2011 Jefferson Award Winners
Click here for the 2012 Jefferson Award Nomination Form
From left, Quan Cory, Donald Smith, Dr. Shama Amin, David Smith, Keiko Hahn, Krista Fetzer accepting for Sherry Fetzer, Mandy with Ray Ward, and Jerome O'Neal. |
Sherry Fetzer was selected as the local winner to attend the Jefferson Awards
celebration in Washington DC.
Dr. Shama Amin |
Dr. Shama Amin
Dr. Shama Amin is a long-time practicing pediatric endocrinologist in Lima and Allen County. In this vocation, she treats diabetic children and was moved more than a decade ago to become quietly, but strategically, active in our community in order to PREVENT diabetes and obesity. Beginning in 1999, Dr. Amin initiated dialogues with dietitians in our local schools resulting in significant improvements in school breakfast and luncheon offerings. Further, she was able to secure the cooperation of the schools in reducing or removing soft drinks from vending machines.
Beyond this very effective local community outreach work, Dr. Amin has been engaging Ohio's legislators and school officials, attempting to bring about a seismic shift in diet and nutrition planning in all of Ohio's schools. This advocacy remains a work in progress.
Three years ago, Dr. Amin began to work with other local partners to directly engage children in their lifestyle and nutrition choices. Thus was born the Give Me 5 Nutrition program. First grade classes and a number of kindergarten classes have participated in the Give Me 5 Nutrition program.
In addition, Dr. Amin is also involved in the Lima Sister Cities Association, ArtSpace Lima, and the American Red Cross.
Quan Cory
Quan Cory |
- Quan was nominated for her involvement with SAFY – Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth. She has been a foster parent for 14 years and is on SAFY's board, volunteering as a family and staff advocate. Quan's experience as a foster parent makes her a loud and powerful voice for foster youth. Her presence on SAFY's boards has strengthened the way the organization sees foster care and has contributed to its ability to see the world through a foster child's eyes. Ultimately, through her volunteer work she has healed countless youth and repaired many families.
In the summer, Quan volunteers her time at two youth camps in southern Ohio. At one campus she serves as a volunteer mentor for a group of seventh grade girls; and at the other camp, she is the Head Cook.
There are many people who give many hours serving others. Quan's service is special because she speaks and works for children who often do not have a voice.
Sherry Fetzer
Sherry Fetzer |
Sherry Fetzer was nominated for a Jefferson Award for her volunteerism, founding and directorship of "Up To The Challenge". In its eighth year, the local organization helps create a social environment for over 200 disadvantaged youths and adults in Allen, Van Wert and Putnam counties, many who do not qualify for the Special Olympics. Sherry brought awareness to the community through her leadership of the needs of the disadvantaged to enable them to fit in socially and be happy. Her efforts rallied support of the community made everyone more aware of those most often overlooked.
"Up To The Challenge" is a non-profit organization created by Sherry eight years ago when she was raising her autistic daughter. At that time little or no research was done on autism and autistic children were not accommodated in the local schools. Autistic children were bussed to a special school 40 miles away. "Up To The Challenge" continues to meet the needs of disabled children and adults in a three county area. The program involves softball in July, swimming in August, a dance in September and bowling once a month. All of the programs and activities are accomplished through volunteers. The organization receives no state or federal funding, only local funding.
Keiko Hahn
Keiko Hahn |
Keiko Hahn has been a community activist for 60 years. She was on the original research committee that began the search for a sister city. She has served as chairperson for the Japanese Committee for over ten years. She has translated for the mayor and city officials for both written and verbal speeches for Harima-cho Japan. She organizes the home stay exchanges, hosts and activities for the exchange guests coming to Lima and going to Harimo-cho.
Keiko helps with the cultural and art displays for the Allen County Museum, Lima Public Library, ArtSpace and other special projects for the community which provide beauty and cultural enrichment for the people of Lima.
Jerome O'Neal
Jerome O'Neal |
– Jerome was nominated for his volunteerism in the Lima/Allen County community spanning over 25 years. In 1992 he accepted a seat on the board of United Way of Greater Lima and he was able to see first hand the need in the community. In 1996 Jerome served as United Way campaign chair and led United Way volunteers to raise over $2 million to help the Lima community.
Jerome created the Community Enrichment Dinner which is now in its 6th year. The Community Enrichment Dinners have contributed close to $70,000 to the Lima community. He was instrumental in creating and opening the Allen County Health Partners. This agency offers affordable medical services to low income residents in the Lima area and continues to grow, adding additional medical services.
Jerome O'Neal has shown a strong background in volunteerism by serving on many boards throughout the community along with developing services and programs for less fortunate in the area.
David smith |
David Smith
David, a retired educator, joined forces with the Ohio State Extension Program, "Real Money, Real World" five years ago, to provide area middle and high school students with a hands-on simulated experience to prepare them for adult real-life budgetary obligations. He saw this as a great need for the students which was not being provided in depth in school settings.
David has served on the Allen County Fair Board for 20 years. Besides his board obligations, he spends 9 eighteen hour days of volunteer work each year at the fair. David is a Shawnee Maplewood 3
rd grade tutor and his other volunteer efforts includes the Elida Optimists, Allen County Historical Society, and the Immanuel United Methodist
Donald Smith
Donald Smith |
Don Smith has been a champion for children living with type 1 diabetes for the past 8 years. He became part of the extended family Diabetes Youth Services (DYS) through his dedication and fundraising efforts. David saw a brochure on DYS camps. After visiting the camp he became moved by the challenges children face living with diabetes and the strength they exhibit.
David was so impressed with the children and the camp that he raises funds each year to fund the summer education camps for children ranging in age from 6-15 years old. Thanks to David's support DYS is able to provide scholarship assistance to families with financial need as well as underwrite much of the cost of the camp.
Starting in 2004, Don decided to gather pledges to swim laps each year on his birthday in February and donate the money to DYS. Eight years and over 2,000 laps later, Don has become the greatest individual supporter in DYS history! He surpassed $12,000 for this year's swim. Don has raised over $60,000 for the DYS program in the past 8 years.
Ray Ward and Paula Thompson -
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Ray Ward had been bringing his dog, Mandy to Lima Memorial's Cancer Institute for several years when it was decided the hospital would benefit from a greater pool of therapy dogs. In 2003 The Pet Therapy Program was founded by Ray Ward and Mandy. It wasn't long until Ray teamed with Paula Thompson and Oliver, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Soon after that the program had four volunteers and their canine friends.
Each volunteer and dog goes through a lengthy process in order to become certified and eligible to join the Pet Therapy Program. Each dog must first have puppy training, and obedience training to become a canine good citizen. This includes daily training and reinforcement of skills learned. They then must complete the home study training course provided by the Delta Society. Each dog goes through a 22 phase evaluation. Dogs and handlers are evaluated to determine how they will act in a variety of unusual situations. Each dog and handler works hard to maintain their skills and must be recertified every two years. The fact that the dogs and handlers are allowed into all critical care areas of the hospital is a testament to Ray and Paula's efforts.
The impact that Ray and Paula have made has been incredible. Ray and Paula routinely see about 40 patients each day. They visit developmentally challenged children at the Children's Developmental Center, as well as several floors and critical care units of the main hospital. The patients are excited to see the dogs and they often talk to the dogs and share their thoughts, feelings and memories with them. The dogs bring a welcome distraction from the pain, loneliness or infirmary they are dealing with in the hospital. The dogs are so well trained that they sense when they need to be happy and exuberant, or calm and submissive. The visits often bring the patient a greater sense of well being that they wouldn't have received with traditional treatment methods.
Two other Pet Therapy dogs, Bear and Lily are reading dogs for the Lima City Schools. They help the children improve their reading skills by being an active, non-judgmental listener who is eager to be petted and provide unconditional love. Mrs. Lyons, a kindergarten teacher states, "The payoff with time spent with Bear is huge. The students are making progress, not only in school work, but in their self worth. They feel special, and that goes a long way in learning."
Comments from Ray Ward, "In 2003 The Pet Therapy Program was founded by Ray Ward and his dog Mandy at Lima Memorial Hospital. After they had been at the hospital for about 3 years the hospital asked them to go to their Memorial Park Cancer Center. When Ray and Mandy started at the hospital they only visited two floors of the hospital but it wasn’t long and they were going to seven floors of the hospital including the surgical waiting area, pediatrics, the heart step-down unit, rehab floor, ICU and ER. Soon Ray wanted to add more Pet Partner teams to the program so to do that he needed to become a License Team Evaluator for Delta Society. In June 2008 another team was added to the program and then in September of that same year two dogs for the rehab floor only were added. By February of 2009 two more Pet Partner teams were visiting the hospital. If you know of anyone that has shown an interest in becoming a Pet Partner please contact the Volunteer office."