Richland One honors volunteers at annual celebration

Richland One’s Volunteers and Mentoring Programs held its annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast recently to say " thank you" to the hundreds of persons who serve in a variety of volunteer roles in the district. This year’s theme was "Volunteers---are treasures."

The following awards were presented at the breakfast:

2003 Volunteer of the Year: Elsie and Tom Ingle, who volunteer at H.B. Rhame Elementary School They can be found at the school before the day begins and long after it ends. Their willingness to do whatever is asked of them knows no bounds. In most cases, their offer to help is made before it is even requested.  It is not unusual to see them moving furniture, setting up a classroom or mopping a floor. They help with parent workshops and assist in the classroom working with individual students. 

2003 Volunteer Group of the Year: the W.G. Sanders Middle School Improvement Council (SIC).  For the past several years, this School Improvement Council has worked tirelessly on projects to benefit the students, staff and community of their school.  They have addressed issues such as safety, comfort and academic achievement.  The cafeteria parking area was restructured to eliminate the danger of traffic conflicting with the dismissal of the children throughout the school day.  For many years the school administration had attempted unsuccessfully to secure funding to air-condition their gymnasium.  Through this SIC’s efforts, the school now has an air-conditioned gymnasium. 

2003 Elementary School Volunteer Most Hours: Karen Madison-Walker, Lewis Greenview Elementary School, 3150 hours.

2003 Middle School Volunteer Most Hours: Carrie Smith, W.G. Sanders Middle School , 720 hours.

2003 High School Volunteer Most Hours: Amy Fling, A.C. Flora High School, 847 hours.

Additional awards presented were:

2003 Sam Hopkins Volunteer Administrator of the Year: Susan Childs, dean of students, A.C. Flora High School. Her high school has been able to shine through her organizational ability to unite students groups, parent groups, district personnel and community leaders to formulate cohesive plans to benefit the school as a whole.  Her presence at all parent organizational meetings, student government meetings, athletic meetings, teacher meetings and community meetings unites efforts and promotes volunteerism.  Her personal enthusiasm and rapport with students, parents and staff truly create an atmosphere in which individuals want to volunteer and make a difference within the community and the school. 

2003 The Stevenson Award of Excellence, Dr. Marty Martin, principal of A.C. Flora High School.  This award recognizes excellence in volunteer administration.

2003 Partnership of the Year, St. Andrews Baptist Church’s Kids Cafe and H.B. Rhame Elementary School. This partner has provided after-school care for the past two years in a safe, secure environment in which the students have an opportunity to participate in educational and recreational activities that help them become successful, responsible young people. Through the partner’s support, 25 families are involved in a program that provides nutritional meals to their children twice a week.   This program provides a safe environment with supervision by a trustworthy staff and involves community programs and family members in a café-style environment. There are 40 volunteers that give of their time and talents to make this partnership a reality. These volunteers help to increase students’ academic success as evidenced by improved grades on report cards and required standardized test scores. 

2003 Lunch Buddy Bus Driver of the Year, Mary Scott, school bus driver for the Governor’s Office Continuum of Care. The Lunch Buddies report that this bus driver is a kind and pleasant person and, most of all, a good driver.  She goes above and beyond with her acts of kindness.  She arrives 30 minutes prior to departure time and, when it is time for them to board the bus, she pulls to the door, ensuring their safety and protection from inclement weather. Additionally, she gives them treats. The treat may be an extra smile, a hug for a few or a lollipop.

It was announced that Lower Richland High School had the most volunteer hours for high schools with 57,476; Crayton had the most volunteer hours for middle schools with 6,670 and Lewis Greenview had the most for elementary Schools with 35,021 hours.