academics for youth during the summer months. In Delaware, adult members have volunteered in excess of 69,000 hours. Their contributions to the community include mentoring and educating youth as well as providing a safer state through educational efforts such as search and rescue, disaster relief, homeland security, and counter-drug missions.
Pet therapy at Christiana Care Health System began in June of 2005 with one pet therapy team from PAWS for People, a non-profit program dedicated to providing comfort to elderly patients who were often lonely and anxiety-filled. Today, Christiana Care Health System has ten active PAWS pet therapy teams that have contributed 1,000 hours of service to elderly patients to date. Because of the success of the PAWS teams in the ACE Unit, other units at CCHS have requested their services.
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.
