United Way to honor volunteers
UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS
April 23, 2006
Published by: Observer & Eccentric
McCrackenUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan will recognize nine individuals and two groups for their outstanding volunteer service and commitment to others at the annual "Celebrate Volunteers ... Recognizing HomeTown Heroes" luncheon set for Monday in Detroit's Marriott Renaissance Center.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the luncheon, billed as one of the largest events of its kind in the nation.
Receiving awards are Patricia McCracken of Livonia, Acts of Kindness Award; Jo Ann Wallace of Southfield, Bernie Firestone Labor Award; Louis Mahoney of Bloomfield Hills, CorPLUS Award; Ernie Cooper of Lathrup Village and Jean Kolod of Rochester Hills, Heart of Gold Award; employees at Daimler Chrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills, Outstanding Business Award.
Also slated to be honored are Girl Scouts of Macomb-Otsikita Council for the Postponing Sexual Involvement Teen Mentor Program which spreads the abstinence message to young girls; Joyce Siegel of Huntington Woods and Mark Williams of Detroit, Heart of Gold Award; Melvina Anderson of Detroit, Young Adult Award of Excellence and Ali Ayoub of Dearborn, Outstanding Youth Award.
In addition, the Junior League of Birmingham will recognize 80 individuals who make up this year's Governor's Honor Roll.
"All of this year's honored volunteers show tremendous commitment to their communities," said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "They are shining examples of the caring spirit this region demonstrates in creating a lasting impact on individuals and organizations in southeast Michigan."
Patricia McCracken of Livonia will receive the Acts of Kindness Award, sponsored by Smooth Jazz V98.7 FM. The award is presented to a person who has demonstrated help and kindness benefiting groups and/or individuals throughout metro Detroit. The station selected the winner among the many metro Detroit residents featured in its weekly Acts of Kindness segment throughout the year
McCracken says she volunteers because "it makes her heart feel good," and she's been at it more than 20 years. A secretary at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Detroit, she has taken charge of her department's Care and Share program for the past two decades. The program collects money and other items to donate to a veteran and his or her family during the holiday season.
This past year, McCracken organized the donations that were given to a local veteran who also takes care of his seven grandchildren. She also volunteers at blood drives the VA Hospital holds three times a year, and serves hot meals to homeless veterans during the winter months.
Each fall, she supports United Way by helping with the Combined Federal Campaign in her office. Outside of her work at the VA, McCracken has volunteered to teach Bible study for the past 15 years at Redford Church of Christ. McCracken was nominated by her co-worker, Mary Ann Rambus. McCracken also received the Bronze Presidential Service Award for volunteering more than 170 hours in the past year.
Employees at DaimlerChrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills will receive the Outstanding Business Award, sponsored by United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Corporate Volunteer Council. The award recognizes businesses that contribute to social and economic development through volunteering. A $1,000 gift is awarded to the agency of the winner's choice.
This year's honorees gave up a holiday party last year to benefit The Boys and Girls Republic in Farmington Hills.
More than 60 employees came out during the winter's only snowstorm in December to give the agency an "Extreme Makeover." In one day, the volunteers painted the interior of the six residential cottages on the organization's campus. After painting, the volunteers hosted a pizza party and spoke to the youth about their careers in the automotive and finance industries. They gave mock interviews, offered success tips, and shared personal and professional experiences.
According to the agency, "the volunteers' time was invaluable, by accomplishing needed projects, but also helping their youth realize and explore future careers and opportunities."
At the end of the service day, the company donated new sheets and mattress pads, items for the agency's Token Economy Store, and new carpet for each of the cottages.
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services was nominated by Stephanie Appel of Boys & Girls Republic. The company also received the Gold Presidential Service Award for the 20,000 hours it gave in the past year.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. For more information go to www.uwsem.org.
April 23, 2006
Published by: Observer & Eccentric
McCrackenUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan will recognize nine individuals and two groups for their outstanding volunteer service and commitment to others at the annual "Celebrate Volunteers ... Recognizing HomeTown Heroes" luncheon set for Monday in Detroit's Marriott Renaissance Center.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the luncheon, billed as one of the largest events of its kind in the nation.
Receiving awards are Patricia McCracken of Livonia, Acts of Kindness Award; Jo Ann Wallace of Southfield, Bernie Firestone Labor Award; Louis Mahoney of Bloomfield Hills, CorPLUS Award; Ernie Cooper of Lathrup Village and Jean Kolod of Rochester Hills, Heart of Gold Award; employees at Daimler Chrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills, Outstanding Business Award.
Also slated to be honored are Girl Scouts of Macomb-Otsikita Council for the Postponing Sexual Involvement Teen Mentor Program which spreads the abstinence message to young girls; Joyce Siegel of Huntington Woods and Mark Williams of Detroit, Heart of Gold Award; Melvina Anderson of Detroit, Young Adult Award of Excellence and Ali Ayoub of Dearborn, Outstanding Youth Award.
In addition, the Junior League of Birmingham will recognize 80 individuals who make up this year's Governor's Honor Roll.
"All of this year's honored volunteers show tremendous commitment to their communities," said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "They are shining examples of the caring spirit this region demonstrates in creating a lasting impact on individuals and organizations in southeast Michigan."
Patricia McCracken of Livonia will receive the Acts of Kindness Award, sponsored by Smooth Jazz V98.7 FM. The award is presented to a person who has demonstrated help and kindness benefiting groups and/or individuals throughout metro Detroit. The station selected the winner among the many metro Detroit residents featured in its weekly Acts of Kindness segment throughout the year
McCracken says she volunteers because "it makes her heart feel good," and she's been at it more than 20 years. A secretary at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Detroit, she has taken charge of her department's Care and Share program for the past two decades. The program collects money and other items to donate to a veteran and his or her family during the holiday season.
This past year, McCracken organized the donations that were given to a local veteran who also takes care of his seven grandchildren. She also volunteers at blood drives the VA Hospital holds three times a year, and serves hot meals to homeless veterans during the winter months.
Each fall, she supports United Way by helping with the Combined Federal Campaign in her office. Outside of her work at the VA, McCracken has volunteered to teach Bible study for the past 15 years at Redford Church of Christ. McCracken was nominated by her co-worker, Mary Ann Rambus. McCracken also received the Bronze Presidential Service Award for volunteering more than 170 hours in the past year.
Employees at DaimlerChrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills will receive the Outstanding Business Award, sponsored by United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Corporate Volunteer Council. The award recognizes businesses that contribute to social and economic development through volunteering. A $1,000 gift is awarded to the agency of the winner's choice.
This year's honorees gave up a holiday party last year to benefit The Boys and Girls Republic in Farmington Hills.
More than 60 employees came out during the winter's only snowstorm in December to give the agency an "Extreme Makeover." In one day, the volunteers painted the interior of the six residential cottages on the organization's campus. After painting, the volunteers hosted a pizza party and spoke to the youth about their careers in the automotive and finance industries. They gave mock interviews, offered success tips, and shared personal and professional experiences.
According to the agency, "the volunteers' time was invaluable, by accomplishing needed projects, but also helping their youth realize and explore future careers and opportunities."
At the end of the service day, the company donated new sheets and mattress pads, items for the agency's Token Economy Store, and new carpet for each of the cottages.
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services was nominated by Stephanie Appel of Boys & Girls Republic. The company also received the Gold Presidential Service Award for the 20,000 hours it gave in the past year.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. For more information go to www.uwsem.org.
Labels: civic engagement, InTheNews
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