United Way highlights local volunteers

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

May 3, 2006

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

For Southfield resident Jo Ann Wallace, volunteering isn’t something she does for recognition, it’s akin to taking care of one’s own children — it’s something you just do.

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan passed out 11 major awards and recognized 80 people who made the Governor’s Honor Roll of volunteers named by different organizations. The awards were passed out during a ceremony that included quite a bit of fanfare late last month in the Renaissance Center.

“All of this year’s honored volunteers show tremendous commitment to their communities,” said United Way for Southeastern Michigan President and CEO Michael Brennan. “They are shining examples of the caring spirit this region demonstrates in creating a lasting impact on individuals and organizations in southeast Michigan.

“We’ve seen the importance of volunteers year after year after year,” he said.

Besides appearances by Brennan and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the event featured the Pistons’ Drum Line.

Kilpatrick acknowledged his mother for making sure he took part in many programs that use volunteers to serve the community.

“There would be no way I would be standing here, but for people like you,” Kilpatrick said.

“You are truly earning your keep here on this planet,” he said.

Wallace’s main volunteer efforts go to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 345.

She took the Bernie Firestone Labor Award for work performed by a labor union member.

Through the Community Services Committee, she has helped out with projects like Paint the Town, put together gift baskets for needy families, and cooked for volunteers who have made wheelchair ramps for those in need, according to the United Way.

“I appreciate it so much, but I feel so guilty receiving an award for things you enjoy doing,” Wallace said.

Southfield Council member Myron Frasier said he isn’t surprised to see that a Southfield resident made the list of 11 award recipients.

“It’s always great to see that people are willing to volunteer, and it’s doubly great to have someone from Southfield who’s recognized,” he said. “It makes me proud.”

A Lathrup Village resident also took one of the 11 big awards. Ernie Cooper was given one of four Heart of Gold Awards. His work includes serving as the supervisor of the Common Ground crisis hotline.

“I was very surprised,” Cooper said. “I didn’t know I’d been nominated.”

He considers his work rewarding.

“When I go home, it feels like I’ve made a difference in somebody’s life,” Cooper said.

Even though the United Way is recognizing local volunteers, Cooper recognized the United Way’s contribution to community organizations as well.

“Their fund-raising ability is phenomenal,” he said. “It’s really hard to imagine how many charities would go belly-up without their help.”

Another Heart of Gold award recipient was Jean Kolod of Rochester Hills, who has been giving museum tours to children at the Detroit Institute of Arts for years.

She said she was “humbled and very honored” to hear she earned an award from the United Way.

“It’s worth it to come downtown,” Kolod said of her long commute from Rochester Hills to the DIA.

Helping children take their first steps into the world of art is something she enjoys.

“It’s so much fun to introduce it to students,” she said.

All of Macomb County has something to be proud of because the Girl Scouts of Macomb-Otsikita Council’s Postponing Sexual Involvement Teen Mentor Program took the Exemplary Group Service Award.

The program works in conjunction with the county’s Abstinence Partnership.

The girls act as mentors after 21-hours of training so that they can talk to other teens about abstinence.

“The program works because it’s teens talking to teens,” said Girl Scouts of Macomb County Acting CEO Ava Danner.

The mentors range from 11 to 17, and some enjoy working on the program so much they’ve participated for five years.

The mentors attend a three-night event with more than 100 girls and their parents to talk about abstinence with the teen mentors. The parents get information in a separate area to discuss issues like how to talk to teens.

“A lot of times, I hear from parents that they wish every teen could take this class,” Danner said.

The girls were excited to be at the United Way awards ceremony.

“It’s our first award,” said Britney Helsing of Chesterfield Township. “It’s really neat to see the girls and how they learn things. A lot of the girls come back as teen mentors themselves.”

Other winners were Melvina Anderson of Detroit for the Young Adult Award of Excellence, Ali Ayoub of Dearborn for the Outstanding Youth Award, employees at DaimlerChrysler Financial Services in Farmington Hills in the category of Outstanding Business Award, Louis Mahoney of Bloomfield Hills for the CorPLUS Award, Mark Williams of Detroit and Joyce Siegel of Huntington Woods as Heart of Gold recipients, and Patricia McCracken of Livonia for the Acts of Kindness Award.

You can reach April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com