Excellence Recognized at Volunteer of the Year Event
In honor of National Volunteer Month, the Volunteer Center held it’s Volunteer of the Year event Thursday, April 20, at Temple Beth El in Harrisburg. Twenty-four individuals and seven groups nominated by area agencies were recognized during this annual celebration of volunteerism.
Carol Koppenhaver of Enola received the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with Caitlin’s Smiles. She volunteers each week and logged more than 900 hours in 2016. Some of the projects include making craft bags and delivering them to several hospitals, coordinating and making gift baskets for a silent auction, and helping to organize and run an annual fundraiser.
The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award went to Brandon Yorth of Millerstown. A full-time student at Carson Long Military Academy, he logged 98 hours of volunteer service during the 2015-2016 school year. Some of his many projects included performing with the academy’s glee club and drill team, serving as a military policeman for campus events, and shoveling snow for elderly campus residents. He also volunteers with his church and the Perry County Chamber of Commerce Food Truck Festival.
The Rutherford House Technology Team received the Volunteer Group of the Year Award for their work with the Rutherford House Senior Center. They provide weekly computer assistance to seniors, update computers and assist with special events. On average, they log 57 hours of service each month.
Cindy and Bob Heath of Red Lion were awarded the Volunteer Center Founder’s Award, which is presented to an individual who displays outstanding volunteer leadership. Cindy and Bob were drawn to serve Gaudenzia after the traumatic death of their son in 2007. They have organized and implemented events for the agency’s Chambers Hill Adolescent Program and recruited an active group of fellow volunteers to help. Over the past 10 years, Cindy and Bob have worked to instill encouragement, hope and motivation for each of the program’s participants.
Cheryl Hornung of Dauphin received the Essence of Humanity Award during the event for her demonstration of incredible strength, courage, determination, inspiration and persistence in the face of adversity. After losing her seven-year-old daughter, Caitlin, to cancer in 2004, Cheryl created the nonprofit organization, Caitlyn’s Smiles. The organization creates and distributes arts and craft bags for hospitalized children throughout nine different states. Last year more than 11,000 craft bags and 125,000 art kits were delivered, giving these children a therapeutic outlet for creativity and healing.
Nominees for the event were:
Adult Nominees
- Ron Blood, RSVP of the Capital Region, Inc.
- Susan Durborow, Suits to Careers
- Chris & Carol Green, Shalom House
- Shirley Horst, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
- Denise Hussar, Friendship Center
- Donna Johnson & Michael Tindell, Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg
- Debbie Karns, New Hope Ministries
- Greg King, HACC Foundation Board of Directors
- Janet Madden, Claremont Nursing and Rehab Center
- Bernadette Obringer, Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
- Karen Paris, Joshua Group
- Bob Roebuck, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Aisha Stinson, National MS Society
- Julie Toth, Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association
Youth Nominees
- Jacob Parker, Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association
- Sophia Parker, Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association
- Brayden Stroup, Caitlin’s Smiles
- Joseph Underkoffler, Dauphin County Library System
- Justin Yutesler, RSVP of the Capital Region, Inc.
Group Nominees
- CCU Prison Action Committee, Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area
- Naval Activity Mechanicsburg, Federal Day of Service, National MS Society
- Hershey Aquatics Team, Special Olympics – Area M
- Hummelstown Elder Express, RSVP of the Capital Region, Inc.
- Small Animal House Volunteers, Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association
- Shelter Buddies, Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
