Occasion Salutes Community, Campus Volunteers
Contact: Center for Community Service, (740) 593-4007
ATHENS, Ohio (April 27, 2001) -- Several community and Ohio University student organizations were recognized for their outstanding volunteer work at the fifth annual Community Service Volunteer Celebration on Tuesday, April 24, at the Athens Community Center. The celebration, which was sponsored by the Center for Community Service at Ohio University, was timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week and offered thanks and recognition to a few of the many individuals and organizations working throughout the year to fulfill human needs in the community.
The Keystone Award, for exceptional and sustained community service, was presented to Bank One for its annual Coats for Kids campaign; to Kids on Campus for work on behalf of children and families; and to Neighbors Helping Neighbors for dedication to fulfilling unmet, pressing needs in the community.
The Student Alumni Board, headed by Michael Murphy, and Habitat for Humanity, headed by Amanda Metcalf, were recognized for their work with the Ohio University Coalition for Habitat. The Black Student Communication Caucus was recognized, along with the group's Community Service Coordinator Angela Gist, for work with campus and community organizations such as ReUse Industries, the WOUB-TV telethon, the Habitat Service Fest and their efforts to recruit minority students. Alpha Phi Omega also was recognized for its work with the Athens AIDS Task Force.
Community-based organizations recognized for sustained volunteer partnerships included: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center and ReUse Industries.
Others who were recognized include Karin Sandell, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Julie Barnhart Sparks, coordinator of the America Reads program, and Jadey Berger, community service coordinator in Residence Life at Ohio University. Michelle Ajamian of Rural Action Inc. was thanked for her special contributions to service learning activities.
The Center for Community Service has been marking National Volunteer Week, April 21 to 28, by arranging 15 service projects around the Athens County area. During the 1999-2000 academic year, the center coordinated efforts for 7,000 Ohio University students who provided 203,000 hours of community service.
