Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
On Thursday, the top nonprofit organizations from throughout Bucks County gathered to honor their volunteers at the 2nd Annual Volunteer of the Year banquet held at Warrington Country Club. The event is held in conjunction with National Volunteer week, established in 1974 establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteerism.
After a welcome by Zane Moore, President/CEO at Central Bucks Family YMCA and invocation by Jamie Haddon, President/CEO of United Way of Bucks County, the evening was emceed by Chris Serpico, the chief volunteer officer at the Y.
Toni Schmidt introduced Debra Manges, a long-time big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. In her address, Schmidt spoke of the impact that Manges has made in the life of one young lady during her four years volunteering with the organization.
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Melissa Mantz introduced the Bucks County Housing Group volunteer of the year, Christa Nielsen, who created Operation Birthday Box and provides birthday presents for children living in Bucks County’s housing shelters. “My dream is that one day Operation Birthday Box will be its own 501c3 and we can spread the program nationally,” said Nielsen.
Mark Barr was the 2014 volunteer of the year for the Bucks County Opportunity Council and was introduced by Eileen Albillar from that organization. Barr volunteers with their Bucks$Back program, a community-based Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program providing free tax return preparation for people who can’t afford it. Albillar commented that “Barr enjoys volunteering so much that he wishes tax season was longer” to the laughter of the crowd.
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Karen Langley of Doylestown Hospital honored Lloyd and Midge Vansant, husband and wife volunteers who together have volunteered over 15,000 hours to the hospital. Midge Vansant spoke to the group about the connection between successful retirement and volunteering.
Diane Allison was introduced by Sandra Yerger of Heritage Conservancy for her work with the birds in the county.
Gray Wirth of Impact Thrift Stores honored their volunteer of the year, Warren Johnson of their Montgomeryville store and spoke of the day newly retired Johnson entered their store and asked if they needed help. “Thank goodness, the staff member said ‘yes’,” said Wirth.
Chris Brockett, president of Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center, introduced Sue Murga, a self-proclaimed lover of horses who spoke of the little moments when she realizes that the horse and she are making a difference in a child’s development. “It sends chills up my spine when I think of it,” said Murga.
Bill Hoblin, Julie Dugery and Karen Corbett of the NOVA organization honored Bette Coatsworth and Lynn Bendann, volunteers from their counseling and gift shop departments.
Janet Mintzer introduced their volunteer of the year, Cindy Louden, as a women who does it all at Pearl S. Buck International. An adoptive mother herself, Louden spoke of her passion for the work of Pearl S. Buck who sought to create a global community through adoption, child sponsorship and community programs.
Jamie Haddon, the president and CEO of United Way of Bucks County honored husband and wife David and Annie Hall for their outstanding service to the organization. “I’m really happy to make a difference in the community and to help our children understand their responsibility to it,” said David Hall in his comments to the audience.
The last presentation of the evening was made by Lou White, last year’s recipient of Central Bucks Family YMCA’s Burpee Award. This year’s recipient was W. Andrew Happ who is integral on the committees for past and future expansions at the Y and on their standing building and grounds committee. “It’s unbelievable to be listed with some of the names that are on this plaque,” said Happ of the inscriptions on the Burpee Award plaque he was presented with at the evening event.
