Award Recipients

Lieutenant Mark Allston has been a member of the New Castle County EMS Division since 1991. During his career, he has served in a variety of functions, including assignments as EMS Operations Field Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, EMS Applicant Background Investigator, Medical Protocols Committee Member, and Field Operations Supervisor. Lieutenant Allston has dedicated his life to working with paramedics and is a part of a mobile training team for Contact Front LLC, which instructs pre-deployment military personnel at remote locations throughout the world. He also serves as an adjunct instructor for the University of Maryland at Baltimore County's Emergency Health Sciences Program, for presentations regionally and in Canada. In his spare time, he enjoys diving, golfing, and traveling with his wife and two children.

Norma takes particular interest in helping those who are poor and those affected by cancer. She has advocated for these groups by giving many hours every year to organizations such as Race for the Cure, Relay for Life and the Tent City initiative. As Race for the Cure and Relay for Life raise money to help cancer victims, Tent City raises awareness about homelessness. Norma's nominator commented, "Norma exhibits the mission and core values of Mercy. She has a heart for all cancer patients, especially those who are poor. She works diligently with physicians and professional organizations to provide services to cancer patients. Norma focuses on the whole person and finds ways to provide complementary service and spiritual care services."

Cathy serves as President of the Board of Tabitha USA, a non-profit organization she helped to found in 2003 following the adoption of her twins from Cambodia. Tabitha USA serves as the US branch of an NGO that exists in Cambodia whose mission is to develop the poorest communities throughout Cambodia in a self-sustainable manner. Cathy is very passionate about her work with Tabitha as well as the world of international adoption. She also serves on the Board of a parent-run organization, RathCare, whose goal is to resume ethical adoptions in Cambodia. Cathy and her husband, Dirk, were 2002 recipients of the Congressional Angels in Adoption Award.

Sae-Rom is a 2nd year student at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and she is an activist for global health. She has studied the health issues in many countries, focusing mainly on sexual health and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Since beginning medical school, she has been active within the American Medical Student Association, serving as her school's Vice-President. With the AMSA, she helps to facilitate activism training sessions, lobbies Congress for more funding toward the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and increasing health workers in developing nations and working to shed light on North Korean human rights and public health issues. Sae-Rom serves her local community by volunteering at health fairs and free clinics and teaching HIV prevention in high schools.

Margaret Daniels joined Portion Pac, a division of the H.J. Heinz Company in 1991. She first started in their Customer Service area and after two years was promoted to the buyers position. In this position she is responsible for the purchase of all raw materials used in the daily running of the plant.

Mrs. Daniels has also been a board member of the Fayetteville Family and Child Care Center and the Highland County Animal Shelter. She has also been involved in volunteering for Our Fathers kitchen, Wilmington Homeless Shelter and numerous volunteer efforts for Wilmington College where her daughter attends college.

Mrs. Daniels has been married for 30 years and has a son and daughter.

A Navy veteran, Frank knows what it's like to need certain services when times get rough. His current work with the Wounded Heroes Foundation helping veterans returning from the Iraq War has become the defining moment of his life. The Wounded Heroes Foundation provides physical, emotional, and financial support to veterans by paying mortgage payments, purchasing handicap-accessible vans, building homes, securing new mortgages at low-interest rates, and delivering care packages to those still in combat. Frank has recently worked with DeerPoint Homes to secure six deeply discounted homes for returning veterans. He also volunteers each year co-chairing the 2007 Purple Heart Bike Run and assisting numerous home repair projects for wounded soldiers. Frank's time, financial, and emotional commitments have lifted the spirits of countless wounded heroes throughout Illinois.

Public service is a prominent ingredient of Peggy Fryer's personal recipe for goodness and mercy. Peggy artfully uses her talent for cooking, selflessly preparing meals for the homeless and fragile seniors in her community. A long term employee of St. Joseph's Hospital Cafeteria, Peggy's cooking talents are well known. In 2004, she further harnessed these God-given talents and created a food ministry through her church. Since that time, she has collected food and prepared 850 to 900 free meals each month, personally delivering them (along with clothing) into parks and other areas of the city to the homeless. She also extends her food and clothing efforts to many elderly that face similar economic challenges. Peggy possesses the perfect ingredients as a public servant, community heroine, and national Jefferson Award recipient.

Nona Garcia has been a Wells Fargo team member for 27 years in Reno, Nevada. Nona is part of the Business Banking team and is always ready to lend a hand at work and in the community. She can be counted on to help crew hot air balloons at 4 a.m. every morning of the Great Reno Balloon Race! In addition to being an accomplished ballooning volunteer Nona regularly supports the Children's Cabinet, Klothes for Kids and the Xtreme Mobility Challenge. Nona serves on the company's Volunteer Council in Reno and helps manage company-sponsored events throughout the year. Most recently, Nona volunteered during ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Stagecoach, Nevada and says she enjoyed being part of such a life-changing project.

Dr. Victor Garcia, a Pediatric Trauma Surgeon, has been instrumental in implementing the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). CIRV's goal is to end gun violence and homicides in the city of Cincinnati, making communities safer. The group reaches out to high risk groups and individuals, providing assistance, such as job training, substance abuse counseling, and mental health treatment. Since CIRV began, Cincinnati has experienced a 61% reduction in the number of group-related homicides. CIRV has been so successful because of dedicated volunteers like Dr. Garcia. Homicide rates will continue to lower with continued dedication to the initiative.

Outside of her professional career, Tracye enjoys giving back to her community through various volunteer opportunities. She is an active Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer with eight years of experience advocating for the needs of children placed in foster care. She currently reads to elementary school children through a United Way-supported program called ReadUp, which focuses on helping students improve their reading skills. She has also been involved in several volunteer community outreach programs such as Rebuilding Together, an event aiming to improve the quality of life for many community neighbors by refurbishing their homes. Tracye also collects clothing for the homeless at a women's shelter and has served dinner to residents at homeless shelters.

James is an industrial power engineer for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). He has devoted himself to the Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA) for the past 23 years. A "hands-on" volunteer, James helped to establish TMHA's Growing Grounds Farm program which combines horticultural therapy with vocational training for adults suffering from mental illness. Since then, he has continued to grow the program and has helped with fundraising events and served on TMHA's Board of Directors for 10 years.

Inspired by her own seven children, Maryalice became committed several years ago to helping disadvantaged youth. She began fundraising for Larkin Street Youth Services, a program providing a full spectrum of services to homeless and run-away youth, including temporary housing, medical and counseling services, and educational and job training programs. Becoming an official volunteer at the Haight Street outreach facility, she now hosts a weekly "Meal with Maryalice" in which she spends $25 per week to cook a meal for the youth. Maryalice makes her presence at the organization consistent, earning trust from the youth and showing them that she really cares. She has helped to make San Francisco a stronger community and is a role model for children all over the city.

As a consultant for Deloitte Consulting, Brendy has spent a lot of time helping companies address their toughest business problems. Last year, Brendy decided to apply his skills and talents to better serve his community. He created a skills-based community service program at Deloitte bringing consultants like himself to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago to address some of their most difficult challenges. Over the last two years, nearly 200 people have participated in the program, helping the Red Cross appeal to corporate partners, define the right community presence, and market the organization to skilled volunteers. His work with the American Red Cross has become the model for community service at Deloitte.

For more than 15 years, Josephine Larry has selflessly volunteered her time working on behalf of Savannah's neighborhoods and its underserved residents. She is a member of the East Victorian Neighborhood Association, helping to fix problems she encounters on a daily basis. As the Association's President, she hounds landlords who fail to maintain their properties, partners with police to rid her neighborhood of drugs, organizes block cleanups, and recruits organizations to help secure housing for the poor. This effort led her to Habitat for Humanity, where she helped lead a campaign to build a house a month in Savannah. Josephine also volunteers at organizations helping children and adults with learning and literacy challenges, and works to improve living conditions of the elderly, youth, and others needing help.

Chris is a junior at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) who has devoted much of his spare time to improving the welfare of his fellow students and working with community youth in the 4-H program. He has brought more awareness to improving campus security by organizing a campus safety walk with the administration. He has also worked on improving dining services and leading a successful effort to improve student e-mail service. Chris' work on campus has led to the annual evaluation and upgrade of lighting and emergency call boxes, upgrades in cafeteria service, and putting AASU on track to becoming early participants in the Google university e-mail program. Fulfilling his passion of working with youth, he helps young kids gain the skills needed to become active and productive citizens.

Esteban actively and passionately serves the community with a special interest in young people. He organized the formation of a work release program with the probation department of Ottawa County, allowing juveniles to be mentored by police officers while performing community service. In addition, he helps with an elementary school reading program and volunteers for the after-prom of a local high school. Much of Esteban's service is with the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, an organization where volunteers collect food and donated goods throughout the year to give families during the Christmas season. Esteban organizes events such as food drives, car shows and motorcycle runs to collect donations. Illustrating his dedication to giving, Esteban's motto is "The joy in life is giving."

Philip Rotter is the National Partners in Time Volunteer of the Year for Macy's, Inc. "Philip has selflessly donated his time to making an impact in the New York City community," shares his nominator, Tara Troy. "He has held all roles within the community service realm - volunteer, project leader, and founder of one of our strongest volunteer partnerships, Material for the Arts. From team captain for AIDS Walk and Macy's Bag Hunger campaign to Foundling Hospital volunteer, Philip demonstrates an ability to lead creatively and enthusiastically." When asked about giving time through Macy's Partners in Time employee volunteer program, and personally, Philip simply says, "I just do what a person should do to help someone in need".

In 2004, Kathy founded Josephs Coat 4 Kids, named for the Bible story about Joseph who received a beautiful coat of many colors from his father, Jacob. Initially, the purpose of the program was to provide a new outfit for children on the first day of school, to give them a sense of self-esteem, and help them get the school year off to a good start with a sense of confidence. Josephs Coat 4 Kids has grown significantly, now sponsoring children and their families at Christmas, working to supply food and personal care items to shelters, and providing coats and warm blankets to children and their families in shelters as well as many homeless adults. Central PA is certainly a warmer place because of Kathy's efforts.

"Do what you love, love what you do" is a motto that characterizes Garrett Taira's involvement and commitment to Special Olympics Hawaii. Introduced to Special Olympics four years ago, he has had a tremendous impact on the organization ever since. Garrett draws upon his experience in audit services at Deloitte & Touche LLP to provide financial guidance as well as strategic management in the organization's fundraising efforts. A current Board of Director, he is also currently serving on the Executive Board of Special Olympics Hawaii and holds a leadership position as Treasurer. Garrett brings youth, new perspectives and fresh ideas to both Deloitte and Special Olympics Hawaii. Full of energy, combined with his eagerness to contribute, he is becoming a fixture in Hawaii's business community, both as a community service leader as well as a Deloitte professional. He serves as a role model for all, selflessly giving back to his community and leading a new generation towards community involvement.

Jane has been a positive impact on the Mount Pleasant community by volunteering her time and energy to several organizations and causes. She has been a Big Sister to a special child for the past five years and also sits on the board and fund raising committee for Big Brother Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan. Jane has supported the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen in Mt. Pleasant since 1996 and currently serves as Lead Chef every other Saturday. In this role, Jane oversees the operation, opens the kitchen, directs the volunteers, and accepts the food donations. She also helps organize the kitchen's major fundraising events. Jane also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Adopt-a-Highway program, and is active in organizing ARAMARK's annual Adopt-a-Family program.

Jaime Zovi has been a Wells Fargo team member in Las Vegas, Nevada for nine years and has served on the company's Volunteer Council for the past year. Jaime is a consummate volunteer who helps manage company-sponsored volunteer opportunities while also leading volunteer efforts in her own workgroup. In just the last few months, Jaime has joined fellow team members at the Stuff a Bus School Supply Drive, Christmas in April, the Junior Achievement Bowl a Thon and the Mt. Charleston Cleanup. She organizes food drives and blood drives in her department and says her favorite activities are those that help children. Jaime also believes in teaching the value of community service to her own family, making sure her daughter joins her at events and gives back to their community.