2009 Women of Excellence Celebration

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:17:00 GMT

03-Apr-2009 - On March 22^nd , twenty-three area women were honored for their outstanding volunteer service to the community at the 2009 Women of Excellence Celebration. Started in 1989, this Celebration was organized by Providence Hospital's Women's Center. It was created to give service clubs, schools, and churches an opportunity to honor area women for their volunteer service. This year’s event was organized by The Volunteer Center and sponsored by Northern Ohio Medical Specialists (NOMS). Each nominee was recognized for her accomplishments and received a necklace sponsored by the Zonta Club of Sandusky.

The Volunteer Center of Erie County and NOMS are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Women of Excellence Recognition.

Charlene Adams was nominated by Alpha Community for her work in our community. Current volunteer activities include serving Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church as an Evangelist Choir director, Dean of the Bible Institute, New Member’s Class instructor and working in the women’s ministry. Charlene is an advisor for the Sandusky Gospel Choir, belongs to the NAACP, participates in a neighborhood cleanup program and the ACTSO- Afro-Cultural-Technology-Science Olympics.

Annis Apple was nominated by the Boys and Girls Club. She is a founding and current board member of the Boys and Girls Club, volunteering to work with the children and help with the club’s fundraisers. Annis is a 1996 LEADS graduate and volunteers for a number of community organizations. For nine years, she has been a Big Sister for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. At the Chapel, Annis volunteers with The Chapel Youth Group. A member of Newcomer’s Club, she is a past board member and officer. For six summers, Annis’s family has housed members of the Bay Stars Baseball team.

Mary Feick Howe Baughman was nominated by both the College Women’s Club and Kiwanis Club of Sandusky. As a member of the College Women’s Club, Mary has served as president, secretary and publicity chairman. As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Sandusky, Mary served as the chair of the International Understanding Committee. This lead to her founding Adventures in Friendship in 2002, a program that mentors foreign students who work and live in our area by pairing them with an American family. Recent accomplishments include creating a Facebook page that allows students and mentors to stay connected, and directing a film about this endeavor.

Gabriele Beck was nominated by the Board of Directors of The Volunteer Center for her service to the community. Gabriele is on the Board of the Museum of Carrousel Art and History, where she serves as Grant Writing Chair; on the advisory board of United Way 211; a confirmation teacher at Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton; a merit badge counselor for Boy Scout Troop 360; and volunteers for the Port Clinton Music Boosters. In 1996, Gabriele received the Outstanding Young Citizen Award from the Sandusky Jaycees.

The late Coralee Bosworth was nominated by Volunteers of American. She was a strong advocate for housing with a vision of independence for everyone. Her guiding principles about the value of affordable, accessible housing came from her own personal experience with a disability. Her commitment to this vision was evident in the development and construction of a new HUD housing project called Corason Place. Coralee partnered with Volunteers of America to help build community support for the project emphasizing the importance of housing designed to meet the needs of people with a physical disability.

Melinda S. Carpenter was nominated by the Newcomers and Friends Club. An active member of the Newcomers and Friends Club for six years, Melissa has held a number of offices including President for one year, Vice-President/ Ways and Means Chair for four years, and third Vice President/ Special Interest for one year. During the three years Melinda chaired the Tea Cup Auction, the club raised over $45,000. For the past two years, on Friday nights, in fall Melinda could be found running the Margaretta Music Organization Football concession stand. Other volunteer work includes serving Margaretta Parent Care as President, Treasurer, and JV Football concession stand coordinator; Ohio Reads volunteer; Margaretta PTO President, Vice President and PTO Carnival Chairman.

Bridget Castle was nominated by the Merry Go Round Museum where she serves on the Board of Directors and has been treasurer for the past five years. Bridget is also serving as the chair of the Development and Planned Giving Committee. She has participated in the Museum’s fundraisers including the Follies, American Girl parties, New Year’s Eve Gala’s and many more. Bridget’s efforts as Treasurer make it possible for the museum to coordinate activities and fundraisers with other nonprofit organizations in our community.

Mary Ann Chimera was nominated by the Sandusky Bay Area Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She was honored as much for her service to the community as for her service to the Sandusky Bay Area Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association where she is secretary and fundraising chair. Other volunteer work includes serving as secretary of the Erie County Democratic Party for the past 12 years and as precinct chairman participating in a number of political campaigns from 1988 to 2002. A founding director of KinShip, she served the agency from 1999 to 2007 in various positions. Mary Ann has volunteered as an adult literacy tutor for the Sandusky Public Library since 1988 and is serving St. Mary’s Parish as a lector and Eucharistic minister.

Joyce Schlessman Deering was nominated by Friends of Erie MetroParks.

She was been the president of Friends of Erie MetroParks since 2000 and has helped build the organization to a membership that includes 280 families and 75 to 100 active volunteers. Major projects the Friends group that have developed under her guidance includes the popular “Go Take A Hike” program, the annual Pedal Erie Parks bike tour, a pumpkin painting event at Harvest Happenings and the new Dog Park located at Osborn Park. Joyce is involved in include serving on the 4-H Camp Board and as a Western Reserve Music Teacher’s Guild officer.

Kelly Bleile Dete was nominated by the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross. She joined their Board of Directors in 1996. She served as Vice Chairperson from 1998-2001 and Board chair from 2001-2004. Many of Kelly’s volunteer activities center around raising money for various causes such as Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross, Stein Hospice, Volunteers of America, Make A Wish Foundation and many more. Kelly and friend Linda Becker have held an event called the “Charity Party” for the past 14 years. At this party, people are invited to donate the money they would have spent going out for the evening, rising between $15,000-25,000 annually.

Wendy Dobyns was nominated by the Sandusky Main Street Association for her volunteer work for the organization. She has helped coordinate the volunteers, assisted with the set up of the Party at The Plaza Concert Series, helped with sales for the Duck Derby fundraiser and assisted with the set up of the Toast of the A Town event. She is a member of the Promotion Committee. In 2008, she was Sandusky Main Street Association Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Past Community volunteer work includes serving as a Sunday school teacher at St. Mary’s Church, and volunteering in the Physical Therapy Department at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Carol Grubb was nominated by the American Association of University Women. A forty year member of AAUW, Carol Grubb has served as corresponding secretary, book sale chairman and hostess chairman. Other volunteer work includes serving the Knights of Columbus/ Grotto and Shrine as Scholarship Dance Publicity Chairman for three years and Secretary for two. This dance is held to raise scholarship money for needy students to attend BGSU Firelands College. She has been the Music Director at Mother’s Club for Job’s Daughters for two years. At Zion Lutheran Church, Carol has been a Bible School teacher/aide and usher.

Diane Hahler-Johnson was nominated by Erie MetroParks. She has been a volunteer there since 1999. Diane has been a butterfly monitor, program assistant at Nature Camp, director of pumpkin painting for Harvest Happenings, and has assisted at open houses and the annual Safety Fair. Diane has been an advocate for 27 children in the Juvenile Court system over the past 13 years s a CASA volunteer. She is a mentor to two teenage girls in the ROY Big Brother, Big Sister program. Additionally, she is a wish granter with the Make A Wish Foundation, meeting with the families of children with chronic diseases, completing the paperwork, shopping for the wishes and delivering the wishes to the children.

Joy Hillman was nominated by the Huron Chamber of Commerce. She has been a board member of the Huron Chamber of Commerce for four years, and as President for the past two. In 2006, Joy was elected to the Huron City Schools Board of Education serving as vice president for two years and is currently serving as president. She is an active member of the Huron Athletic Boosters, including serving in the Mother’s Group which provides meals and other goodies for the Huron Tiger athletes. Other volunteer activities include serving as past treasurer of Temple Oheb Shalom Sisterhood for seven years, and serving as deputy treasurer of the Huron Win’s levy committee in 2006.

Phyllis Kerlin was nominated by the Ohio Veterans Home. She has served the Ohio Veterans Home in a number of positions including spousal care, decorating the bulletin board in Seacrest Dining Room, hanging Christmas decorations, assisting with trips and bingo. She is a charter member of the Red Hats Society and often escorts the lady veterans to gatherings or field trips. She helps serve at Tuesday Coffee Hours. Phyllis has shared her culinary talents with the residents and staff of the Veterans’ home by bringing in her homemade goodies for a unit, the Red Hat gatherings and even employee fundraisers.

Carol Marsinick was nominated by the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 17. Carol Marsinick has been an honorary member of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary since 1996 and has been volunteering at the Ohio Veterans Home since 1995. She has been a very active volunteer since then totaling 3,485 hours to date. Carol assists with dinners, bingos, pinochle games and post trips and is a member of the Mad Hatters of Firelands, Chapter 56599 and often contributes baked goods and other treats for the meetings.

Marilyn McKenna was nominated by Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She serves as Eucharistic Minister and Minister to the Homebound distributing Holy Communion both in Church and also to homebound parishioners. Marilyn has served as an officer of the Rosary Altar Society for the past twenty years and is currently serving as president. She is the chairman of the Ecumenical Committee and serves on the funeral luncheon committee. At least once a week, Marilyn volunteers as an office aide in the church office. During the school year, one can find Marilyn volunteering in the kitchen at Sandusky Central Catholic Schools and at Sts. Peter and Paul campus every Monday.

Leola M. Schafer was nominated by the Sandusky Area Zonta Club. She has been as member since 1967, and has held numerous positions within the club. These include serving as president for two years, vice-president for two years, director for seven years and parliamentarian for ten years. She has been a delegate representing the local Zonta chapter at several conferences and district conventions. In 2006, Leola received Woman of Excellence Recognition from the Sandusky Area Zonta Club.

Susan Schultz was nominated for this award by the Sandusky Rotary Club for her artistic vision and leadership skills in researching, designing, and building the “Path to Freedom” sculpture in Sandusky Facer Park. As Chairman of the Design Committee for the Sandusky Main Street Association, she initiated project including hand painting a mural in Peddler’s Alley, decorations in vacant buildings and flower baskets. Susan has served on the boards of numerous community agencies. Current board membership includes United Way, The Ohio State University Alumni Club, the North Coast Cancer Foundation, and the Sandusky Concert Association.

Carol Didelius Stephens was nominated by theErie County Republican Women.

Her nomination states that Carol is a person who always says “How can I help?” She has given generously of her time to assist with the Erie County Fair Tent, Milan Melon Festival, Cedar Point Bucks for Boosters, and the Republican Headquarters with phone and email communications. She had also served on the Executive Board of ECRW. Other organizations Carol has been affiliated with include serving as president and secretary of the Erie –Huron District Ohio Nurses Association, The Ohio State University College of Nursing Alumnae, Sandusky Area Health Education Center as member of the Advisory Committee and The Erie County Retired Teachers Association.

Donna Swackhamer was nominated by Firelands Habitat For Humanity. She has volunteered for volunteered for Firelands Habitat for Humanity for the past seven years. In that time, she has filled a number of positions. Currently, she is in the fifth year on the Habitat Board of Directors. She has been involved with the Family Selection committee, served as a mentor and the steering committee for Women Build. Donna is a member of the Firelands Habitat Speakers Bureau. Donna states that she “has been known to swing a mean hammer and do some mighty fine painting”.

IdaBelle Teasel was nominated by the Erie County Historical Society. She has been a member of the Erie County Historical Society since 1989, and is currently secretary and treasurer. A Life Member of the Ohio VFW Auxiliary, IdaBelle is a past president and currently treasurer of the Sandusky Chapter. She has also held District and State Chairmanships. The Ohio VFW Auxiliary named IdaBelle volunteer of the year 2005-06. IdaBelle is active in other organizations these include: being a Life Member and Chairman of the Sewing Circle for the Magruder Hospital Auxiliary; serving as secretary of the Republican Central Committee; and serving on the worship committee, the missions committee, and as a lay reader at Grace Episcopal Church.

Gayle Tremmel was nominated by Helpmates Auxiliary of Volunteers of America.

For the past 25 years, Gayle Tremmel has been a member of Helpmates, serving as president for the last ten. Gayle crochets shawls, lap robes, hats, and scarves for the residents of Erie County nursing homes and Sandusky City schools children. This past Christmas, Helpmates purchased over 130 sweatshirts, and over 200 hats and gloves to donate to needy children. In her role as President, Gayle keeps track of the finances, prepares an annual report, organizes and hosts the annual recognition luncheon for over 75 volunteers and coordinates the distribution of over 8,000 homemade and purchased gifts each year.

Gabriele Beck
Executive Director
The Volunteer Center of Erie County
174 E. Market St.
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-627-0074
www.thevolunteercenter.com

News - NOMS

2009 Women of Excellence Celebration