May 19, 2008

Making an impact

Junior League awards selfless heroes at luncheon

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Seven hundred and fifty people attended the Junior League of San Jose’s signature event—the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon—held at the Marriott on April 25.

Project Cornerstone Executive Director Anne Ehresman and Junior League Crystal Ball winner Felicia Mulvany

“Welcome to my favorite Junior League event of the year,” said president Dawn Bussey. “Community volunteers are the heart and soul of Silicon Valley. And they truly make an impact.”

The JL of San Jose is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon has honored the dedication, action and compassion of volunteers in Santa Clara County for 39 years honoring nearly 6,000 volunteers.

The 2008 JL Volunteer Recognition Luncheon honored 140 individuals who make a difference. Emcee NBC 11 evening news anchor Lisa Kim introduced the volunteers.

Alana Hawkins is a dedicated volunteer in the Fresh Lifelines for Youth as a volunteer facilitator and educator for the Middle School Prevention and Legal Eagles Programs. Working with at-risk juveniles she teaches young people about law and the consequences of crime while building their skills in problem solving and anger management.

Students at Noddin Elementary School have benefited from the efforts of Sandy Carboni-Wardwell who has been involved in producing the school variety show, working as a safety patrol parent coordinator, a room parent, a walk-a-thon chair and a volunteer at both the spring and holiday fairs. During her 13-year tenure, she has also raised funds for the Union Middle School arts program and revamped the Noddin School Olympic Day.

Cathy Crockett of Hospice of the Valley helps individuals close to death keep their remaining time as peaceful as possible with her work with clients in need. She provides Reiki treatments and patient support. She even devised a creative armchair tour of the United States for a client who enjoyed traveling.

Felecia Mulvany’s personal experience was the inspiration to create Project Cornerstone’s Asset Building Champions Program [ABC], a parent-run initiative where volunteers lead classroom activities focusing on conflict resolution and tolerance.

Mulvany was looking for a way to decrease bullying at her son’s school—now the program is in place at 39 schools in Santa Clara County touching over 32,000 students a month.

As resident of Mercy Housing, Shanette Naylor chose to make the complex a better place. She helps out in the resident services office, works with youth in the after-school program, organizes special events like the cooking club for children, providing new ideas for programs and even cooking the Thanksgiving turkey and desserts herself brainstorming ways to have a wonderful holiday with a budget of only $100.

When Judy Nickle’s grandson was lured into the gang environment, she had to take action founding the Grannys Against Gangs and recruiting San Jose Police Department, San Jose City Council and her local school district to support efforts to educate kids and parents of the dangers of gangs. She publicized and has held three successful sessions at local schools.

As the Good Samaritan Junior Auxiliary President Amna Qamar’s outstanding service includes chairing and running youth leader meetings, acting as volunteer shift leader, providing support for the neo-natal intensive care unit, and organizing a movie night. And she does this all while a senior at Presentation High School.

National Alliance on Mental Illness’ [NAMI] Sharon Roth saw a need for improved law enforcement training in the area of mental illness. She led an effort to implement Crisis Intervention Techniques training to San Jose law enforcement making them the first California agency to receive such training.

Turning Wheels for Kids [TWK] founder Susan Runsvold provides new bicycles for underprivileged kids. In 2007, she organized 600 volunteers who assembled 2,400 bicycles. It all started in 2003 when Runsvold bought 12 bikes and helmets to donate to needy children.

“It was such a surprise and an honor to be nominated by the auspices of VMC,” said Runsvold. “But the work goes on; we have several more fundraisers coming like the Death Ride in the Sierras. It’s very exciting.”

Tom Shui brought magic into the first-grade classrooms of Oster Elementary School as well as learning of science and math. His dedication extends to providing the classroom with supplies and giving each child their own CD to document the year's activities. But the magic doesn't stop there. Shui may be found running the field with students for P.E., grading math packets, helping with art projects and event scrubbing tables.

“I’m very proud to have nominated Tom,” said Oster Elementary School teacher Mary Jo Sponseller. “Every Monday he brings his magic tricks and teaches the kids science and math, gives them all the materials and a CD and helps at many events. “He does this to do the right thing. It takes a village as they say.”

Santa Clara and San Mateo counties’ Second Harvest Food Bank’s Patti Voshall is known as “a force of one.” Her efforts include partnerships between Second Harvest and City Team Ministries, the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, Special Olympics and others. Her success in recruiting resulted in developing her own network of 350 volunteers. Voshall is a team leader for food sorts and creator of the 13-year Lockheed Martin Annual Toys for Tots Cookbook that extends to Lockheed Martin locations throughout the United States.