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Giving From the Heart: United Way honors volunteers at annual luncheon

By Dee Henry | Hickory Daily Record

Published: November 14, 2008

NEWTON - A person who works with hospice, a group that helps protect the rights of children and a teenager who helps bring 4-H to other teens were recognized for their contributions at a special luncheon Thursday at Catawba County Country Club.

The Volunteer Center of the Catawba County United Way honored some of its volunteers, awarding each winner in three categories with $500 to go to the organization of their choice.

Gwen Beatty, of Sherrills Ford, received the individual award for her work with Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba County.

"Gwen is able to make the young and old feel at ease, she can sooth emotional pain and loneliness with simple thoughtful actions — sending birthday cards, making calls, baking a cake, sharing a joke. She makes difficult situations normal," said Eva Narvaez in her nomination of Beatty.

Beatty said her decision to help came after retiring from a 42-year career to take care of her family members suffering from health issues.

"I retired to take care of everybody else, but when they didn't need me, I decided I needed something to do and these wonderful people," she said looking at her co-workers at hospice, "said, 'come on down.'"

Vivian Scott, volunteer services coordinator, said Beatty is always busy with the organization.

"She always has at least two patients," Scott said, adding at one time, Beatty had eight people to help. "She has never told us no."

Lauren Riley, of Newton, was visibly pleased with her award in the youth category. But she has her aim a little higher. When asked what she would like do as a career, she answered, "government." The specific position she would like if the opportunity arose?

"Governor," she said with a large grin

Riley has put in more than 300 volunteer hours with Cooperative Extension's 4-H program, teaching workshops, day camps and assisting with programs and office work. In particular, Riley said she enjoys the 4-H Summer Fun camps.

"It's just such a great learning experience for teenagers," she said of the program.

"The classes that Lauren has taught through 4-H Summer Fun have been a wonderful addition to our offerings, but more importantly Lauren is a positive role model to other youth. She demonstrates maturity, responsibility and respectfulness to others," wrote Donna Mull of the Catawba County 4-H program in her nomination letter.

Riley said she was overwhelmed by her award.

"I enjoy my time with 4-H so much, but to get an award for my work …" she said.

The group winner was the Guardian ad Litem program with the 25th Judicial District for their work in protecting the rights of children.

"They receive nothing tangible in return (for their work) but their rewards are the smiles that come from the resolutions that the volunteer brings about in the children's lives," said Angela Phillips, district administrator with the program.

The program consists of 80 volunteers who act as court advocates for children going into foster care due to being abused or neglected.

"They see the most egregious cases of neglect and they just plow on through," Phillips said. "I am just privileged to work with them, I learn more from them than they do from me.

The lunch is an annual event put on by the United Way. This year's speaker, Kitty Barnes, chairwoman of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, said it is an important one.

"It's something we don't think often enough to recognize, the work of people who expect nothing in return but a smile," Barnes said. "May all the love you give to others come back to you 10-fold."

2008 North Carolina Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service Recipients

Rebecca Steelmon – Recognized for service to Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area
Polly Shook – Recognized for service to Catawba Valley Medical Center
Cissy Fish – Recognized for service to YMCA of Catawba Valley
ECCCM Warehouse Volunteers – Recognized for service to Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry
Paragon Design Group – Recognized for service to Women's Resource Center
Giving From the Heart Award Nominees

Individual Nominees

Gwen Beatty (nominated by Eva Narvaez, Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba County)
Gwen is a patient care volunteer for Hospice of Catawba County where her main role is to provide support to patients and their families.

Elberta Coulter (nominated by Amanda Hartness and Cindy Norris, Adult Life Programs)
When Elberta walks in the door at the Adult Life Programs center, the participants come alive.

Cissy Fish (nominated by Phil DiCasolo, YMCA of the Catawba Valley)
Cissy started the "Girls on the Run" program in 2006. She serves as a positive adult role model to young girls.

Rachel Smith (nominated by Preston Springer, East Catawba Young Life)
Rachel fills a need for responsible caring adults to spend time with teenagers in our high schools.

Lynne Steg (nominated by Susan Huttman, Women's Resource Center)
Lynne has donated over 450 hours of service within the last year to the Women's Resource Center.

Group Nominees

Guardian ad Litem (nominated by Angela Phillips, District Administrator, Guardian ad Litem Program – 25th Judicial District)
These volunteers serve as court advocates for children entering foster care due to abuse and/or neglect.

Adult Basic Education Class Teachers (nominated by Rev. Tony Bunton, Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry)
These ladies are dedicated and committed teachers who care enough to give their time so that others have an opportunity to learn.

Allen Frye Extension & Community Association (nominated by Glennie Daniels, Catawba County Extension & Community Association)
This group of women always has an open ear and a helping hand for others who need their assistance. They act as a group or individually to address community needs.

Bits & Bridles 4-H Club Parents (nominated by Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H)
This group of volunteers helps the horse club to focus on citizenship. The 4-H clubs utilize adult volunteers to serve as leaders.

John Cutchin Law Firm (nominated by Susan Huttman, Women's Resource Center)
This group created, organized and sponsored a benefit concert to bring awareness to the community about Women's Resource Center.

Life Skills Class 135 (Kandi Dubuque, Meals on Wheels)
The members of the Life Skills Day program are active participants in delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound persons.

The Tuesday Morning Book Club – Beth Eden Lutheran Church (nominated by Sharon Sigmon, Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry)
This group sponsors monthly food drives to benefit ECCCM. In 2007, 2,196 pounds of food was collected.

Tying & Tacking Ladies (nominated by David Garrison, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church ELCA)
Since 2003, this group has made close to 1,880 quilts. These ladies give much of their time and get a lot of satisfaction by distributing the quilts to those in need locally and overseas.

Youth Nominees

Lauren Riley (nominated by Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H)
Over the past three years, Lauren has volunteered in excess of 300 hours introducing other youth to 4-H by teaching workshops, day camps and assisting with programs and office work.

Kaitlin Duncan (nominated by Girl Scout Council of Catawba County)
Kaitlin leads by example and her commendable energy level has a powerful impact on the lives she touches on a daily basis.

Kirsten Alyssa Scheil (nominated by Dave Clark, Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba County)
Kirsten, 17 years old, has been volunteering as a patient care volunteer at Hospice since she was 14. She has learned to provide compassion, companionship and understanding to patients facing the most difficult of circumstances.