Volunteer of the Month

by Mel Rubenstein

With this being the 90th edition of the Volunteer of the Month column in the Eagle Bulletin, I am most pleased to feature Diana Wellmon who represents the selfless dedication of all the volunteers before her.

In 2017 I attended my first World InterFaith Harmony Assembly with members of my congregation. It was the 7th Annual Harmony Assembly and held at the University United Methodist Church in Syracuse. Interfaith Works of CNY, Women Transcending Boundaries, and local faith communities collaborate to help spread the message of harmony and understanding by showcasing and celebrating the many faith traditions in Central New York.

I was so overwhelmed with the feeling of unity among so many people from so many religious and cultural backgrounds that, within days, I volunteered to serve on the planning committee for the next Harmony Assembly in 2018. At the first meeting I met Diana Wellmon, chair of the committee, and it didn’t take long to see why this event has been so successful under her leadership. So, who is Diana Wellmon?

Diana Wellmon was born in Camden, NY and received a degree in medical laboratory technology from SUNY at Morrisville. She worked as a medical lab tech for 40 years, in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and the American Red Cross.

After retiring from the Red Cross Diana followed the example set by her mother, and began a lifelong commitment to volunteering. Wellmon now works part time for Access of CNY which helps people with disabilities to live independently.

Two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, Betsy Wiggins and Diana Wellmon co-founded Women Transcending Boundaries (WTB). They decided that the divides between various groups within Central New York needed to be bridged so that they could achieve their common objective — a safer, more hospitable Greater Syracuse Area. They established WTB to nurture mutual respect and understanding among women of diverse beliefs and customs.

Wellmon said, “Through programs, events, and social interactions, we seek to nurture mutual respect and   understanding by sharing information about our diverse beliefs, customs, and practices and by working together to address our common concerns.”

WTB has been recognized in the New York Times, CNN International, Oprah Magazine and many others.

Because of her involvement in WTB, for the past 18 years Diana Wellmon has volunteered in many community projects including a community garden, Acts of Kindness weekend (which includes over 300 community projects), Mothers against Gun Violence and more.

On Oct. 20, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously established that World Interfaith Harmony Week, first proposed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, shall be celebrated each year during the first week of February.

It wasn’t long before Diana Wellmon received an invitation for her and her friends to attend the first World InterFaith Harmony Assembly event at the United Nations which would be held in the large assembly hall. When they arrived, they found thousands of people from all over the world. Wellmon said, “It was a very unifying feeling for all there.”

Soon after that experience, Diana Wellmon and Daryl Files (staff member of InterFaith Works) formed a planning committee to have the first annual Harmony Assembly that next February, sponsored by InterFaith Works of Central New York and Women Transcending Boundaries. Wellmon has been on the planning committee for the annual Harmony Assembly event since its beginning and its co-chair for the past three years along with Daryl Files. Recognition is also given to Elizabeth Lamb, who has also served on the committee since its first year.

From 2010 to 2015 Wellmon was a board member and vice chair of United Religious Initiatives North America which is an NGO with the United Nations and has received many community awards and recognition, locally and nationally, with WTB, including Syracuse Universities Unsung Hero’s award in 2007.

Daryl Files says; “I have been blessed to work alongside Diana for the past 10 years.  Moving locations from faith community starting with Bethany Baptist has been a journey that fills my heart with compassion and peace. To know that our community stands shoulder to shoulder. To hear Joan Hillsman and the three songs she has written and performed for all, to observe our youth participate, to see faith communities collaborate together, and to witness empathy and laughter, has been a memory I will always have in my heart.  A toast to all. Growing Together.”

Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone added; “I have worked with Danya in several settings over the past several years through Interfaith Works and Women Transcending Boundaries. Danya works tirelessly to create bridges between faith communities, to help everyone find the common ground that we all share as human beings and as people committed to their faith traditions. She brings to work an openness and inclusive attitude that others pick up on and embrace as well.”

The Annual Harmony Assembly has been very successful, drawing hundreds of people of all faiths. The programming includes music, skits, and talks by the various cultures and religions in attendance. And, of course, traditional food was served at the end of the event. During its first 9 years this event has been held at Bethany Baptist Church, Temple Concord, St. John the Baptist and Holy Trinity Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Mosque of Jesus, Son of Mary, University United Methodist Church, Congregation Beth Shalom-Chevra Shas, and the Southern Missionary Baptist Church. (If only the world could unite like this!)

Once again, the planning committee, with Diana Wellmon and Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone at its helm, has worked diligently to make sure the 10th Annual World InterFaith Harmony Assembly will be very meaningful for all. The public is invited to attend this year’s event on Feb. 3, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Rd., Syracuse.

In between planning meetings, Wellmon volunteers at Sunshine Horses in Clay which is a rescue barn for Standard Bred horses. She says, I “love horses and find working with them feeds my soul.”

Diana Wellmon lives in Dewitt and has two daughters, one son, and a granddaughter. (One of her daughters is deceased.)

For information contact Diana Wellmon at [email protected].

To recommend someone with a stellar record of volunteering to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein: [email protected] or 315-682-7162.