30th annual Volunteer of the Year award winners announced
Outstanding volunteer teams and individuals were recognized on April 28 at the 30th annual Volunteers of the Year Awards, presented by BB&T, American Legion Post 23, and BGMU, at the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library. The following individuals and groups were recognized for their service.
Anne Grubbs Spirit of Serve Award- Chris Dressler, Community Education
Chris Dressler, is the 2-1-1 Contact Center Director for United Way of Southern Kentucky. She has served on the Community Education Board of Directors for more than six years, previously served as vice chair, and now as chair since November of 2016. Her service extends to the Bowling Green Independent School District where she serves as a member of the Board of Education and previously served as board chair. She also serves as a mentor, served on the Bowling Green High School Steering Committee, the BGISD Community Advisory Cabinet, American Red Cross, serves on Citizens Foster Care Review Board, and has volunteered with the Bowling Green Junior High School and Warren County Cooperative Extension Office’s “Reality Store.”
This award recognizes individuals who excel in quality, length and spirit of service to others.
The other volunteers recognized were:
Chloe Carter, New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding
Lynne Gilcrease, The Public Theatre of Kentucky
Martha Jenkins, PhD, Eloise B Houchens Center Board
Teresa Sneed, BGJHS Youth Services Center
Team Spirit Award- English, Lucas, Priest, and Owsley, LLC, Community Education
Sponsoring Community Education’s Blockbusters at the Ballpark is just a drop in the ocean of what ELPO and its staff members do to support our community, both financially and in direct service to others. They not only give back to the community that has supported them and helped them grow but get involved and make a difference. They encourage employees to get involved and volunteer, from mentoring children to serving on non-profit boards of directors. The following are a few of the many ways in which ELPO supports various programs and organizations in our community: United Way of Southern Kentucky, Crimestoppers of Bowling Green and Warren County, Center for Courageous Kids, SKyPAC and Orchestra Kentucky, mentoring children in the Boys to Men program, sponsor of Bowling Green Pride, sponsor of Mud Happens benefiting the Family Enrichment Center, and much, much more.
This award recognizes groups who work together to provide service in the community.
The other volunteers recognized were:
Camping World, Toys for Tots
Eloise B Houchens Center Board, Romanza Johnson
SKyPAC Ambassadors, SKyPAC
Rookie Award- Cheryl Lacefield, Eloise B Houchens Center Board
Since being appointed to the Houchens Center Board about a year and a half ago, Cheryl became involved in every activity and project of the Board. She volunteers for whatever need arises. She has served as hostess for Trees of Christmas; prepared food for events, catered card parties and other events; and donated items to the Gift Shop. Her service extends beyond the Center and into the community as she has served on the WKU Alumni Association Board, with WKU Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni, Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Alumni, Warren County Home Economists, and many other local charitable events such as the Chocolate Festival supporting Hospice of Southern Kentucky.
This award recognizes an individual or group who is new to volunteering or starting their service with an organization during the last 24 months.
The other volunteers recognized were:
Gracie Davis, The Public Theatre of Kentucky
Greg Senser, New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding
BB&T Spirit of Community Award- The Son Rhea Foundation
During an era when declining state revenues force difficult choices for school districts, fundraising (and instrument collecting) by the Son Rhea Foundation and an ever-growing number of professional and amateur musicians who support it has raised about $400,000 to provide south central Kentucky students with band and orchestra instruments that neither the children’s families nor the school districts could afford. (This does not include the many instruments collected in drives to get used instruments donated, repaired as needed, and distributed to the bands and string programs as well.)
Patrick O’Rourke, the orchestra director for Bowling Green City Schools, said that without the instruments, he would have to turn away many students who want to play music. O’Rourke added that for many of these students, band is their reason for coming to school.
Son Rhea Foundation’s mission states, “giving children the opportunity to participate in music and art will not only enhance their appreciation of the fine arts but will enrich their lives and guarantee future generations similar opportunities.” With board members like Tony Lindsey (founder), Kyle Frederick, Greg Lyons (who refurbishes instruments for use in the schools), and David Dorris, just to name a few, the future of music for children in our area is secure.
This award goes to an organization or business that merits special recognition for volunteer service in the community.
