Sharing Service Stories » Community / Organizational Development

Susan Maxam: Passing on the Tradition of Public Service

fordrm — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:24:56 +0000

Susan Maxam’s commitment to helping the underprivileged and trying to safeguard our
environment began during her college years when she spent time in Latin America working in refugee camps, orphanages, prisons and shantytowns. She has since been engaged in innumerable activities to benefit many causes, both local and global, and has involved her family, students, and colleagues. At Pace University she introduced a mandatory service component into the curriculum, participated in ongoing projects benefiting the Westchester Women’s Shelter, led Earth Month activities, and co-founded the Peace and Justice Committee. She also volunteers for Jua, a nonprofit organization providing solar lighting to rural Kenyan schools. This summer, she’ll travel to Kenya with her family to work with Orphans International and Jua.

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Emily Stinehart: Passing on the Tradition of Helping Others

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:50:34 +0000

Emily Stinehart became active in community service after her family was assisted during challenging times. She volunteered at countless events, including local coat checks, recycling drives, bake sales and library programs, while still in high school. As a University of Toledo student, Emily volunteers and provides leadership within the Circle K organization, a student based group that fosters volunteerism in tandem with a local Kiwanis Club. Currently serving as district secretary, Emily is running for lieutenant governor in the northwest Ohio district. Through her service with Circle K, Emily has interacted with the following organizations: the Josina Lott Center, Toledo Head Start Program, Cherry Street Mission and Six Cent Initiative.

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Thomas Walters – Creating Life-Changing Experiences for Youth

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:03:20 +0000

In his local community, Wake Forest, Thomas Walters has been a city councilman and director of the Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the fire department, mentored the high school Key Club, sponsored programs that benefit non-profit organizations and sponsored hundreds of youth athletic programs – but his passion is the YMCA of the Triangle. For the past 11 years, he has helped create several programs that are helping local families. Thomas has been instrumental in making the WeBuildPeople program into what it is today- providing life-changing experiences for children, teens, adults, and families through YMCA tutoring, mentoring, camping, aquatics, sports, wellness and many other vital programs and services – assuring that no one is turned away due to lack of funds.

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Salesianum School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Delaware

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:56:53 +0000

Salesianum School seniors Robert Liszkiewicz and Dominic Taglione became involved with the Jefferson Awards in 2006. Due to their leadership, and the support of Mrs. Dolores Ballintyn, Salesianum School is being honored as the Jefferson Awards National Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School. In addition to recognizing those classmates who have gone beyond their call to service, the boys initiated many programs this year, including a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Salesianum, raising money and awareness for the Jefferson Awards. They also gave their own time volunteering with the Blue/Gold Foundation, the Ronald Mc Donald House and mentoring students at Nativity Prep of Wilmington. Their efforts to solidify the seven deliverables at Salesianum has shaped a strong program, dedicated to service in the Salesianum Community.

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Lake Brantley High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Orlando

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:47:38 +0000

Alyssa Smith, Tami Segal, Casey O’Grady, and Rachael Houston are Student Leaders in the Jefferson Awards program, Leadership class, and Student Government at Lake Brantley. Alyssa, a second year YSI leader, is active in various activities and will attend LSU in the fall. Tami is involved in crew, her youth group, and Darfur activism. Casey swims year-round, plays soccer and is a member of National Honor Society. Rachael is captain of the basketball team, writes for the school newspaper, and participates in drama. All are widely involved in the Central Florida community and their leadership within our school inspires others.

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RB Stall High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Charleston

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:30:52 +0000

Ja’Rod Foster, William Sanders and Vanessa Sorto were senior leaders for the Youth Service Initiative at RB Stall this year. These outstanding leaders have served their school and community by working to establish the Jefferson Awards program during its first year at Stall. Under their direction the program flourished and many students were nominated and recognized for volunteer service. Each of these students has also volunteered in their community. Ja’Rod works with student government and is a member of the School Improvement Council. As a member of the National Honor Society, William is a mentor to fellow students, helping them achieve academic excellence. Vanessa was a monthly winner of the YSI service award for her work with Habitat for Humanity.

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St. Agnes Academy: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Memphis

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:09:57 +0000

Memphis’ Student Leaders, Mary Kate Walsh and Mary Griffin Tate have excelled in driving the YSI program within their school. Since entering high school, each has become a proven leader and has taken an active role in the Memphis community including Habitat for Humanity. As President of the Habitat club, Mary Kate led efforts to raise $1,000 towards the cost of a home for a deserving family. She is a member of Le Bonheur Teens which helps raise money and help with the kids in Le Bonheur Hospital. In addition to implementing the YSI program, Mary Griffin is active in Bridge Builders and has been listed on the Summa Cum Laude Dean’s List the past three years. Bridge Builders is a two year youth leadership and diversity training program that focuses on bringing together young people from different segments of the Memphis community and providing shared experiences. Mary Kate and Mary Griffin display a sense of community and stewardship that should be expected from the rest of the Memphis community.

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Savannah Arts Academy: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Savannah

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:46:42 +0000

Catherine Mulligan and Tilly Isaacson are honored to represent the student leadership team from Savannah Arts Academy. This is Savannah Arts Academy’s first year of participation in the Jefferson Awards program. The team has worked diligently during a short amount of time to spread the word about the Jefferson Awards to their fellow students. Catherine and Tilly are determined to encourage their classmates to take part in community service and motivate them to start their own projects. Catherine, a sophomore dance major, uses her talents by performing at nursing homes and other charitable events as well as teaching younger students. Tilly, a junior theater major, enjoys contributing to the community through student government groups such as Chatham County Youth Commission and Youth Futures Authority.

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St. Francis de Sales High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Toledo

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:04:28 +0000

Through Leadership Toledo, the Youth Service Initiative was launched mid-year in four schools in the Toledo region. Samuel Evola took the reigns, leading the program to be the first school to recognize a student with the Jefferson Award. Samuel is involved in many school activities, sports and has volunteered countless hours. Jonathan Niese was the first award recipient from St. Francis de Sales and was chosen because of his more than 300 hours of community service. Some of his volunteer activities are service projects in Appalachia and volunteering as a spotter for “Lose the Training Wheels,” a program that teaches disabled children how to ride bicycles.

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Lynn Falanga: Bringing Her Energy to Ending Hunger

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:30:39 +0000

Lynn Falanga manages the daily operations of the National Grid Community Volunteers (Community Volunteers) and is the main contact between the agencies they serve, the community, and the volunteer group. In 2005, the Community Volunteers began a partnership with Island Harvest, the third largest food rescue organization in the U.S., to assist them in their mission to end hunger on Long Island. With an initial group of 10 employees, the Community Volunteers served as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those that need it. Today, 150+ Community Volunteers give up their lunch hours Monday – Friday to pick up surplus food and deliver to a network of community-based non-profit organizations that distribute the food to the needy.

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Jeffrey Benesch: Helping Bring Hands-On Learning into the Classroom

Inglis Leslie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:42:09 +0000

Jeff has melded his childhood passion for science with his desire to improve education, by helping Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT) to grow its programs. RAFT helps students learn math and science, through giving teachers the techniques and materials to provide hands-on learning experiences in the classroom. He initially led a pro bono growth strategy and now serves as Board Chairman. He plans to help RAFT expand in California and Colorado, enabling them to reach an additional 4000 teachers in the next 2 years. Previously, Jeff volunteered with InnVision, Silicon Valley’s largest provider of services to homeless and at-risk families. There, he created multiple events, such as one-day shelter makeovers where volunteers remodeled centers for homeless families and the mentally ill.

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