Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 July 2000 — Page 71

The Indianapolis Recorder July 14,2000 39 United Way to honor minority volunteers

By Cecelia Johnson Chair, 2000 Minority Recognition Breakfast Laughter fills the air. As you walk through the halls of a local community center, you see smiles on the faces of children as they laugh, talk and play. In the back of one classroom you see men and women helping children read. As you leave the classroom, you enter the computer lab, where children are being introduced to new technology. Finally, as you prepare to leave the community center you find college students taking time to jump rope with children, as their big brothers and big sisters. The smiles on the children’s faces are a direct result of volunteers who give their time and energy so that more young people have a chance to succeed. Who are the volunteers? Recent national studies show that an estimated 109 million adults aged 18 and over volunteered in 1998, up from 93 million in 1995 and 80 million in 1987. In the minority community it is reported that 46 percent of Hispanics volunteered in 1998, a 6 percent increase since 1995 and 47 percent of African Americans volunteered in 1998, a 12 percent increase since 1995. Eighty-six percent of volunteers said that they volunteered because

they felt compassion for others. United Way of Central Indiana recognizes that minorities play an important role as volunteers in the success of our community. On Saturday, July 15, at 8 a.m., United Way of Central Indiana will host the 2000 Minority Volunteer Recognition Breakfast during Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration at the Indiana Convention Center, to recognize exceptionally dedicated volunteers who have given their heart and soul to youth groups, community agencies, neighborhood associations, schools, churches, hospitals, Greek organizations, etc. For the last 17 years, the United Way Minority Volunteer Recognition Breakfast has served as a springboard that encourages and promotes volunteerism, while presenting 158 awards to community leaders throughout Central Indiana. Last year’s outstanding honorees are typical of the contributions made to our community by minority volunteers. Seventeen-year-old Jenee Elliot was honored for contributing more than 210 hours to teens in crisis through TeenLink; Danielle Walker was recognized for her role in helping Big Sisters of Central Indiana increase matches from 426 to 550; and Booker Bassett, a

volunteer at Westview Hospital since 1990, was recognized for his helpfulness for the hundreds of wheelchair-bound patients he has assisted. Also, recognized were: Dorothy Davis for her volunteer work at the Indianapolis Urban League where she has worked for 14 years to increase membership and raise funds; Linda Dunn and Christopher Gunn for their success with the Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis; and Charles Spaulding for his contribution as a Big Brother who spent 156 hours with his Little Brother in one year. In the Outstanding Board Service category, Phyllis Hayes was honored for her leadership and organizational skills that raised $25,500 for Happy Hollow Children’s Camp Inc. charity auction. The Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr. Joseph Taylor. Nominated by Noble of Indiana, Dr. Taylor’s award noted his service at Noble since 1957 to inspire, embrace and assist individuals with disabilities. This year’s keynote speaker will be William Raspberry. Raspberry is a Pulitzer Prize winner and nationally syndicated columnist with the Washington Post and Indianapolis Star. Editor's note: This article appeared in the June 2 issue of The Recorder.

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