Volunteer Center Events
Volunteer of the Year EventEach year, the Volunteer Center recognizes outstanding volunteers from area agencies at the Volunteer of the Year Awards reception during National Volunteer month. The emphasis of this program is to spotlight outstanding volunteers in our community.
Volunteer Center Awards are presented to individuals, youth and groups for their dedicated service to the community. These awards are presented based on the following criteria: effort, impact, community need, leadership and challenges, and achievement. The Volunteer of the Year Awards consist of the Volunteer of the Year Award, the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, the Volunteer Group of the Year Award and the Volunteer Center Founder’s Award.
Robert Tucker received Adult Volunteer of the Year for his work with the Alzheimer’s Association, Central PA Chapter. He has served in numerous leadership roles including vice chair of the board and chairman of fund development. Tucker is a tireless advocate of this issue.
The Youth Volunteer of the Year award went to Emma Leuschen for her work with the East Pennsboro Area High School Service Learning Program. She began as a contributing volunteer and was then promoted to student director and overall student coordinator. Upon graduation, Emma will have logged more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service in our community.
Volunteers from the Department of Public Welfare’s Annual Holiday Wish Program were awarded the Volunteer Group of the Year. This group is responsible for planning and implementing a volunteer employee program, which provides needy families and seniors with basic necessities during the holiday season. Over the course of the 23 years the program has existed, more than 10,000 individuals have been impacted by this group’s work.
William Bauer received the Volunteer Center Founder’s Award for his outstanding volunteer leadership with Lend A Hand, an agency committed to helping victims of natural disaster clean out and rebuild their damaged homes. Bauer has been the volunteer office manager since 2005. During his tenure, more than 1,000 volunteers have participated in disaster relief trips. More than 1,000 homes have been rebuilt in several out-of-state communities and another 180 homes have been cleaned out locally following a natural disaster.
The Essence of Humanity Award in the caretaker category was presented to Catherine Chilcoat for her passion for those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. In addition to caring for multiple family members with this disease, Catherine is an active volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association and helps raise awareness about the disease and funds to support research.
Marcellus Taylor received the Essence of Humanity Award in the individual category for his mentoring work at The Nativity School of Harrisburg, where he works with sixth to eighth grade boys from the South Allison Hill area of Harrisburg. Marcellus uses his life experiences to help keep the students focused on their education and future.
For more information on the Essence of Humanity Award visit their web site: http://www.essenceofhumanity.org/. |
Adult Volunteer of the Year
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer Group of the Year
Volunteer Center Founder’s Award
Essence Award Winners
