The Volunteer Center of Erie  County                                                                                                           Lavender Award

2005            2006            2007

2005 Lavender Award for Excellence Winner Announced

Helpmates Auxiliary of the Volunteers of America was announced as the recipient of the 2005 Lavender Award for Excellence during National Volunteer Week in April. This award is given annually to a program, organization or agency in Erie County that has shown exemplary use of volunteers to meet the social needs of the community. A legacy to the devotion to volunteerism of Mary Ann Lavender, founder of the Volunteer Center, this award acknowledges the importance of volunteer programs within agencies that serve those in need. As the winner of the 2005 Lavender Award for Excellence, Helpmates will receive a donation of $2,000 from the Volunteer Center Endowment Program and a special framed award.

Since 1975, Helpmates has used volunteers for an ongoing year-round program to remember with warmth and service all confined persons and children in Sandusky and throughout Erie County, regardless of race, color, creed or financial status, especially at Christmas. Volunteers crochet items such as lap robes, slippers, hats & mittens, baby blankets and leg warmers. They sew adult bibs, tote bags for walkers & wheelchairs, and make over 2,000 bookmarks. They purchase sweatshirts, socks, puzzle books, gloves, pens, playing cards and Kleenex. During 2004, 100 Helpmates volunteers distributed 19,728 items (over 10,000 of those handmade) to 1,767 people. Clients include nursing home residents, Sandusky City School children, Meals on Wheels clients, residents of the Ohio Veterans Home and inmates in jail and at the detention home. Sometimes the gift given by Helpmates is the only gift a person receives. The group was founded by late Alice Chaffin. Gayle Tremmel is the current president.

The fourteen area agency programs nominated for the 2005 Lavender Award for Excellence are:  South Shore Golf Classic of the American Lung Association; Health & Safety Volunteer Instructors program of the American Red Cross-Firelands Chapter; Traditional Matching Program of Big Brothers Big Sisters; Care & Share of Erie County; Adult Advocacy Services of Catholic Charities; Fishing Has No Boundaries; Friends of Erie MetroParks; Helpmates Auxiliary of Volunteers of America; Life Renewal Program at Home of Hope, Inc.; Kelley's Island Benefit Swim for Make-A-Wish Foundation; Supervised Parenting Center of Kinship, Inc.; Safe Harbour Volunteer Program at the Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc.; Direct Care Volunteers of Stein Hospice; and the Year Round Free Hot Meals Program of Victory Kitchen. In total, these fourteen programs utilized over 693 volunteers, who worked over 31,407 hours serving over 23,995 clients. 

2006 Lavender Award for Excellence Winner Announced

 
In business for over 58 years, Grace Thrift Shop sells consignment and donated clothing as well as small household items at low prices. The shop is totally run by volunteers, some having serviced for forty years, others are second and third generation volunteers. The shop fulfills the need for good quality, inexpensive clothing and other items for families who do not qualify for give away programs and other who are economically minded. Items donated to other non-profits include in-line skates to the Boys and Girls Club, yarn and fabric to Helpmates, puzzles to the Senior Center and wigs to Cancer Services. Local charities can send their clients to the shop for donations of clothing. This program gives great satisfaction to the workers, rewards to the Church an community and besides all that it's a fun place to volunteer!

The other eight nominees include: Disaster Services- American Red Cross, Friends of Erie MetroParks, Ladies Craft Group- Volunteer Services, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Safe Harbour Volunteer Program- Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter, Stein Hospice Direct Care Volunteers- Stein Hospice, Supervised Parent Visitation Center, KinShip Inc., Victory Kitchen Year Round Hot Meal Program, and Volunteers of America Crossroads. Together the nine agencies utilized 649 volunteers who worked for over 57,600 hours impacting over

31, 000 individual.

2007 Lavender Award for Excellence Winner Announced

During the annual Lavender Award Breakfast, held April 25, 2007, the Erie County Victim Assistance Program was announced as the recipient of the 2007 Lavender Award for Excellence. As the winner of the award, the program received a donation of $2,000 from the Volunteer Center Endowment Program and a special award certificate.

 The Erie County Victim Assistance Program via a part time advocate, was established in 1991 to assist victims of violent felony crimes. In 1995, in response to the changes in the victim’s rights laws, a full-time advocate was hired to provide services to all victims of felony crime. In 1997, the Program expanded again and initiated services to all victims of misdemeanor crime, victims of sexual assault and female victims of domestic violence. Currently, four staff and thirteen volunteers provide services to victims. The Victim Assistance Program assists victims of crime as they navigate the criminal justice system. Additionally, they provide 24 hour services to victims of sexual assault and their families. They also promote community awareness regarding the effects of victimization and the prevention of victimization.

The volunteers commit to attending various training programs and being professional when working with the victim(s), law enforcement and medical communities. Evaluations from the clients and from community agencies have been favorable and supportive of the services provided by the staff and the volunteers. 

The other area agency programs nominated for the 2007 Lavender Award for Excellence were:  American Red Cross, Follies 2006- Sandusky Night Live, Merry go Round Museum and Firelands Red Cross, Safe Harbour Volunteer Program Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter and Women Build, Firelands Habitat for Humanity.

As a group, the 2007 Lavender Award nominees utilized 1,379 volunteers who worked over 44,486 donated hours impacting well over 28,700 individuals.

2008 Lavender Award for Excellence Winner Announced

On April 23rd, 2008 at the annual Lavender Breakfast, Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter was selected as the 2008 Lavender Award for  Excellence. As the winner of the award, the program received a donation of $2,000 from the Volunteer Center Endowment Program and a special award certificate.

Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter volunteers work with the Shelter’s clients providing safe social activities and emotional support. They provide community education about domestic violence, date rape, and available client services while educating the public about all the services Safe Harbour provides. Hardly an event goes by without someone stopping by the booth to thank Safe Harbour for being there when they needed them.

The other area programs nominated for the 2008 Lavender Award for Excellence were: Beta Sigma Phi Sororities of Castalia, Traditional Matching Program, Big Brothers, Big Sisters , Care and Share Inc. of Erie County, Firelands Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Pipe Creek Watershed, Humane Society of Erie County, The Melody Makers Senior Choir, Serving Those who Served, the Ohio Veterans Home, Volunteers of America, Earning and Learning.

As a group, these 10 agencies utilized 1439 volunteers who worked over 60,935  hours impacting well over 41,855 individuals.