9/21/2005
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Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622 |
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Mayor, Mrs. Peterson honor volunteers
INDIANAPOLIS - At a ceremony today, Mayor Bart Peterson and Indianapolis First Lady Amy Minick Peterson honored 10 local volunteers with the 2005 Mayor’s Community Service Award.
"The passion and dedication that the award recipients bring to our community clearly show in the hours they put in, the results they get, and the admiration of their peers," said Mayor Peterson. "Our community is a significantly better place because they are here. We are lucky to have them among us."
Since 1993, more than 500 Indianapolis volunteers have been recognized for their contributions to community service. Today’s volunteers, as well as the recipients of the 2000 through 2004 Mayor’s Community Service Award, are honored with personalized, engraved bricks that comprise the Mayor’s Community Service Award Plaza. The plaza, located at the northern end of the Downtown Canal Walk extension, consists of nearly 2,000 bricks and was dedicated in October 2001.
"The downtown Canal Walk, with its mix of residents and visitors, is the perfect place to showcase the achievements of our citizens," the Mayor added.
Criteria for Mayor’s Community Service Award applicants included performance of direct personal service and demonstration of initiative in volunteer activities. All categories of applicants were encouraged, from the arts to special needs to education.
"The winners of this year’s Mayor’s Community Service Award are the embodiment of our Hoosier spirit," said Amy Minick Peterson, the event’s honorary chairperson. "Each day these people mentor children, make our neighborhoods cleaner and safer, advocate for the arts - they make our city a much better place. I’m astounded at their energy and drive to help others and I have great admiration for them."
Applicants representing a diverse range of community service activities received awards. Recipients of the 2005 Mayor’s Community Service Awards are listed below.
Mark Norman
James Dotts
Norman Pace
Janet Barb
Joan Marsden
Ken Honeywell
Rachel Cooper
Myrtis Ross
Tim McCall
George Wagner
2005 Mayor’s Community Service Award Recipients
Mark Norman’s contributions and commitment to the youth of Indianapolis is exemplary. His nominator says, "Mark embodies the spirit and purpose of the Mayor’s Community Service Award." Mark is passionate about his community involvement with the Lilly Boys & Girls Club and has been for the last sixteen years. Mark spends 25-30 hours a month on various activities at the club. His many roles as mentor, leader, chaperone, and tutor led one young member to say, "When Mark helps me, I learn more." Mark builds a relationship with the children and in the process builds the trust necessary to help with their abilities. In Mark’s words, " I know my time and effort working with the kids is well worth it, they are our future."
Norman Pace’s commitment, vision and service has increased the level of community awareness, dialogue and collaboration on matters of land use, sign regulation, township beautification and tree preservation in Marion County. He has encouraged many new neighborhood groups to organize and act effectively to preserve their communities. Norm has improved citizen participation and agency accountability. Norm sees the interconnectedness in the many varied neighborhood issues and seeks to address these issues with vigor and passion.
As vice chairperson for the Coalition of Northeast Neighborhoods Beautification Committee and as Crime Watch Captain, Joan Marsden volunteers on many different levels including neighborhood anti-crime rallies and working with the Weed and Seed organization. The children in her community are very close to her heart. Joan found sponsors to help restore a forgotten playground, called the Forest Manor Baseball Field, and she sought out finances to purchase equipment for the baseball diamond and the players.
Since 1994, Rachel Cooper has worked tirelessly in her neighborhood. Since then, its first playground and baseball diamond were built adjacent to School # 39. Rachel continues to serve as president of the Southeast Community Organization participating in "anti-drug campaigns," attending meetings, checking on senior neighbors, and providing families in need with clothing and household items. Rachel’s nominator said, "Rachel does what she does out of a need and desire to help people."
Since May 2000, Tim McCall and James Dotts have been dynamic in the "We Care Association" by raising money for community projects and activities such as National Night Out. They are active in a Crime Watch Block Club to reduce crime in their neighborhood, and with the Indianapolis Police Department to improve quality of life issues for all Indianapolis residents. James and Tim organize and conduct alley clean ups. Along with the help of community members, this year alone they removed more than 30 tons of trash and rubbish throughout the streets of their Westside community. Their next goal is to clean up the railroad tracks that run through their neighborhood. Their nominator, Jeff Dishman says, "They truly care about their neighborhood."
Janet Barb, president of the Women’s Committee of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has that "I know I can" attitude. Janet oversees a complex array of projects such as Junior Group’s Symphony in Color, which reaches 35,000 Indiana students. Other projects include creating community-wide fundraisers, inspiring Orchestra members, and encouraging new volunteers. Janet started the Christmas Holiday Craft Show which is now one of the city’s largest and longest running holiday festivities. She has served in all major roles with the Women’s Committee for more than 25 years, and in her current role she has brought unparalleled vision to the organization.
Ken Honeywell has started a whole new tradition of giving in Indianapolis. Ken came to Second Helpings with an idea for a fundraiser. Now in its fourth year, the Tonic Ball, a benefit fundraiser, collaborates with local bands and musicians to put on a benefit concert for Second Helpings. Ken wanted to bring together musicians and expose them to Second Helpings. In 2003, the Tonic Gallery was added which features local artists. The combined events raised more than $20,000 and generated great publicity for Second Helpings. Ken’s marketing expertise helped Second Helpings to solidify its message and market services to the needy, while increasing awareness to potential donors. Just as important, several people began volunteering for Second Helpings after attending these events.
Myrtis Ross has been an active volunteer in the Marion County Jail Chaplaincy Department for more than 25 years. Myrtis’ dedication, faithfulness and concern for the inmates are unsurpassed. She volunteers two or three times a week to counsel inmates and to uplift them spiritually. Myrtis has maintained a pattern of consistency that other volunteers have been unable to maintain. She also is a mother and grandmother, but she takes time assisting with weekly services and special holiday services, passing out hygienic supplies, and ministering to those less fortunate than herself.
When George Wagner first came to The Children’s Museum as a volunteer, he was 76 years old. George has worked as part of a team of volunteers who assist staff in creating, designing, building and repairing exhibit components throughout the museum. George has been the "go to" man on this team for his woodworking skills. His knowledge and workmanship has benefited the museum and its exhibits for the years in which he has served. George has lived his life helping others and has used his extraordinary craftsman skills to improve the conditions wherever he has been in a lasting and visible way. To sum it up: Years of volunteering, 14; Hours each month, 25; Dollar value of services, $114,000; George’s age, 90; What George means to our community, Priceless!
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