UWCE Hands On Savannah honors outstanding volunteers at 31st Annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Luncheon
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| UWCE Hands On Savannah honors outstanding volunteers at 31st Annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Luncheon |
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| Tuesday, 27 April 2010 18:51 |
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Savannah, GA (April 28, 2010) – It’s raining volunteers in the Coastal Empire! Today, United Way Hands On Savannah takes great pleasure in announcing winners and finalists of this year’s Volunteer Recognition Awards at a luncheon at Savannah Station. The Volunteer Recognition Awards honor extraordinary people who have generously contributed their time, talents and energies to benefit Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty county communities. “We are very fortunate to have strong, dedicated volunteers of all ages who assist our community in so many vital ways – from reading to children to providing clerical services. These volunteers are the glue that holds our non-profit organizations together and the guiding force in initiating positive change in our community,” remarked Shirley Sessions, Director of United Way Hands On Savannah. Selected from a field of 65 nominees, a winner and a finalist were recognized in each of four categories: Youth Individual (18 years or younger), Adult Individual, Youth Group (three or more volunteers, 18 years or younger) and Adult Group (three or more volunteers). Youth Individual Category (18 years or younger) The winner of the Youth Individual category is Catherine Mulligan. Ms. Mulligan is dedicated, enthusiastic and willing to commit to helping others through volunteering; all of which has made her appointment to Savannah Arts Academy’s prestigious Student Ambassador Program a logical choice. However, it was after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that she took her spirit of service to a new level when she got involved with raising awareness and hundreds of dollars toward breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The finalist of the Youth Individual category is Jessica Cheeseman. Despite her demanding course load as a student driven to succeed in high school and in preparation for college, Jessica Cheeseman spends countless hours in service on the Ronald McDonald House Teen Board. When she isn’t preparing meals for the guests, cleaning the facility or assisting with filing, Jessica can be found doing what she enjoys most – visiting with family members as they await news about the status of their children’s illness or injury. Her caring personality, thoughtfulness and kindness are rays of sunshine during a time of stress and uncertainty to many families. Adult Individual Category (Tie) The winners of the Adult Individual category are Carol Megathlin and Cindy Kicklighter. Carol Megathlin is proof that one person can make a difference in the lives of many. Since beginning the Adop-a-Soldier program in 2007, Carol’s dedication has brought 3,000 volunteers and 10,000 soldiers together. What began with a few patriotic citizens has blossomed into a national initiative to provide support and care to deployed soldiers through care packages, e-mails and letters. Cindy Kicklighter, herself the victim of a violent crime, has been a dedicated volunteer for the Chatham County Victim-Witness Assistance program for five years. Described as a lifesaver by staff, Cinty gives back by providing victims with information and assistance, and by listening to them as only a fellow survivor can. With compassion, patience and smile, Cindy has committed herself to easing the burden for victim witnesses. The finalist of the Adult Individual category is Lamar Deloach. For farmer Lamar Deloach, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which is why he knew there was something wrong with plowing under perfectly nutritious produce that doesn’t pass USDA cosmetic standards. Now, through Lamar’s vision and with the help of Effingham County community partners, The Farmer’s Garden program provides fresh, local fruits and vegetables to hungry families in every season. Youth Group Category (18 years or younger, three or more volunteers) The winner of the Youth Group category is Johnson High School International Baccalaureate volunteers. When 40 students who are taking rigorous, comprehensive curriculum in connection with Johnson High Schools International Baccalaureate program decide to find time – like 2,000 hours – to volunteer within the nonprofit community, magic happens. Agencies like America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Ronald McDonald House, People Helping People and various community gardens reap the rewards of these energetic students, while Johnson High School’s International Baccalaureate Senior Class receive the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a positive difference in their community. The finalist of the Youth Group category is Youth For A Cleaner Environment volunteers. Ranging in ages from five and up, members of Youth for a Cleaner Environment (YFACE) participates in a variety of activities throughout the year that promote environmental awareness through personal responsibility and ownership of their community. Working in partnership with organizations such as Savannah Tree Foundation and Rivers Alive, YFACE has planted hundreds of trees and picked up untold pounds of litter in rivers, streams and marshes. They also have created their own signature projects including Recycling Roundup, Healthy Kids First and Adopt a Senior’s Yard. Adult Group Category (three or more volunteers) The winner of the Adult Group category is Interfaith Hospitality Network Volunteer Coordinators. Without the organizational skills and dedication that the Interfaith Hospitality Network Volunteer Coordinators provide, hundreds of homeless families with children who participate in this program may not be able to find help, hope and hospitality during a most challenging time. These dedicated volunteers welcome families into a hospitable atmosphere and prepare nutritious meals, safe sleeping accommodations and compassionate care. They’re responsible for setting up teams, welcoming committees and dinner/ overnight hosts. The finalist of the Adult Group category is Shepherd’s Supper Super Stars. Thanks to the devotion of the Shepherd’s Supper Super Stars and their divine cooking skills, a weekly meal is prepared and delivered to the homes of low-income elderly and persons on disability in the rural community of North Bryan County. This dedicated group prepares and delivers not only a nutritious meal and a small Bonus Bag of groceries, but a smile and a kind word as well. The Herschel V. Jenkins Volunteer of the Year Award, honoring the late Herschel V. Jenkins, a visionary and a community building volunteer who believed in the work of United Way and the importance of giving back to the community, was selected from winners in the above four categories. The award went to Interfaith Hospitality Network Volunteer Coordinators. A monetary prize of $1,000 is awarded to Interfaith Hospitality Network in honor of the organization’s volunteer coordinators. Additionally, Barbara Goldsmith with Royce Learning Center received The Anne Moy Education Award for her outstanding dedication and service in the field of education. The award is dedicated in memory of the late Anne Moy, a retired educator and a dedicated United Way volunteer. United Way Hands On Savannah thanks “Girlfriends” for presenting the awards and making the celebration an eventful afternoon, along with the generous support of the valued sponsors, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and NuStar Asphalt Refining. Special thanks also go out to a panel of community volunteers who took extra time evaluating each nominee. Serving as Volunteer Recognition Awards judges are Susan Hancock, Abshire Public Relations and Marketing; Michelle Hetager, BB&T Bank; Michael A. Kaigler, Chatham County Government; Letty Shearer, Armstrong Atlantic State University; Dr. Malik Watkins, University of Georgia; and Margaret Williams, City of Savannah. View a complete list of nominees (program book) (PDF). View photos from the Volunteer Recognition & Awards Luncheon. |