GOVERNOR`S INITIATIVE FOR VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE

Transcription

GOVERNOR’S INITIATIVE
FOR VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE
APRIL 16, 2012 • mississippi museum of art
First Lady Deborah Bryant
Honorary Chair, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
nonprofits, educational programs, and civic associations, and
their contributions are more vital than ever as we work together
to move Mississippi forward. The spirit of volunteerism bridges
social, economic and cultural differences and our shared passion
for service brings us all closer to one another.
Our volunteers tutor and mentor children, serve meals
to the needy, coordinate after-school programs, assist in
disaster response and recovery efforts, build and rehabilitate
homes, support veteran and military family services, conduct
neighborhood patrols, and restore the environment, as well as
fulfill countless additional needs in communities throughout
the state. Although wide-ranging skills and abilities are
needed to accomplish these varied endeavors, the common
thread is the selfless gift of time without recognition.
W
inston Churchill famously noted that “we make
a living by what we do, but we make a life by
what we give.” Today we celebrate the countless
Mississippians who nobly give their time and talents to make
our communities stronger, safer, and healthier. Volunteers
are truly the lifeblood of our state’s faith-based organizations,
T
he Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
(MCVS) engages and supports Mississippians of all
ages and backgrounds in service to their communities.
MCVS is the state office of volunteerism. Since the agency was
established by executive order in 1994, MCVS has worked to
encourage a culture of citizenship, service and responsibility
to our state and nation. In partnership with the federal
Corporation for National and Community Service, and a
wide range of Mississippi state and local agencies, nonprofits,
educational institutions and faith-based organizations, MCVS
is fostering community engagement and building volunteer
capacity throughout the state. In times of disaster, MCVS is
the state agency responsible for coordinating volunteer efforts
and managing donations.
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Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
The Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence, or GIVE,
Awards were established to do exactly that: recognize
individual volunteers, volunteer programs, public servants,
faith-based organizations and nonprofit leaders whose
innovations in the field of volunteerism have had a significant
impact on the citizens of Mississippi. Phil and I proudly
congratulate the 2012 GIVE Award honorees, and are pleased
to celebrate the achievements of these ordinary people, doing
extraordinary things to improve lives and communities across
our great state. Their stories serve as inspiration for us, and
for all Mississippians.
MCVS helps individuals rise to their potential by offering
opportunities to make our communities a better place. The
bulk of MCVS programs support and enhance Pre-K and
K-12 education initiatives, teaching students vital skills they
will carry with them throughout their lives. National service
opportunities also contribute heavily to Mississippi workforce
development, offering participants practical experience and
on-the-job training.
Our story - the story of volunteerism in Mississippi - is
about service as a way of life. It’s about leadership in our
communities, our schools, and our churches. And it’s about
results - statewide, volunteers and national service members
are getting things done, making a difference for our children,
our seniors, and our veterans and military families. Volunteers
are writing the story of Mississippi’s future today, not as
isolated individuals, but as committed neighbors building
a better, brighter future for all Mississippians. Learn more
about MCVS and national service programs, and find volunteer
opportunities your community, at www.mcvs.org.
2012 GIVE AWARDS
speakers and awards presenters
W. David Mallery
Executive Director, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
Beth Fisher
Vice Chair, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
First Lady Deborah Bryant
Honorary Chair, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
Karen Hearn
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Karen Hearn is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she grew up
studying the violin, piano and voice. She went on to study classical music in
college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Philosophy and a Master’s
of Music in Choral Conducting at Louisiana State University. During college,
Karen worked as a cantor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Jackson, LA and
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Saint Francisville, LA. Karen also taught voice
and piano at the Baton Rouge School of Performing Arts. Though you may
associate her with music by Bach, Haydn and Vaughan-Williams, Karen can
often be found listening to Yelle, Robyn or The Black Keys while baking tasty
treats or enjoying a pint and teaching friends to knit or crochet. Karen is the Assistant Program
Director of Music Radio at Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
2012 GIVE Awards Chair
Kelsey Pettus
Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Commissioner
2012 GIVE Awards Judges Panel
Jackie Bailey
Community Foundation of Greater Jackson
Joe Donovan
Mississippi Center for Nonprofits, Entrepreneurial Development Director at Millsaps College
Tom Lord
Commissioner Emeritus, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
Maggie Wade-Dixon
WLBT, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Commissioner
Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence Awards | APRIL 16, 2012
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Elbert HillIard
THE MARSHA MEEKS KELLY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The arc of history is
long, but bends toward justice.” In Elbert Hilliard’s case, the
arc may bend toward service.
Elbert Hilliard bears the distinction of the longest tenure of an
agency director in Mississippi’s history, entirely fitting for a Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) director.
Upon retirement in 2004, one might think Hilliard would want
a break from the eight-to-five of the public sector. Instead, Mr.
Hilliard has served as an MDAH volunteer for the last seven
years, averaging over two thousand hours of service each year.
Mr. Hilliard’s first job title at the Archives was “Curator of
History,” but in his forty years as an employee, he wore many
hats. With this unique background, Hilliard’s scope of volunteer work is as broad as his knowledge base: his prodigious
research, writing and editorial skills make him an integral
member of MDAH’s Public Information section. He also serves
as the department’s liaison to the volunteer-operated Mississippi Historical Society, where he has fulfilled duties of Secretary/Treasurer for 38 years. His extensive experience proves an
invaluable institutional asset to MDAH administrative staff.
Hilliard is also an inspirational, motivated volunteer recruiter,
as he served as one of the first managers of MDAH’s now-flourishing volunteer program: few can say no to a man who holds
so much enthusiasm for the department and its mission.
Hilliard’s professional career began in education, and it remains
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a driving force in his volunteer work. He is directly responsible
for a wealth of books, lesson plans, essays, articles and other
educational materials widely available in both print and online
media. He is a fixture at the annual social studies Teacher
Workshop, networking with educators from around the state
and securing sponsorship for the workshop itself, as well as
scholarships for teachers who might not be able to afford Historical Society membership. Hilliard sees to it that MDAH’s publications, including the “Mississippi History Newsletter,” “Mississippi History Now,” the Journal of Mississippi History, and the
book series Heritage of Mississippi, maintain the department’s
long-standing level of excellence. Hilliard’s commitment to history and those who teach it is evident in his relentless search for
worthy candidates for the Mississippi Historical Society’s John
K. Bettersworth Award for Outstanding History Teachers.
Historic and Cultural Preservation is another of Hilliard’s great
interests; he has inspired others to take on the daunting task of
documenting and preserving our knowledge of the first Mississippians—Native American, West African, and European settlers—as
well as the diverse groups within modern Mississippi’s population.
Every day, Hilliard comes to the William F. Winter Building,
where his sole mission is to share his time, his knowledge and
his great love of teaching others. Hilliard’s tireless devotion to
historic preservation and public education has broadened the
historic view of Mississippi history, and his work will inspire
aspiring historians for generations to come.
giovina chinchar
ouTstanding humanitarian service
Gio Chinchar is the kind of person any community organization
would love to have as a volunteer. In fact, she comes highly
recommended by four of them. After retiring from teaching Biology at Tougaloo College, Dr. Chinchar has dedicated her time
and considerable skills to these very deserving organizations. A
woman of many talents with a true servant leader attitude, no
service is too small or too large to be worthy of her efforts.
Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon for the past four
years, Gio (pronounced “Jo”) can be found faithfully tutoring
middle school children at the Tisdale Library. In addition to
helping these students with their math skills, Gio has become
an adult friend who is always willing to listen to their problems. She also helps with other programs at the library, most
recently serving as a judge for their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
literacy contest.
Gio’s volunteer work also takes her to the Craftsmen’s Guild of
Mississippi where folks say her giving spirit is contagious! She
is involved with several Mississippi Craft Center events, and is
a summer camp counselor working with children with disabili-
ties at the Camp for Children with Special Needs. In addition,
she writes grant proposals, holds weaving classes and gives
demonstrations.
For more than 10 years, Gio has volunteered to help the Gleaners of Jackson salvage food which would be thrown away, and
provide it to the homeless, chemically-addicted and mentally
ill in the community. In addition to picking up, sorting and
distributing donated food, she has worked diligently on purging
and updating the donor database, and writing grants to fund
their important efforts. Most recently, she has joined the Board
of Directors and serves as Secretary.
Last, but not least, Gio Chinchar gives her time and talents
to the Mississippi Food Network, performing administrative
tasks like inputing direct mail donations, stuffing letters and
writing grants. In fact, her grant writing efforts have secured
more than $350,000 for the organization. In 2010, the Mississippi Food Network Board of Directors showed their immense
appreciation for her by recognizing Gio as their “Volunteer of
the Year.”
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Elizabeth coleman
Outstanding Achievement by a Volunteer Management Professional
Nonprofit organizations that benefit from a large, diverse and
reliable volunteer workforce always have a dedicated volunteer
management professional to thank for it. This pivotal staff position is the conduit between community volunteers and community organizational needs. Their work ensures the success of
their organization and an ever-increasing rate of volunteerism
in their community.
The inaugural GIVE Award for Outstanding Achievement by
a Volunteer Management Professional goes to Ms. Elizabeth
Coleman, Volunteer Services Coordinator at the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History.
Initially hired in 2001 to reorganize the museum docent and
volunteer program, Elizabeth Coleman’s accomplishments
have far exceeded expectations. Under her oversight and
management the department’s volunteer program has grown
exponentially, leading to an agency-wide expansion.
Elizabeth is directly responsible for recruiting hundreds of
volunteers and volunteer groups to the agency. Her spirit
and dedication not only to the volunteers but also to the
department are exceptional. To summarize just one year of
accomplishments, 2011 agency volunteers served a total of
15,691 hours, equaling a labor value of $355,161.00, based on
Independent Sector’s current volunteer hourly rate. Elizabeth
was responsible for 281 individual volunteers and another 256
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service group volunteers. The number of individual volunteers
more than doubled the actual number of paid staff.
In addition to her position as Volunteer Services Coordinator
for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Elizabeth personally volunteers countless hours to other organizations, including DOVIA Mississippi (Directors of Volunteers
in Agencies). This is a networking group of professionals who
meet monthly to discuss volunteerism topics. DOVIA’s efforts
provide volunteer managers with the tools they need to do
their jobs better.
Elizabeth is also among select group of individuals who have
earned credentials to be Certified in Volunteer Administration
(CVA). Individuals attaining this sought-after credential must
have extensive experience and demonstrate proof of professional excellence in mobilizing and managing volunteers.
Elizabeth’s success lies in the personal attention she gives each
volunteer, making herself knowledgeable of their backgrounds
and interests in order to fulfill their desire for meaningful
volunteer work, all while providing an invaluable service to the
state agency she serves. This meticulous match-making ability,
added to her immense capacity to feel and express appreciation, makes Elizabeth Coleman an outstanding role model
in the field of Volunteer Management and very deserving of
statewide recognition.
Callie crider
OUTSTANDING SERVICE BY A YOUTH
For the past three years, 12 year old Callie Crider has devoted
hundreds of hours of her time volunteering for The Association for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
(The Arc). Her selfless work and giving heart have positively
impacted the organization and the children they serve. Callie,
who is caring and mature beyond her years, assists children
with disabilities in a variety of ways, often befriending them
and having a significantly calming effect on those children with
autism. She volunteers the majority of her time through a summer program and through respites. The respite programs are
offered weekly and for the past two years, Callie has donated
two weekends per month offering her friendship, assisting with
meals and care-giving, teaching leisure and recreational skills,
and helping load children in wheelchairs onto the bus. She
has also volunteered for the past three years with the summer
leisure program, which lasts for five weeks and is designed
to provide inclusive recreational opportunities to individuals
with disabilities. The director of The Arc has personally hand–
picked Callie to help in her classroom because of her maturity,
dependability and personal interactions with the children with
disabilities.
Callie makes such a profound difference that it cannot go unnoticed by parents of the individuals with disabilities. They
often seek her to be a part of family trips or occasional babysitting duties. Likewise, Callie’s contributions do not go unnoticed
by The Arc. This past summer, Callie Crider was awarded the
“Papa Dale Carr Volunteer Award” for her exceptional service
as a volunteer.
Beyond the respites and summer programming, Callie has
been very engaged in the organization’s largest fundraiser, the
helicopter golf ball drop. This past year, she sold approximately
100 balls which netted $10,000 for The Arc!
At the young age of 12, Callie Crider understands the concept
of making a meaningful commitment of time and effort, and
most importantly, of serving the community with grace, generosity and kindness.
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GERALDINE C. GRAMMER
Outstanding Achievement in community revitalization
Geraldine Grammer is adamant about the quality of life for the
people in the small Bolivar County town of Shelby, Mississippi.
Following retirement after teaching for 32 years, Mrs. Grammer
has simply re-directed her life to revitalizing the town she loves.
During the early 1970’s through the 90’s, people came from
miles around to the bustling town of Shelby to purchase apparel and fresh produce or dine at the great eateries and take
in a movie. But like the gush of a mighty wind, in the early
2000’s, Shelby’s prosperity and townspeople seemed to vanish
overnight, leaving a once viable, progressive town reduced to a
couple of gas stations and two food markets.
Described as a diminutive, spirited woman, Geraldine Grammer ran for mayor in 2006 and lost, but she would not be
deterred! She began an unstoppable journey to revitalize her
beloved town by organizing businesses, women’s groups and social services to address vital community needs. She was instrumental in organizing Shelby Women United, a group of women
who spearheaded beautification projects, annual homecomings,
renovation of the public library and fundraising projects to
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bolster the city’s coffers. She also devoted three days a week as
the volunteer manager of the Delta Thrift Store, an effort that
created much needed jobs and provided clothing and furnishings to low-income families in Shelby. She was also instrumental in organizing DASH, an acronym for the Delta communities
of Duncan, Alligator, Shelby and Hope. DASH meets monthly
to plan initiatives for the betterment of participating towns
and their citizens, such as a recreational and educational program for citizens over 55, called Seniors Day Out.
To increase the town’s financial viability, Geraldine Grammer
re-established the Shelby Chamber of Commerce, an organization that had been defunct for many years. Following a
schedule of regular and productive meetings, and a massive recruiting campaign, the membership is presently at 55. As chair
of the City of Shelby’s Strategic Leadership Planning Committee, her team is involved in a five-year plan to propel Shelby’s
return to the viable community of earlier days.
The people of Shelby are grateful for Geraldine Grammer and her
determination to see their town restored to its former vibrancy.
preston hays
(July 7, 1940 - March 9, 2012)
Outstanding achievement in educational innovation
Throughout her life, Preston Hays served in leadership roles
for numerous community organizations, including serving as
president of the Junior League of Jackson in 1976, chairman
of Art for Heart in 1996, president of Goodwill Industries,
president of Le Fleur’s Bluff Heritage Foundation, president of
the Mississippi Museum of Art Gallery Guild and president of
the Jackson Friends of the Library. She was the first woman
president of the Central Mississippi University of Mississippi
Alumni Association. Preston was also co-editor of “Jackson
Landmarks” in 1982 and co-producer of “Tom Spengler’s History of Jackson.” But Preston Hays may be best remembered
for her vision and innovative leadership in bringing promise
and light to children through the opening of the Mississippi
Children’s Museum.
When the Junior League of Jackson adopted the Mississippi
Children’s Museum as its second signature project in 2004,
Preston was passionately on board. To bring the project to
reality, she and the Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM)
Partners started on a six-year quest to open the doors of the
state’s first-ever children’s museum.
Preston and the MCM Partners found innovative ways to raise
awareness and funds for the museum and education of Mississippi children. One such successful event was the Mississippi
Children’s Educational Fair that addressed the unlimited possibilities of Mississippi students’ future, potentially changing
the lives of more than 7,000 children by encouraging them to
stay in school and graduate. Both the Mississippi Senate and
House of Representatives adopted a resolution to designate the
week of the fair as “Stay in School: Soar into the Future” week,
in conjunction with the celebration.
After hosting more MCM Partner events, and long months of
planning, Preston chaired the most anticipated event of all,
an Unwrapping and Dedication of the Mississippi Children’s
Museum. Attended by more than 500 people, the doors of the
museum were officially “unwrapped” on December 2, 2010, by
Northwest Rankin Elementary School students and Mississippi’s First Lady, Marsha Barbour.
The following year, the MCM Partners were presented with a
donor plaque for the integral part they played in the museum’s
opening and continued operation. The plaque was placed on the
giant glass staircase in the center of the museum–appropriately named, “Light the Way Stairs in honor of Preston Hays.”
While serving in her third term on the Board of Directors of the
Mississippi Children’s Museum, Preston Hays passed away on
March 9, 2012. She will be greatly missed and always remembered for her tireless, creative and visionary efforts to ensure
Mississippi’s children experience “destination imagination,” at
a museum built especially for them.
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lillie lovette
Outstanding Achievement in the arts & humanities
Lillie Lovette is many things, including classic country music
aficionado, sociologist, proponent of women’s rights and social
justice, southern history buff, and world traveler. Despite having visited all seven continents, Lillie continues to cite “home”
as her favorite place. One of her strongest interests is her dedication to the promotion of humanities in Mississippi.
Following Lillie’s early retirement from teaching at Holmes
Community College due to a hearing impairment, she has
invested some 4,000 hours in volunteer service towards the
efforts of the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC). While
she has served as scholar, consultant, grant writer and outside
evaluator, the majority of her time has been spent working
with the MHC-sponsored Smithsonian Traveling Exhibits program: Museum on Main Street, a project designed to “bring the
Smithsonian to the people” of smaller town America.
Since 2001, Lillie has continuously served in various volunteer
roles for six of these traveling exhibits. Initially a project director and statewide coordinator for “Produce for Victory,” a dis-
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play of posters rallying the home front to greater productivity
during WWII, she continued to serve as a workshop presenter,
transportation coordinator, docent trainer and reports overseer
for consecutive exhibits. During this time she has worked with
34 communities across the state, directly impacting the lives
of 175,000 Mississippians. The project, which would not have
been possible without the selfless efforts of Lillie Lovette, has
enabled Mississippi communities to proclaim their pride at
being selected as a Smithsonian exhibit recipient, and more
importantly, to share their own stories about topics including the roles of food in American culture; Fences, Borders and
Boundaries; and local contributions of differing kinds of music
to making “Mississippi the Birthplace of America’s Music.”
Lillie Lovette’s dedication to bring the Smithsonian to the
people of Mississippi has been a true expression of love for the
place she calls home. Her work and determination, despite a
hearing impairment that would have sidelined many, serves to
engender informed, empowered and inspired citizens.
rosie nelson
Outstanding service by a national service participant
Rosie Nelson is an AmeriCorps VISTA member with the North
Mississippi VISTA Project at the University of Mississippi.
With the University of Mississippi School of Engineering, Rosie
helps to develop service-related initiatives and provides support to faculty developing service-learning coursework. She has
served over 800 hours as a VISTA member, working with faculty, staff, and students to develop a service-leadership organization for engineering students, as well as a small grant program
that provides students with startup funds of up to $500 to
create science and technology-related service projects within
the local community. Her work in this capacity has unlimited
potential for positively affecting Lafayette County, Oxford, and
the University of Mississippi communities. Rosie has revived
the University’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed
service fraternity, and serves as its chapter advisor. She assists
other chapters throughout Mississippi and nearby states in
developing their service programming. In addition to VISTA
and Alpha Phi Omega, Rosie currently volunteers with the Boy
Scouts, Girls Scouts and Lafayette County 4-H.
Rosie has served as an AmeriCorps NCCC member, where
she participated in several projects along the Mississippi Gulf
Coast. In honor of her amazing work as an NCCC member,
she was awarded the Gold Level President’s Volunteer Service
Award, as well as the Congressional Award Bronze Medal. She
was a volunteer in multiple groups as an undergraduate at the
University of California–Berkeley and as an employee of the
Walt Disney Company.
Ms. Nelson is committed to sharing her passion for service to
others, and encourages her peers to volunteer with causes that
are personally meaningful. Mississippi is benefiting from her
passion just as much as she loves being a Mississippian. As she
puts it, “I am a relatively new resident, but I have embraced
Mississippi as my home, and I am honored to give back to the
communities here.”
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MARSHALL RAMSEY
Outstanding service by a media personality
Many Mississippians may know Marshall Ramsey as the radio
host on SuperTalk Mississippi, or from his editorial cartoons
appearing in The Clarion-Ledger, USA Today, Newsweek, U.S.
News and World Report, The Chicago Tribune and The New
York Times. Some of his accomplishments include receiving The
John Locher Memorial Award, awarded to the top collegiate cartoonist in America, and being named a Pulitzer Finalist in 2002
and 2006. Marshall has also illustrated seven children’s books
for his cousin, financial expert Dave Ramsey, and illustrated Nobody’s Poet for chef and author Robert St. John. His first book,
Marshall Ramsey’s Greatest Hits, sold out and his latest effort,
10! A Ten-Year Celebration, is a local bestseller.
Marshall Ramsey’s notable professional accomplishments,
however, pale in comparison to his impressive contributions in
the fight against cancer and years of dedication to his community. In 2003, Marshall co-founded the Leonard Warren
Melanoma Foundation and Run from the Sun, a 5K race that
raises money and awareness to cure melanoma. Now in its
ninth year, Run for the Sun has raised more than $100,000 for
melanoma research and has screened thousands of people for
this potentially deadly cancer. A melanoma survivor himself,
Marshall has been honored by the Melanoma Research Foundation with the 2003 Winds of Hope Award, and the American
Cancer Society for his work promoting skin cancer screening.
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He recently ran the Marine Corps Marathon, raising $13,000
for melanoma research. Marshall also uses his artistic talents
to create cartoons and prints to educate people about melanoma for the Melanoma Research Foundation and to raise
funds for the American Cancer Society. He speaks to cancer
groups nationwide and addressed the local Hope Conference,
an educational and informational venue that meets the needs
of the public and cancer patients, survivors, family members
and caregivers.
Marshall gives countless further hours of his time volunteering
in the community. Some of his contributions include emceeing
for numerous charity events every year, creating hundreds of
pieces of artwork for Mississippi charity fundraisers, teaming up with WLBT on-air personality Barbie Bassett to host
bi-annual blood drives, and quietly raising thousands of dollars
for Stewpot ministries over the past 15 years. He also has
spoken at hundreds of libraries teaching kids about creativity,
and is the Mississippi Children’s Museum Artist in Residence
for April 2012.
Marshall Ramsey is said to consider Mississippi to be “the greatest state for politics and raising a family.” For his many years of
service, advocacy efforts and gifts of artistic creation, the state
can consider Marshall to be one of Mississippi’s true treasures.
Pauline redmond
Outstanding service in disaster relief
Pauline Redmond moved to Columbus, Mississippi in 2002,
after a 20-year career as a paramedic and Navy Command Ombudsman in Charleston, South Carolina. Since then, she has
used her emergency skills, experience and giving spirit to support disaster preparedness and response efforts in Mississippi.
Often the first disaster responder on the scene and the last to
leave, she volunteered more than 30 hours per week with the
American Red Cross from 2003 to 2011, and was on call 24/7
to respond to local disasters within the Columbus community.
In addition to responding to disasters, Pauline was a Disaster
Services and Health and Safety Instructor, trained Department of Human Services employees for the State of Mississippi, and is also trained to assist FEMA. During her tenure
with the American Red Cross, she wrote and received a grant
for $62,000 for service to the Armed Forces, used to support
deployed troops and families.
In April 2011, Pauline played a vital role in training and
coordinating volunteers to deploy to Smithville, Mississippi, to
assist with disaster relief efforts. In addition, she was instrumental in organizing the delivery of toiletries, food, and clothing to towns destroyed by the tornado. She worked around the
clock, putting in countless hours to make sure those affected by
the tornado had food to eat, clothes on their back, and a place
to stay.
Last year, Pauline wanted to offer more services to the Columbus area, and decided to reallocate her time and efforts into
starting a community nonprofit for response to disaster and
non-disaster related support services for families. She continues to seek out and train others to be emergency first responders, teaches CPR and First Aid, and now offers additional
services that meet local needs on a daily basis.
Pauline Redmond’s experience and endless work to ease the suffering of her fellow citizens has made her a vital part of her adopted
Mississippi community, now honored to call her one of their own.
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DETRATER ROBERTS
Outstanding achievement in healthy community initiatives
“Farmer Tre’” saw a growing need in his community and
responded through volunteering. Poor health, food insecurity,
and lack of access are prevalent issues in areas of Jackson,
Mississippi. Farmer Tre’ (whose real name is Detrater Roberts)
and others decided that there should be a community garden
in west Jackson to give local residents more access to fresh
produce. Farmer Tre’ grew up gardening under the tutelage of
his grandfathers. He knew how empowering the ability to grow
your own food could be to anyone. He, along with wife Erika,
founded the Jackson Inner-City Gardeners (JIG), a nonprofit
organization focused on creating a food source of locally grown,
organic produce, as well as mentoring and offering leadership
opportunities to youth.
In partnership with the Jackson Medical Mall – which donated
nineteen acres of property for the garden – Farmer Tre’ began
transforming a grassy lot into a viable garden. With the assistance of hundreds of volunteers who have served over 2,000
hours in the garden, JIG grew over 2,600 pounds of greens,
tomatoes, potatoes, okra, cabbage, eggplant, and squash in the
past three years. This crop was shared with volunteers, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and elderly residents of the area.
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Farmer Tre’s vision has been dedicated as the Raksha Sethi
Medical Mall Urban Farm, and has been featured in BET’s
documentary “Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson.”
It was also named the 2010 “Best Community Garden of the
Year” by the Jackson Free Press.
This community garden, with its humble beginnings, has improved the lives of thousands of people. Farmer Tre’ shares his
knowledge, expertise, and labor with others in the community,
including organizations like Sister Cooks of Redeemer Church,
Southern Poverty Law Center, Jackson State University,
Tougaloo College, Belhaven University, America Reads Mississippi AmeriCorps program, Capitol City Rebuilds AmeriCorps
program, Teach for America, Murrah High School, and Mississippi Urban Forest Council, just to name a few.
Detrater Roberts’ drive to see a sustainable food source created
in Jackson, through which all residents can have access to fresh
and affordable organic produce, fuels him to continue to volunteer
countless hours, finance ninety percent of JIG’s budget, and mentor
youth. All of this is in addition to his full time job and responsibilities to his family of six. Farmer Tre’ is a remarkable leader, citizen
and volunteer, who makes a remarkable impact in the community.
DELMAR ROBINSON
Outstanding achievement in sustainable community solutions
Delmar Robinson is no stranger to service. His volunteer career
began in 1970 with the Cherokee Lions Club while working
with the National Park Service in North Carolina. After a decade of committed service, he was appointed by the Governor to
serve on the North Carolina Transportation Efficiency Council,
as well as a statewide strategic planning and goal setting task
force: The Governor’s Commission on NC 2000.
joined forces with the Jackson County Habitat for Humanity
to form Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast
(HFHMGC). Since that time, HFHMGC has built, repaired,
and rehabilitated over 465 homes utilizing over 25,000 local
and national volunteers. Through his leadership, HFHMGC
has grown by leaps and bounds: the HFHMGC staff has grown
from a few part-time individuals to a team of 34 professionals.
In 1986, Mother Mississippi saw the return of her native son
when he enlisted his talents as a volunteer with Habitat for
Humanity by helping to establish the Harrison County affiliate. Twenty-six years later, he sits as the Chairman of the
Board of Harrison County Habitat. Mr. Robinson had the
vision and saw the need to establish an organization that
would bring affordable housing for hard working families in
South Mississippi. He led the way with fundraising, bringing in $20,000 in the first major development campaign. After
Hurricane Katrina, Harrison County Habitat for Humanity
Additionally, under Mr. Robinson’s direction HFHMGC procured and renovated new office and warehouse space with New
Market Tax Credit Funding – an innovative funding method for
nonprofits. He also works diligently to garner support for families and community members through creative initiatives like
the Homeownership Incubator Program, LEED and Sustainable
Building, financial counseling, and outside mortgage financing.
Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast would not be
the successful organization it is today without the involvement,
commitment and leadership given by Delmar Robinson.
15
ALEXANDER’S PHOTOGRAPHY
Outstanding service by a business
Alexander and Diane Skalij, owners of Alexander’s Photography, are sought-after experienced professional photographers. They routinely photograph professional performers
from Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance,
American Idol, Las Vegas acts and professional ballet dancers
in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. But when not traveling
on these glamorous photo shoots, Alexander and Diane can be
found giving countless hours of invaluable pro bono photography services to the Gulf Coast community.
The Skalijs believe in living their daily lives by being kind,
showing respect, and recognizing and responding to those in
need. In 2011 alone, Alexander’s Photography provided over
$19,500 in in-kind photography services to South Mississippi
nonprofits. Alexander and Diane photographed the United Way
of South Mississippi’s Toast to Tocqueville event, CEO Talent
Show, and community campaign kickoff. They photographed
the third annual Diamonds for Dogs and Carats for Cats, benefiting the Humane Society of South Mississippi and providing
temporary homes to 125,000 homeless pets. They also provided
photography services to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony,
the Ocean Springs Walter Anderson Museum of Art, the Bacot/
16
McCarty Foundation, Gulf Coast Health Educators and the
Biloxi Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
Alexander and Diane provide the same outstanding services
to every organization, participating from beginning to end to
capture memories of rehearsals, set up, food and drinks, staff,
guests, décor, and other event details.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Alexander’s Photography
spent five months photographing the destruction ravaged by
the hurricane on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Those images
were provided at no charge to Biloxi mayor A.J. Holloway, Bill
Raymond of the Biloxi Historical Society, Mississippi Governor
Haley Barbour, Harrison County Emergency Management Director General Joseph Spraggins, and other Mississippi public
officials for the purpose of building national awareness of the
effects of Hurricane Katrina, and have been used in national
print publications as well as the City of Biloxi’s historical
archives.
The donation of Alexander and Diane’s immense talent and
time has truly made a positive difference for the citizens of
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
tippah county
good samaritan center - ripley
Outstanding achievement by a faith-based organization
In 1997, a diverse group of local pastors and laymen met at the
Ripley Presbyterian Church, to discuss how they could better
meet the needs of the people of Ripley. As a result, the Tippah
County Good Samaritan Center was conceived, and later incorporated in October of that year. The organization’s mission is
to counsel with and seek to meet the physical, emotional, social
and spiritual needs of Tippah County residents. The organization is unique for three reasons: it was formed by and continues to be made up of churches of all denominations and sizes;
it is supported by a wide body of churches, civic organizations,
schools and businesses; and all work is done by volunteers,
excepting IRS-required auditors.
The Tippah County Good Samaritan Center-Ripley serves
people who are in need, and who meet USDA guidelines, by
providing a box of food every thirty days and financial help
to pay utility bills. Volunteers from area churches collect,
sort and distribute the food boxes to families, as well as
supervise activities and conduct administrative duties of
the organization. The volunteer effort is extensive, with 25
local churches providing 40 volunteers every week to work
at the center throughout 2011. The center, along with its
sister branch in Walnut, served more than 14,000 people
and provided more than 250,000 pounds of food. The center
in Ripley also administered $4,468.00 in payment assistance
for electric and water bills.
Community support for the organization is widespread: Tippah County Schools collect canned goods and stables for the
center every Thanksgiving, and Blue Mountain College student
organizations collect food and volunteer on Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day of Service. The Peoples Bank Charities hold an
annual fundraiser for the effort, and additional support comes
from Walmart employees, Tippah County Jail trustees, and the
Ripley Food Giant.
The Tippah County Good Samaritan Center – Ripley is most
deserving of recognition for their vision and innovative solutions to help citizens in their community through faith-based
collaboration and volunteer mobilization.
17
honorable mentions
arline baker
wayne parker
Meridian resident Arline Baker has served as a Senior Corps
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) member for 25
years, volunteering with the United Way of East Mississippi,
historic Merrehope House, and the Mobile Access Unit (MAC)
community health center.
Wayne Parker’s genuine concern for those less fortunate inspired him to form the LifeShare Foundation to meet the needs
of Mississippi’s most at-risk and underprivileged children and
youth. He was also an avid volunteer at the Magnolia Speech
School and served on the Mississippi College Board of Directors (both as a member and Chairman).
Jerald Ball
As former Director of Volunteer Services at Mississippi State
Hospital (MSH), Jerald Ball created programs and leveraged
volunteers’ skills to improve the quality of life of all MSH patients. Thanks to Jerald’s many years of devotion to his work,
and continued involvement as a volunteer, MSH’s volunteer
program continues to grow and thrive.
james w. hill, sr.
James W. Hill, Sr., is a retired educator who has dedicated
many hours to fulfilling unmet needs in Lawrence County and
across the State of Mississippi. Hill volunteers with Habitat
for Humanity creating stable housing for families, assists
Family Health Care in meeting healthcare needs of the underserved, and works with the Five County Head Start program
increasing the social competence of young children in lowincome families.
teresa hill
Teresa Hill is a Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practitioner for the
University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has also served
as a volunteer member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi Board of Governors for six years. For thirteen years, she
offers a week of her vacation time to serve as the staff medical
professional for the Alvin P. Flannes Summer Camp, a free
camp for children with epilepsy. Hill, who experienced seizures
during childhood, wants each of these campers to experience
things at camp they might not otherwise get to experience
because of their medical conditions.
ronnie and brenda LUTHER
Ronnie and Brenda Luther formed the Clydesdale Christmas Store—named for Ronnie’s former employment with
Budweiser—so they could help families who could not afford
Christmas presents for their small children. Since 1994, the
Luthers have expanded their mission to include victims of
natural disasters, families impacted by catastrophic events,
residents of two area nursing homes, and military families.
18
rotary district 6820
Rotary District 6820 is comprised of 2,350 Rotarians in 44
Rotary Clubs in central Mississippi dedicated to serving others
locally and around the world through efforts to eradicate polio
and provide clean water to Malawi. District 6820 is a huge
proponent of the Between the Lions preschool literacy initiative, which dovetails with their dedication to education. They
sponsored the Mississippi Childrens Museum’s “Ready to Roar
Reading Time,” and volunteer extensively with the museum
and the initiative. Rotarians also act as mentors and tutors
in schools throughout the district, and award scholarships to
youth with leadership potential.
sue tolbert
Sue Tolbert has volunteered with the Salvation Army for
many years, serving on both its Board and Women’s Auxiliary. Tolbert frequently “adopts” families and individuals in
need, tirelessly matching resources to their needs, or filling
them herself when timing or lack of agency funds provide no
other solution. Sue is also an unofficial Salvation Army “first
responder,” coordinating volunteer and donation efforts during
hurricane, tornado and flooding disasters. Tolbert served as
a lead community liaison and helped manage and coordinate
the Salvation Army disaster assistance warehouse for three
months during the Great Flood of 2011.
mike wheatley
Mike Wheatley is a sibling of 15, Vietnam veteran, electrician,
bus driver, husband of 44 years, father, grandfather, and missionary to prisoners. He has served for two years as a Court
Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Jackson County, giving
over 550 hours in service to his CASA case children. Wheatley
provides a positive male presence in the lives of vulnerable
children and serves as a guiding hand and strong influence to
incarcerated young men.
thanks to our sponsors
josie s. shumake
sid davis
university of mississippi
boyles moak
caroline sims
larry’s auto sales, inc.
Roktabija Abdul-Azeez
19
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSION STAFF
Robin Robinson, Chair
W. David Mallery
Executive Director
Beth Fisher, Vice Chair
Deborah Bryant, Honorary Chair
Roktabija “Abdul”-Azeez
Durr Boyles
Dr. Daphne Buckley
Billy Campbell
Patty Cappaert
Dr. Richard L. Conville
Rene Dungan
Les Fillingame
Linda “L.L.” Gates
Perry Green
Mary Stewart Hurst
Tom Lord
Kelsey Pettus
William Richardson
Josie S. Shumake
Marcie Skelton
Lee Tucker
Maggie Wade-Dixon
Caroline Wicker Sims
Rodger Wilder
William “Quint” Withers, V
Danny Blue
Deputy Director
Finance & Administration
Brandi McNeil
Deputy Director
Program & Operations
Caitlin Brooking
Director of Program Development
Ola Cupstid
Sr. Financial Analyst
Krista Winfield Estes
Sr. Volunteer Generation Officer
Deirdra Harris Glover
Public Affairs Specialist
Susan Gregersen
Emergency Operations Manager
Suzanne Scales Rutherford
AmeriCorps VISTA Program Manager
Joy Smith
Operations Support Manager
Judy Stein
Sr. AmeriCorps Mississippi Officer
Sadelle Sweet
Program Inclusion Specialist
3825 Ridgewood Road, Suite 601, Jackson, Mississippi 39211
For more information or to receive this publication in an alternate format:
t. 601.432.6779 f. 601.432.6790 tf. 888.353.1793 tty: 601.432.6970
This publication is available online at www.mcvs.org.
Volunteer at www.volunteermississippi.org

GOVERNOR`S INITIATIVE FOR VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE

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