At United Way's March 10, 2011 Annual Meeting, the following exceptional volunteers were recognized by their agencies for giving their time and talent, working at our agencies to extend our ability to reach those in need. Our thanks and congratulations to these individuals whose contribution of time and talent is so valuable and appreciated.
Achievement Centers for Children
David Dunstan, 5-year volunteer
“David is a true advocate for the children and families we serve,” said Patricia Nobili, President & CEO. “As chairman of the board of directors, David is interested in all aspects of the agency, including the success of programs and fund development. He personally donates to the agency, provides hands-on assistance by hosting gatherings and tours for new donors, and co-chairs the annual golf outing.”
Adult Guardianship Services
Roger Lynch, 17+ year volunteer
“Since 1994, Roger has been the volunteer guardian for four individuals, most recently Donald,” said Barbara Matlak, Volunteer Manager. “Roger was able to direct Donald’s veteran’s pension to help pay for his care at the nursing home, and to initiate a visit from his estranged family when he was hospitalized for the last time. Roger has truly made a difference in the lives of his AGS wards.”
American Red Cross
Tim Gates, 17-year volunteer
“Twice each week, Tim volunteers to help families who have been impacted by a natural or manmade disaster, most commonly a house fire,” said Linda DelMonico, Emergency Services Director. “These clients not only need help with basic needs, but also assistance with longer term recovery. Tim’s problem solving, analytical and empathetic listening skills help many families begin their recovery and return to normalcy.”
Applewood Centers
Starbucks Coffee Company, 4-year volunteer
“For the past four years, Starbucks stores in Greater Cleveland have adopted Applewood Centers during the holiday season by volunteering to place giving trees in their locations,” said Joan Maser, Associate Director. “The program began with 8 stores, and expanded to 16 in 2010, when Starbucks employees and customers donated nearly 700 items that will benefit the youth in our foster care and residential treatment programs throughout the year.”
Arthritis Foundation
Thomas G. Clevidence, 8-year volunteer
“A board member since 2003, Tom currently chairs the Board and Volunteer Development Committee, and serves as a member of the Budget & Finance Committee,” said Mary Kudasick, President & CEO. “His skills in human resources and his gracious, kind nature have served in many capacities. Tom is a true gift to the Foundation and to many whose lives have been impacted by arthritis.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of
Cleveland
Carol Rolf, 15+ year volunteer
“Carol has served as chair of our government & foundation committee, member of the fundraising team, board representative at the state level of BGCA, and currently serves as board secretary and a member of the executive committee,” said Ron Soeder, President. “She is a tireless advocate for BGCC, and regularly introduces her friends and colleagues to our mission and the need for after school programming.”
Business Volunteers Unlimited
Crystal Parkman, 6-month volunteer
“Crystal is an example of a retiree who continues to give back to the community through volunteering. Since the end of August 2010, she has logged over 325 hours as a Volunteer Center Referral Specialist,” said Roseanne Deucher, Director, The Volunteer Center at BVU. “She is hard working, diligent, detail oriented, and is an integral part of our staff. Our entire Volunteer Center revolves around the work that she does.”
Center for Families & Children
Linda Schneider, 15-year volunteer
“Linda joined our Board of Directors in 1995, and in 2009 she became one of three life directors,” said Linda Miller, Volunteer Coordinator. “As co-chair of our program and operating committee, she works closely with administration and staff to develop a financial optimization plan for the early learning program, working toward the goal of ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining high quality services.”
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
Donald Messinger, 30+ year volunteer
“Don was a driving force behind our new facility, involved with everything from the sale of our former location to the land purchase and new construction. He played an active role on the campaign committee and assisted with raising nearly $6 million,” said Bernard Henri, Executive Director. “A two-term president, chair of facilities planning, and member of board development and finance committees, he has touched all areas of CHSC.”
Cleveland Mediation Center
Bob Shields, 3.5-year volunteer
“Bob has remained a faithful, dedicated volunteer since completing his mediation training in 2007. He comes in weekly to perform mediations with landlords and tenants, and others,” said Elizabeth Ackerman, Program & Fund Development Associate. “An impartial facilitator, Bob helps people express themselves more openly and reach agreements that benefit both sides. He is someone we can always count on, and we truly value his time and talent.”
Cleveland Sight Center
Robert Kihm, 6-year volunteer
“Mr. Kihm exemplifies the dedication of our volunteers. At least once a month he travels to the agency, taking a total of six buses, to spend a full day repairing white canes,” said Jenny Kellogg, Volunteer Coordinator. “Legally blind due to macular degeneration, he understands the challenges faced by our clients. The canes he repairs help clients preserve their ability to navigate safely and independently.”
Diabetes Association of Greater
Cleveland
Bill Durica, 5-year volunteer
“Bill volunteers tirelessly on carpentry projects for the aging Camp Ho Mita Koda facilities,” said Helen Dumski, President & CEO. “”Over the years, his carpentry expertise has helped maintain the historical integrity of many original elements of the camp, including totem poles carved by the camp’s founder. Thanks to his efforts, today’s campers are able to experience the rich history of Camp Ho Mita Koda.”
Domestic Violence Center
Sharon Neu, 4.5-year volunteer
“Sharon works 3-4 days per week on our Crisis Hotline, keeps our database system up-to-date, and assists our volunteer program in whatever way is needed,” said Deby Auerbach-Brown, Development Associate. “She goes above and beyond what we ask of volunteers, and is efficient and competent in all that she does. Plus, she understands domestic violence so well – she is amazing when working with clients.”
Fairhill Partners
Joseph Ferritto, 2-year volunteer
“In addition to being a peer leader in our caregiver program, Joe’s primary responsibility is to oversee the data gathering and entry needed for grant and contract documentation and evaluation, and program improvement, “ said Stacey Rokoff, Director of Successful Aging Programs. “His efforts have resulted in an improved evaluation process that has helped us better understand the demographics of the people we serve.”
Far West Center
Josef Vyvoda, 6-year volunteer
“As a Compeer Volunteer, Josef is matched with Norm, who has great anxiety related to going out and socializing. Thanks to Josef’s ongoing and unconditional friendship, Norm is more willing to go out, meet others, and re-engage in community activities,” said Denise Ayers, Compeer Program Coordinator. “Josef also offers support to Norm’s mother, attends many Compeer events, and helps other adults managing severe mental illness.”
The Free Medical Clinic of Greater
Cleveland
Scott Euype, 8-year volunteer
“Scott, an independently licensed physical therapist (PT), has been instrumental in recruiting additional professional PT volunteers and students to provide quality physical therapy services to the uninsured community,” said Melissa Ghoston, Director of Volunteer & External Relations. “In addition to his clinical skills, Scott is an enthusiastic member of our Associate Board, assisting in fundraisers and helping promote our organization in the community.”
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
Julie Miragliotta, 5-year volunteer
“Julie’s dedication to Girl Scouting is outstanding. She is currently the leader of a very large troop in Parma that is very involved in the community,” said Katie Carver, Membership Development Specialist. “She inspires her troop to help others, is quick to assist other members of both the Girl Scout and Parma communities and is a positive influence in the lives of her troop members.”
Golden Age Centers of Greater Cleveland
William Hodge, 10-year volunteer
“Bill has been the volunteer President of our Gunning Park Membership Association for the past four years, where he volunteers every day to help the center meet the needs of area seniors,” said Angela Velasquez, President & CEO. “Those who come in for daily lunch enjoy his cheery personality and great sense of humor. Bill brightens the day of everyone he comes in contact with.”
Greater Cleveland Volunteers
Sol Shack, 29-year volunteer
“As Sol says, he volunteers ‘eight days a week’ at Montefiore, organizing games, visiting, and doing whatever he can to bring a smile to the faces of residents,” said Susan Smith, Special Project Coordinator. “A 2010 Plain Dealer “hero”, Sol is also a GVC Birthday Caller, phoning volunteers on their birthday to wish them a happy day. This 90-year-old lives to bring joy into the lives of others.”
Hitchcock Center for Women
Mary Lamar, 1-year volunteer
“Mary’s commitment to the confidentiality of our clients and her transparency in sharing her own life experiences – challenges and successes – makes a true impact on the women we serve,” said Tracey Root, Volunteer Coordinator. “Mary comes to Hitchcock because she loves the women at the center. She does not judge others in any situation, which is what truly makes her a stand out volunteer.”
Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Marci Moses, 8-year volunteer
“Marci volunteers her human resources expertise as a Super Volunteer, assisting our staff with time-limited and ongoing programs. Her involvement has enabled our staff to create and implement new projects that would not have been possible without her help,” said Karen Steiger, Director, Jewish Volunteer Network. “Thanks to her assistance, we are able to continue to meet human and social service needs locally, nationally and internationally.”
LEAP (Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential)
Charles Heindrichs, 4-year volunteer
“As board president, Chuck does a fantastic job of representing LEAP to supporters, foundations and funders,” said Melanie Hogan, Executive Director. “No task is too large or too small. His leadership helped complete a strategic analysis that included moving the main office, and on moving day, he helped assemble office furniture. It’s rare to find someone who gives as energetically, unselfishly, and with such unfailing good humor as Chuck.”
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
The Honorable Burt W. Griffin, 50+ year volunteer
“As a member of the judiciary, Judge Griffin has helped raise awareness of Legal Aid and the issues our clients face,” said Melanie Shakarian, Director of Development. “In 2010, he helped organize a visit to Cleveland by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The many community leaders who attended the event learned about the importance of our work and left with a better understanding of our clients.”
Long Term Care Ombudsman
Robert Blasko, 22-year volunteer
“Bob’s regular advocacy visits take him to 15 nursing homes, 18 residential care facilities and 18 adult care facilities. In addition to observing conditions and providing accurate documentation, Bob is trained to hand simple complaints, and gather information about more complex complaints that are referred back to staff,” said Laureanne Scharf, Volunteer Coordinator. “In 2010, Bob assisted over 485 residents during his 134.6 hours of volunteer service.”
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Martha Brandt-Pollock, 2-year volunteer
Martha is a consistent, thoughtful, devoted educator; a gracious listener; and a generous volunteer who is respected and admired by our clients, who interact with her regularly and happily,” said Annie Holden, Vista Volunteer. “She leads our poetry and creative writing workshops, and constantly seeks out donations of needed toiletries, clothing and more.”
Merrick House
Lorraine Thwaite, 12-year volunteer
“Lorraine’s warm and generous leadership style has served Merrick House well in the past, allowing our board to maintain clear objectives and work to fulfill our mission,” said Kathy Marsh, Executive Director. “When not serving on the board, Lorraine remained an active volunteer. Her willingness to again volunteer to serve as board chairman, during what will be a reorganization and rebuilding period, is greatly appreciated.”
Phillis Wheatley Association
Thomas V. Harrington, 10+ years volunteer
“Thom was chairman of the board at a critical time in the history of The Phillis Wheatley Association. He provided exceptional leadership and support to enable the agency to perform a number of significant steps to restore its vitality,” said Jacquelyn Bradshaw, Executive Director. “He continues to demonstrate success analyzing the agency’s financial data and is a dedicated and capable leader.”
Recovery Resources
Victor F. Faris, 6+ year volunteer
“A thoughtful, hardworking and ethical volunteer, Mr. Faris is our Treasurer, chair of the Finance Committee and the Strategic Alliance Committee which is currently facilitating and managing the acquisition process of a partner agency,” said Natalie Friedl, Development Director. “During this transition, Mr. Faris has provided a depth and scope of expertise and compassion that ensured the decision for partnership was best for all involved.”
Transitional Housing, Inc.
Marsha Voss-Coffman, 12+ year volunteer
“Marsha has been a dedicated volunteer for many years, collecting and preparing items including magazines, school supplies, clothing, jewelry and holiday gifts for the 61 clients who reside with us,” said Jane Amata, Volunteer Coordinator. “She has also spent countless hours encouraging area business owners, and her friends and family members to become involved with Transitional Housing, Inc. Her commitment to the agency is never ending.”
United Cerebral Palsy
Tania Younkin, 3-year volunteer
“As a parent of a child who participates in UCP programs, Tania has dedicated the past three years to raising funds and awareness, ” said Beth Lucas, Director of Development. “She has recruited 110+ racers to the Cleveland Triathlon (participating herself, along with daughter Elsie in an adapted stroller) and raised nearly $100,000 for agency programs. Her support and willingness to share Elsie’s story has inspired our community to care.”
Vocational Guidance Services
Daniel J. Frate, 7-year volunteer
“As Chair of the Development Committee, Dan is the volunteer leader of all of our fundraising efforts,” said Adam Ross, Development Director. “From the start of his tenure as VGS’ Development Committee Chair in 2005, Dan has enhanced the level of board involvement in the development process and donor outreach, leading to stronger annual fund support. VGS is a stronger agency today thanks to his commitment.”
West Side Catholic Center
Ken Pattison, 3-year volunteer
“Ken has a way of breaking down barriers and connecting with our clients. He interacts with a natural grace and patience that bestows dignity on clients who can be isolated due to trauma they have experienced,” said Terrie Garr, Volunteer & Donor Services Coordinator. “He can assist in any of our programs, and goes above and beyond our expectations to provide clients with a positive experience.”
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Brian Broadbent, 6-year volunteer
“As chairman of our governance committee, a member of our executive committee, and part of our leadership team that just completed a merger, Brian leads by example in all things,” said Carol Rivchun, President. “His positive attitude motivates our entire staff and board, and his sensitivity and caring toward people and what is best for our community is visible in every project he takes on.”
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