Post by Arch on Nov 24, 2010 9:32:32 GMT -6
Volunteerism is a vital part in the backbone of society. Many kids were recognized for their efforts and congratulations to them all. Countless others also continue to volunteer throughout the community and to each of them, a very big Thank You for everything you do for others.
naperville.patch.com/articles/service-with-a-smile-naperville-young-people-honored-for-their-good-deeds
Service With a Smile: Naperville Young People Honored for Their Good Deeds
A group of 21 young volunteers get much-deserved recognition at the 18th annual Naperville Youth Service Awards.
For Miriam Kotacka, volunteering produces its own reward. But on Tuesday night, Kotacka and 20 other area young people were honored at the Naperville Youth Service Awards.
"It's very touching to hear I've moved the lives of others through volunteering," said Kotacka, who was nominated by Naper Settlement. "Of course, volunteering is its own reward."
The 18th annual event was held in the Naperville Council Chambers. Mayor George Pradel, the entire city council and KidsMatter attended the event. All expressed a great amount of pride for the accomplishments achieved by the nominated young people.
Ryan Maher, a sophomore at Naperville Central High School, said he felt honored to be nominated by the Naperville Junior Exchange Club for the award. Sarah Maher, Ryan's aunt, nominated him, but with good reason.
Ryan started volunteering at Naperville's RibFest when he was 6 years old. During the past 10 years he's been one of the most dedicated volunteers, providing over 400 hours of community service.
"It's not really work," Maher said. "I consider it a mini-vacation. It's the highlight of my summer."
While most of the young volunteers said they didn't think they deserved an award for their service, Dilara Sayeed disagreed. The KidsMatters board of trustees vice president said the ceremony was an opportunity to thank the volunteers for their commitment to improving the city.
"We want to validate what they are doing," Sayeed said. "We also want to share with the community what they are doing."
Helping the community is what motivates Kevin Conne to volunteer. A freshman at Naperville Central, Conne has spent hundreds of hours providing community service to Feed My Starving Children.
"I just think that people need help," Conne said. "It makes me feel very happy to be helping people who need help."
KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold said she felt inspired by the wide array of accomplishments achieved by the young volunteers. She said each volunteer was a gift to the community.
Forrest Kellogg pointed out that being able to provide service was a gift to him. Kellogg, a junior at Waubonsie Valley High School, was nominated by GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley, which helps provide resources for children with Down syndrome.
Kellogg said that before he started volunteering, he wasn't a nice guy. Now he said he understands others better and treats everyone with respect and kindness.
In total, the group of 21 middle school and high school students have completed over 3,000 hours of community service. Each of the students was nominated by one organization, but many of them volunteer through multiple groups.
"The recurring theme is the organization they received an award from is not the only organization they volunteer at," said Katie Russell, KidsMatter program manager. "The hundreds and hundreds of hours — plus all the other extracurricular activities — the achievements of these kids are unbelievable."
2010 Naperville Youth Service Awards
Nominating Organization - Youth Award Recipient
American Cancer Society - Michael Gustafson
Boy Scouts of America: Thunderbird District - Kara Kolany
DuPage Children's Museum - Nicole Polanco
Edward Hospital - Jason Steinberg
Fair Lady Productions, Inc. Kidz Kabaret - Maggie Hiltz
Feed My Starving Children - Kevin Conne
Forest Preserve District of Will County - Mitchell Dreiske
GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley - Forrest Kellogg
Heritage YMCA Group - Dana Norris
Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry - Nick Donnnantuono
The Morton Arboretum - Emma Langer
Naper Settlement - Miriam Kotacka
Naperville Area Humane Society - Michelle Wilson
Naperville Central High School Rotary Interact Club - Brittany Ruhland
Naperville Junior Exchange Club - Ryan Maher
Naperville Park District - Sheridan Carroll
Naperville Public Library - Leslie Nemo
NCO Youth and Family Services - Kristin Doherty
NCO Youth and Family Services - Matt Feldmeier
Neuqua Valley High School Interact Club - Samarth Chopra
Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Riding Facility - Mariah Afshari
naperville.patch.com/articles/service-with-a-smile-naperville-young-people-honored-for-their-good-deeds
Service With a Smile: Naperville Young People Honored for Their Good Deeds
A group of 21 young volunteers get much-deserved recognition at the 18th annual Naperville Youth Service Awards.
For Miriam Kotacka, volunteering produces its own reward. But on Tuesday night, Kotacka and 20 other area young people were honored at the Naperville Youth Service Awards.
"It's very touching to hear I've moved the lives of others through volunteering," said Kotacka, who was nominated by Naper Settlement. "Of course, volunteering is its own reward."
The 18th annual event was held in the Naperville Council Chambers. Mayor George Pradel, the entire city council and KidsMatter attended the event. All expressed a great amount of pride for the accomplishments achieved by the nominated young people.
Ryan Maher, a sophomore at Naperville Central High School, said he felt honored to be nominated by the Naperville Junior Exchange Club for the award. Sarah Maher, Ryan's aunt, nominated him, but with good reason.
Ryan started volunteering at Naperville's RibFest when he was 6 years old. During the past 10 years he's been one of the most dedicated volunteers, providing over 400 hours of community service.
"It's not really work," Maher said. "I consider it a mini-vacation. It's the highlight of my summer."
While most of the young volunteers said they didn't think they deserved an award for their service, Dilara Sayeed disagreed. The KidsMatters board of trustees vice president said the ceremony was an opportunity to thank the volunteers for their commitment to improving the city.
"We want to validate what they are doing," Sayeed said. "We also want to share with the community what they are doing."
Helping the community is what motivates Kevin Conne to volunteer. A freshman at Naperville Central, Conne has spent hundreds of hours providing community service to Feed My Starving Children.
"I just think that people need help," Conne said. "It makes me feel very happy to be helping people who need help."
KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold said she felt inspired by the wide array of accomplishments achieved by the young volunteers. She said each volunteer was a gift to the community.
Forrest Kellogg pointed out that being able to provide service was a gift to him. Kellogg, a junior at Waubonsie Valley High School, was nominated by GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley, which helps provide resources for children with Down syndrome.
Kellogg said that before he started volunteering, he wasn't a nice guy. Now he said he understands others better and treats everyone with respect and kindness.
In total, the group of 21 middle school and high school students have completed over 3,000 hours of community service. Each of the students was nominated by one organization, but many of them volunteer through multiple groups.
"The recurring theme is the organization they received an award from is not the only organization they volunteer at," said Katie Russell, KidsMatter program manager. "The hundreds and hundreds of hours — plus all the other extracurricular activities — the achievements of these kids are unbelievable."
2010 Naperville Youth Service Awards
Nominating Organization - Youth Award Recipient
American Cancer Society - Michael Gustafson
Boy Scouts of America: Thunderbird District - Kara Kolany
DuPage Children's Museum - Nicole Polanco
Edward Hospital - Jason Steinberg
Fair Lady Productions, Inc. Kidz Kabaret - Maggie Hiltz
Feed My Starving Children - Kevin Conne
Forest Preserve District of Will County - Mitchell Dreiske
GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley - Forrest Kellogg
Heritage YMCA Group - Dana Norris
Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry - Nick Donnnantuono
The Morton Arboretum - Emma Langer
Naper Settlement - Miriam Kotacka
Naperville Area Humane Society - Michelle Wilson
Naperville Central High School Rotary Interact Club - Brittany Ruhland
Naperville Junior Exchange Club - Ryan Maher
Naperville Park District - Sheridan Carroll
Naperville Public Library - Leslie Nemo
NCO Youth and Family Services - Kristin Doherty
NCO Youth and Family Services - Matt Feldmeier
Neuqua Valley High School Interact Club - Samarth Chopra
Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Riding Facility - Mariah Afshari
