Nominees for the 2011 Johana Knox Award for Community Service Excellence

Click here for more information about the 2011 Johana Knox Award event on Thursday, May 19 at DeBary Golf and Country Club

This year, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Foundation will recognize ten volunteers who have given of their time, talent and treasure for causes that are close to their heart. The third annual Johana Knox Award for Community Service Excellence celebration will be held  at a dinner  6-8 pm, Thursday, May 19 at DeBary Golf and Country Club.  Tickets are $45 per person, and reservations for the May 19 event may be made by calling 386-917-7197, or by emailing camille.murawski@fhfm.org

The Johana Knox Award for Community Service Excellence – named for West Volusia’s best-known volunteer – recognizes outstanding persons for their volunteer and philanthropy efforts. Whether donating their time to sit and pray with elderly residents at a nursing home; or building houses for low-income residents; or by making special Teddy bears to help grieving families cope with the loss of a loved one, these volunteers saw a need, and gladly stepped in to fill it.

The Nominees for the  2011 Johana Knox Award for Community Service Excellence
(special thanks to Kimberly Cline for photography services http://www.kimberlycline.com/)

Eunice Cox of DeLeon Springs – A lifelong Florida resident, Eunice Cox finds her greatest joy by giving service to  others. She accomplishes this by volunteering at a local thrift store, and by sharing Bible truths  with people anywhere. Eunice also regularly brings the Word to residents of Oakwood Garden of DeLand,  a local nursing home. She pays room visits to people, where she reads to them and sings hymns.  According to her nomination form, “Eunice lets them know they are wanted, needed and loved.” (Nominated by Lisa Seal, Activity Director – Oakwood Garden of DeLand)

Harris Custer of DeBary-   Harris Custer  has spent a lifetime helping others. Since 1990, Harris -who is retired from the Bureau of Blind Services in Daytona Beach -  has helped build 31 homes through the Southwest Volusia Habitat for Humanity Affiliate. He has held positions on different committees and sub-committees at the organization, and is currently serving as its warehouse manager.  According to his nomination form, Harris “has lived his life following Jesus’ instruction to love and serve others.” (Nominated by Gloria Micelli, Board member, Southwest Volusia Habitat for Humanity)

Brenda Gormley of Ormond Beach– Most of us can remember our special Teddy bear and the solace it gave us when we were a child. After suffering the loss of her husband and son, Brenda Gormley turned once again to the familiar comfort item. This time, however, she uses her talents to make free Teddy bears for the grieving families of Haven Hospice, a local hospice organization. Through her “Memory Bears, ” Brenda “provides families with a means to keep alive the cherished memories of their deceased loved one,” according to her nomination form. (Nominated by Mary Kathryn Maine, Volunteer Coordinator for Haven Hospice)

Adrianne Ferrer of Deltona– Through battling multiple brain tumors and taking care of a special-needs child, Adrianne Ferrer would seem to have enough on her plate. But Adrianne has so much more that she needs to do! She started a small prayer group at Oakwood Garden of DeLand,  a local nursing home, that soon took over the entire activity room, and also recruits other people – including children – to help her lead activities with the residents. According to her nomination form, “She has brought many caring and loving people into the lives of our residents.” (Nominated by Lisa Seal, Activity Director – Oakwood Garden of DeLand)

Paul  Jones of DeLand– Retired from a military career, Paul Jones is not content to rest on his laurels. Paul works overtime at First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, where he serves on the property committee, and also prepares meals in the church kitchen on a regular basis, and also at The House Next Door. He also volunteers in public schools, is an active Rotary member, builds homes for Habitat for Humanity, and spends summers on medical and Habitat mission trips to Central and South America. According to his nomination form, “Paul is an inspiration to all.” (Nominated by Reggie Santilli, Development Director, The House Next Door)

José Lopez of Deltona–It seems that the people in our society who need a hug are the ones who receive them the least. According to his nomination form , José Lopez knows this, and gives out great hugs to the nursing home residents at Oakwood Garden  of DeLand  that he’s visited for the past five years. In addition to bringing joy to the Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, José is also able to communicate with both English- and Spanish-speaking residents. According to his nomination form, “We need more people in the community like José!” (Nominated by Lisa Seal, Activity Director – Oakwood Garden of DeLand)

Kelly Moore of DeLand- Kelly Moore jumped in to help launch  the West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce this year, after  bringing organizational structure and laying the groundwork between the board, committee chairs and its members. “Kelly has demonstrated true leadership and has been a driving force in establishing the Chamber,” according to her nomination form. “One person can make a difference, and Kelly has, by her actions, encouragement, and commitment.” (Nominated by Paris Pena, Executive Director,  West Volusia Regional Chamber Of Commerce)

Zamfira Pauna of Sanford– Romania is still recovering from the effects of Nikolai Ceauşecu’s reign of terror.  One of the ways that Zamfira Pauna is helping the area recover is through a not-for-profit organization that she founded, “Heart of Romania’s Children Foundation.” Zamfira’s charity has helped open at least two orphanages in Romania.  Zamfira also volunteers at a local assisted-living facility, where she donates new clothes to the lower-income residents, and also brings fruit and other healthy snacks to share. According to her nomination form, “Zamfira may not meet all that she has helped personally, but they are experiencing the gift of care and selflessness.” (Nominated by David J. Parsons, MD)

Robert  Storke of Orange City – Called “one of the shining lights in Orange City” in his nomination form, Robert “Bob” Storke has served the city in many capacities. For the past ten years , Bob has been a regular attendee at city council meetings, has served on the 2008 Charter Review Committee, and currently serves on the Volusia Growth Management Commission and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Citizens Advisory Committee of the TPO.  Bob also volunteers at the city’s annual Halloween Block Party and attends meetings of Orange City’s Alternative Water Source Committee. Bob is not someone who seeks attention for his service, say those who know him, and is known as a “soft-spoken and humble servant.” (Nominated by Jamie Croteau, City Manager, City of Orange City)

Linda Taylor – While working full-time for the Volusia County school system, Linda Taylor somehow found time to help mentor hundreds of young girls in the community through her service as a Girl Scout Leader. Not only has she led Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadet troops, but, according to her nomination form, has “allowed many children who might not have otherwise left the state, to travel to Savannah, Georgia, to visit the home of Juliet Lowe, founder of Girl Scouts.”  Linda also volunteers on the Florida Trails, cutting trees, trimming brush and clearing pathways for other nature-lovers. (Nominated by Mary Mulá, Member Experience Manager, West Volusia Association of Realtors)