Roger Luekens, Chair Foundation Board of the Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso opened up the 2013 Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony sharing a letter from Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas telling all the volunteers, “People like you make Valpo truly a Vale of Paradise.”
With the 14 nominees who were selected to be honored, the committee sure had their work cut out for them to select just one Volunteer of the Year. All nominees were stellar representatives of their organizations; all deserving the honor of being Volunteer of the Year.
Winning the Volunteer of the Year award was Bill George. George was nominated by Family & Youth Services Bureau for his work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. CASA volunteers are assigned by the Porter County Juvenile Court to be the advocate of a child who has been deemed to be abused and/or neglected by their birth family. George gets to know the children and families and works with them to uncover the cause of the abuse, and is always looking out for the best interest of the child. In the last four years he has represented 26 children in 13 families and has volunteered 900 hours as an advocate to children that need him most.
Upon receiving the award, George stated, “I do this work for the love I have for the children. I want each child to live in a stable environment. This job is not always easy; it can be heart-wrenching at times but it is rewarding to see these children and parents turn their lives around, though not always a happy one, seeing them have a happy ending. I am very honored to receive this award.”
A brief synopsis of each nominee was given before the winner was announced with Sue Joys of Altrusa International of the Indiana Dunes being the first volunteer announced. Altrusa International is a global volunteer service organization whose purpose is to promote better communities through service by an international network of people. Joys has been a volunteer with them for over 37 years and has volunteered 475 hours in the past year alone. She gives tirelessly of her time, talents and treasure to every group she serves.
Sue Brown-Nickerson has volunteered with the Calumet Region Striders for over 8 years, but she has moved from the role of President of the Striders to start a youth running program in NWI. She began with 8 kids her first year and ended last year with 188. Her impact on Valparaiso Running has been outstanding. She has devoted herself tirelessly and always focuses on what is best for the kids.
Dr. Bill Steinbrecher was nominated by Hilltop Neighborhood House. With his past connections as an Athletic Director of Valparaiso University, Steinbrecher has been instrumental in getting VU sports teams involved with a number of Hilltop activities. Steinbrecher has been thought of as the heart and soul of Hilltop House for the past 6 years. His selfless dedication and close relationship with the kids is why he was honored.
Darlene Perry of Housing Opportunities, Inc., an organization that is empowering families and individuals by providing access to housing options that are safe, decent and affordable, recognized Perry for her professionalism, compassion, commitment and flexibility. Her commitment goes beyond the clerical responsibilities she volunteers for and has furthered the mission of HO by organizing donations for the Angels Helping Angels Christmas Program and assisting with the HO Food Pantry.
Delores Eagen of the Immanuel Lutheran Food Pantry has volunteered her time for over 12 years. She is a listening ear which enables people to confide in her. She is personable and can be easy to speak with for someone going through a difficult time. Her loving spirit is the key to her success. She is recognized for being compassionate and caring.
Tom Brown is also recognized by Immanuel Lutheran Church as an outstanding example of committed service. Brown heads up mission trips sponsored by the congregation within the U.S.A. and Central America lending a helping hand to construction projects, renovations and disaster clean up.
Perry Riffel was nominated by the Compass Education Program of the NWI Hispanic Mission Society for volunteering as the Citizenship teacher spending more than 3 hours each week planning individualized lessons. The class is free and Perry donates his time to teach the class. 12 of his students have gone on to attain citizenship.
Debra Samahon from Opportunity Enterprises volunteers for the “All About Kids” early intervention playgroup working with 3 year olds assisting Developmental Therapists with children that have developmental needs. Children respond to Samahon because of her calm, caring demeanor. She has been especially helpful with children that have autism by comforting them and helping them transition from activity to activity. She treats each one with dignity, kindness and respect and is known to do it with a smile on her face.
Joe Baker, a fellow Kiwanian, was nominated by the Porter County Career and Technical Center for his outstanding volunteer efforts over the last 2 years. A retired engineer, Baker volunteers in the Electronics and Computer Tech. class providing instruction to students and assisting the students as they work to find solutions to the alternative energy project that is now providing power to the Career Center.
Margy Boyce, nominated by The Caring Place, recently partnered with a group of church women to help clients leaving the shelter set up their first household. “Caring Designs” was born. Caring Designs uses donations of furniture and household items to create beautifully decorated homes. Boyce works with clients individually when they leave the shelter helping the women to increase their independence providing a clean, safe and beautiful home as well as helping provide a new beginning for each woman and child.
SanDee Adams was nominated by Union Township Middle School for her volunteer work as President and Founder of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Working cooperatively with the administration and parents to re-establish the PTO, Adams worked with the goal of enriching school experiences for students. Without her willingness to volunteer the Union Township Middle School would not have the amount and quality of volunteerism it currently has.
Stan Schorum nominated by the Valparaiso Adult Learning Center, a Center of Workforce Innovations Community Education Connection tutors math daily for GED and post-secondary preparation. His greatest asset is his patience with a multitude of learners and learning styles. His efforts show that just one person can make a difference.
Susan Brychell, another Kiwanian, was nominated because of her contributions to the Valparaiso Family YMCA. She served on the “Dancing with the ‘Y’ Stars" that brought $109,000 for the ‘Y’ Capital Campaign and allowed for a matching gift from Urschel Laboratories. She also produced “Fifty, Fit & Fabulous,” a style show to benefit cancer survivors of the “Changing Lives” campaign. The event netted $10,000 for each of the two causes.
President of Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso, Mark Baird closed the ceremony thanking all the volunteers stating, “Thank you all for the passion for which you serve your organizations. Valparaiso is truly a better community because of all you do.”