President’s Volunteer Service Award

On Wednesday, March 20^th, twenty-three Coming of Age volunteers were recognized for their outstanding service to this community.  These volunteers were awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now, more than ever, volunteers in Travis County through Coming of Age are renewing their commitment to help others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, and as communities.

Established in 2003 under President George W. Bush, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation recognizes the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires other to make service a central part of their lives.

Continued today by President Barack Obama, the President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States who have achieved over 4,000 hours or more of volunteer service over the course of a lifetime.

 The following volunteers were honored …

• Geraldine Almquist has volunteered with Coming of Age for over 20 years. She volunteers at St. David’s hospital where she raises funds through their Auxiliary. To date, Geraldine has reported 7,644 volunteer hours to us.
• Sandra Baylor has reported serving 5,652 volunteer hours with the Seton Auxiliary Board of Directors. She has been part of our team for 16 years.
• Lee Bernfeld, affectionately known as Mama B, donates her time to many different agencies. In the 7 years she has been with Coming of Age, she has reported 4,454 volunteer hours assisting at the Capital Area Food Bank, Marbridge Farms, the Blood & Tissue Center, Safeplace, the South Austin Senior Activity Center, and by doing caregiving services for neighbors.
• Edward Burke volunteers his time in admissions for Seton Northwest. As a volunteer with Coming of Age for 14 years, he has donated 4,079 hours of his time.
• Helen Campbell joined our program 6 years ago. To date, she has given 6,541 hours with South Austin Hospital and is part of our Capacity Building Fundraising program.
• Graham Duncan gives his time to Hospice Austin, Learning Ally, and serves on the Advisory Council for Coming of Age Austin Metro. In his 8 years with our program, he has donated 4,790 hours of his time.
• Hal Ferguson joined the Coming of Age program 6 years ago. He volunteers at the South Austin Hospital gift shop and serves as one of the lead volunteers. He, along with his wife Karen Ferguson, are responsible for all of the aspects of managing the shop and the volunteers who serve there. To date, Hal has reported 7,566 service hours.
• Karen Ferguson has been a member of Coming of Age for 6 years.  She volunteers at the South Austin Hospital gift shop.  She, along with her husband Hal, is a lead volunteer as well as assists in managing the gift shop and its volunteers.  At this time, she has reported 6,572 volunteer hours.
• Ruth Goebler joined Coming of Age 10 years ago.  As a treasured volunteer, she has reported 13,500 hours of volunteer hours.  She is a valued volunteer at the Seton Medical Center gift shop.
• Del Goss is the youngest of our honorees. At 61 years old, he has reported 7,211 volunteer hours to Coming of Age in only a four year period of time. Del volunteers his time to many organizations including Austin Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, Emancipet, Florence’s Comfort House, the Austin Animal Center, and the Montopolis Neighborhood Association.
• Sheila Hancock volunteers at Seton Southwest.  Her efforts raise funds for needed programs.  In her 5 years as a Coming of Age member, she has reported 4,925 volunteer hours.
• Betty Hendrix has been a part of the Coming of Age team for 19 years. As an admired volunteer at the American Red Cross, she has reported 11,169 hours of volunteer hours.
• Dottie King has donated 13,406 hours as a volunteer manager for Seton hospital, the most time donated out of all our honorees today. She has been a cherished member of our team for 28 years.
• Eleanor Langsdorf donates her time to Faith in Action Caregivers North Central and Foundation Communities. During the 7 years she has been a member of Coming of Age, she has reported a total of 5,869 volunteer hours to us.
• Judith Lindfors has been a Coming of Age member for over 12 years.  She has donated her time to several organizations. She is currently assisting at Mike’s Place, a Meals on Wheels and More program that provides respite care for individuals with Alzheimers. To date, Judith has served 5,472 hours.
• Martha Loer has been assisting at iAct, the Blood & Tissue Center, Faith in Action Caregivers South, Faith Food Pantry, and Faith Presbyterian Church. In the 19 years she has been with Coming of Age, she has volunteered 9,155 hours of her time.
• Ora McDonald has given 5,302 hours to the East Rural Community Center and Foundation Communities. She has been a member of Coming of Age for 8 years.
• Karin McDowell donates her time with Faith in Action Caregivers South Austin and Meals on Wheels and More. As a member for 18 years with Coming of Age, she has reported 7,439 hours of her time.
• Jeanne Pritchett has been part of the Coming of Age team for 8 years. She volunteers her time on the auxiliary board for the North Austin Medical Center and has reported 4,969 volunteer hours.
• Christa Rabago has been a member of Coming of Age for 17 years. She volunteers with the Seton Hospital gift shop which raises money to support programs designated by the auxiliary. To date, Christa has reported 8,305 volunteer hours.
• Rogerio Rabago volunteers with the Seton Hospital gift shop. He volunteers along with his wife Christa at the Seton Hospital gift shop. For 17 years he has been a member of Coming of Age.  He had donated 6,424 volunteer hours.

We would like to thank all our President Volunteer Service Award recipients for all their service to others.  Their service inspires others to take positive action to make Travis County a better place to live! And of course, we thank them for Making a Difference!