Get Involved: Volunteer
2010 Volunteer Awards
Outstanding Volunteer Outreach Organization - The Centennial High School Horizon Club. The Horizon Club is a service club which began in 2009 fueled by the desire of 3 students, Raymond Kim, Andy Sylvia and Brian Hashimoto to make a difference in our community through organizing various service opportunities for students at Centennial High School while having fun. In just one year the club is the largest one at Centennial High School attracting students across all areas of interest.
Although the Horizon Club supports many different volunteer activities, The Arc of Howard County and The Horizon Club have entered into a formal partnership cementing the relationship we have and making the mission of The Arc a priority of the club. The vision of the partnership is that “students develop empathy for and a broader understanding of diverse individuals with special needs.”
Last fall the students organized, planned, funded and implemented a dance at the Kiwanis Wallace Club for club members and those we support. There were well over 125 people in attendance including at least 50 club members. Students and individuals fully interacted, and everyone had a wonderful time. In February, 2010, the students also participated in our Bowling for a Change event and raised $500 for The Arc. It is clear that through those interactions barriers were removed and our mission of full community life was furthered.
Outstanding Student Volunteer - Christina Topper is a rising Sophomore at Mt. de Sales Academy in Catonsville and began volunteering here at The Arc in September, 2008. She was drawn to our agency through her interaction with her young cousin, Logan who has Downs Syndrome. In addition, Christina has spent many hours assisting a family in her neighborhood whose child has a rare and debilitating illness by spending time with him and his brother. Christina has been volunteering at our Respite House helping to care for children we serve while their parents take much needed breaks. Her enthusiasm and willingness to jump in to help make her a favorite volunteer of both individuals receiving services and staff. It’s evident that she has a big heart, a special gift for communication and an ability to engage with children and adults from all walks of life.
Outstanding Community Volunteer - Vidia Dhanraj has been actively involved with The Arc for 4 years, and first became involved as a volunteer in our Day Program. Subsequently, she joined our Board of Directors in 2007, and is a member of our Resource Development Committee, 50th Anniversary Committee and The Task Force Committee which she aptly chaired. At every meeting she attends, The Arc benefits by her broad background in Human Services, non-profits and outreach, and her keen insight, and passion for helping others. Vidia regularly supports Arc activities and fundraisers including racing for The Arc on Team Embrace this spring. She is connected to The Arc as well as the community at large. Vidia is the outreach coordinator for the Mulitservice Center in Laurel Maryland which provides one-stop human services to residents of North Laurel and Savage. She also serves on the Board at the Association of Community Services in Howard County.
Outstanding Event Volunteer - Chip McAuliffe’s connection to The Arc began 12 years ago when he agreed to handle the entertainment for The Chocolate Ball. The next year he agreed to Chair the Chocolate Ball Logistics committee, and he continues to serve in that role to this day. His consistent and dedicated leadership is a primary ingredient in making The Chocolate Ball, our largest fundraiser, a huge success financially as well as a great party for our guests year after year. Chip consistently volunteers at every Arc event helping wherever necessary to make them successful; no job is too small or too big; Chip handles them all with his quiet confidence and competence. In addition, Chip has served on The Arc’s Board of Directors since 2003 and served on the Task Force committee. He lends an analytical approach to the meetings and always provides valuable input. Chip’s dedication to The Arc and those we serve is truly outstanding.
Outstanding Individual Volunteer award - Amanda Bill. Amanda came to The Arc in September, 2009 when she read about our Friendship Group program and decided that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of those we support; and she hit the ground running! Amanda is a busy young woman, traveling and working full time as a trade show specialist and recently marrying. Yet she has made the time to get involved. As a participant in The Friendship Group, she is an energetic friend to Ryan Swanson; going out into the community and having fun. In addition, she has supported fundraisers; attending Steins and Wines, putting together a family bowling team, and helping with set up and attending The Chocolate Ball. In Amanda’s words, “I look forward to being a part of The Arc forever. And we welcome Amanda with open arms.
Outstanding Partnership Award - Robert Vigorito, President of the Columbia Triathlon Association. Robert, Howard County’s 6 time Ironman, has been involved with The Arc of Howard County since 2003 when he began serving on The Board of Directors. Vig is also the chair of the Resource Development Committee.
The Arc has no bigger supporter than Vigo and The CTA. Each year The Arc is the grateful recipient of generous financial support as well as advocacy support in the community. Vigo is always the first to offer major sponsorship of each and every event and he and his wife Sharon are members of The Silver Arc Legacy. He conceived of Team Embrace, which offers guaranteed spots in CTA triathlon races for athletes who raise money for The Arc. Vigo received the Jim Greenfield Compassionate Leadership Award last year in which he was honored for his commitment not only to The Arc, but to the rest of our community as well. Vig makes everyone he meets feel special and included. His love for individuals we support is evident as he always has a hug and a kind word. Vig is truly larger than life, and he exudes passion in all that he does.
If we are to forward our mission of full community life for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it is imperative that we receive support from community partners like Robert and the CTA. Without his philanthropy we would be unable to provide the level of services which allow individuals we support to thrive.
2010 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year - Susan LeBeouf. Susan came to The Arc as a Ignation Volunteer Corp volunteer in 2006, and she is so committed that she has a permanent desk here. In fact, she is here so often that many think she is staff. Driven by a strong commitment to social justice, personal family ties to an individual with intellectual disabilities and unequaled compassion, Susan entered the doors of our agency innately suited to working with the individuals we serve.
Susan exemplifies volunteerism at its highest level. Her dedication to The Arc of Howard County and the other causes she takes on is immense. She participates in almost every area of The Arc. She works one-on-one with individuals in our day program, providing valuable interactive experiences and enrichment. She produced a power point presentation highlighting those individuals which is useful to new volunteers and staff as they get to know those they will be serving. Susan is a member of our “Friendship Group” providing her buddy the opportunity for full community life and friendship. Each Wednesday morning, Susan mentors approximately 15 individuals enrolled in our Employment Program, providing timely educational and craft experiences, and inspiring staff to develop similar programming. In addition, Susan provides our agency with clerical assistance and serves on our incident review committee. And on top of it all, Susan routinely supports just about all of our fundraising events. In short, Susan is always there to help.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Jim Greenfield. Jim has been a guiding force in The Arc for more than 30 years, and originally became involved when his son, Mark began receiving services. He has done everything from rolling coin donations to building group homes. Jim continues to spearhead fundraising efforts even after Mark’s untimely passing. Last year, once again, Jim provided his time, talent, resources and leadership as he partnered with The Arc in the “green” rebuilding one of our residences, Torrent Row. The home was the first Platinum LEED Certified home in the state of Maryland.
Jim Greenfield was the inspiration for and the first recipient of the Jim Greenfield Compassionate Leadership Award which honors members of our community who have shown extraordinary efforts in helping those who are in need and have inspired others to do the same.
Indeed, Jim’s enormous generosity of time and treasure inspires us all. He shares The Arc’s vision of full community life for those with disabilities and has worked for decades to help make sure that all citizens in our county are able to achieve full community life.