Celebrating 100 Volunteer of the Month columns
by Mel Rubenstein
It was while attending weekly Dewitt Rotary meetings featuring guest speakers from a variety of charitable organizations that I realized this area is blessed with so many giving volunteers. This is why I began writing Volunteer of the Month columns in the Eagle Bulletin. Thanks to David Tyler, publisher, Jason Gabak, editor, and all those who preceded him, this past October was a milestone, with the 100th column. And, a special thank you to my wife, Madeline, who edited each of these columns and made sure the punctuation marks were included.
To celebrate, here are snippets from one column of each of the years involved.
Note: The first column was in 2009 but none from 2010 to 2012 due to other obligations. The columns continued from 2013 to the present.
August 2009: Kelly Drew is a shining example of how volunteerism is not just for retired people. Kelly just graduated from Manlius Pebble Hill in DeWitt. While excelling academically, she found time to give of herself. Kelly was one of a group of teenagers who spent a week in New Orleans helping to repair homes damaged by Katrina. She said, “There is no way to understand the scope of devastation unless you see it personally.”
May 2013: Upon their retirement, Dick and Nancy Humpleby became interested in volunteering in the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program. “Tutoring has expanded my horizons,” Nancy said. “At first, some of the children refused tutoring, but after they saw their friends being tutored, and the caring and special attention they received, they changed their minds…and that was very rewarding.”
She said that her husband feels a bond with some of these kids when he tutors them because of their lack of a male figure that cares about them.
Jan 2014: Debbie Bender and Marilyn Sanson have been volunteering together for Make – A -Wish Central New York Foundation for more than 20 years. Bender and Sanson were introduced to Make – A – Wish when their sons decided to raise funds by bicycling from Seattle to Syracuse. Soon after, they became Wish Granters and work with children from 2 ½ to 18 years old who have life threatening medical conditions. These 2 women are dedicated to making every eligible child’s wish come true in the 8 County area of Central New York.
Aug 2015: David’s Refuge is a place where parents, who are 24/7 caregivers for their children with special needs or life-threatening illness, can get some much needed time to rest, reflect, and re-charge. It was founded by Warren and Brenda Pfohl who watched their son, David, battle effects of Battens Disease for 13 years before passing away at just 21 years of age. After David passed away the Pfohl’s started a non-profit to serve families still in the journey of caring for their children. David’s Refuge offers respite for these parents who can enjoy a weekend away, complete with wonderful meals and caring conversation. There are three things the Pfohl’s want every parent top know: “You are not alone, what you do matters, and God loves you.”
Feb 2016: The mission of Clear Path for Veterans is recognizing the responsibility of communities to help those who serve. It empowers service members, veterans, and their families through supportive programs and services in a safe, respectful environment. The mission is accomplished because of over 400 volunteers. BJ Brang is one of those volunteers. Melissa Spicer, CEO of Clear Path for Veterans, said, “BJ holds a special place with Clear Path, the veterans, and me personally. There is no doubt that she understands the meaning of service above self.”
June 2017: Carolin Murphy’s volunteer duties at Helping Hounds include the BAT team (Behavior Assessment and Training) where they work with dogs who need extra help in gaining confidence, walking on a leash, and more. She said, “I love seeing the positive changes the training provided by our staff and volunteers who give the dogs that needed extra attention. We also attend conferences and pass on our knowledge to new volunteers.”
May 2018: Since graduating from the Syracuse University Law School in 1960, Victor Hershdorfer has had a long, successful career as a lawyer. During the years, he somehow found time to do a variety of pro bono work. Victor was Chair of the Onondaga County Bar Association Grievance Committee which hears complaints from clients who have been damaged by representation of a lawyer. He said, “Grievance Committee service can place one ion an uncomfortable position of ‘judging’ your colleagues.” Hershdorfer was also chair of the Onondaga County Professional Ethics and Responsibility. He is a well-known expert on legal ethics and has lectured on the subject for the New York State Bar Association and other organizations.
Dec 2019: Road2RecoveryCNY helps young adults affected by opioid addiction. Karen Ayoub said all three of her children know someone who is struggling with drugs, and they are nice kids from nice families. She said, “I have met mothers of kids who have died from an overdose… it’s everywhere at all economic levels.” Karen now volunteers for Road2RecoveryCNY. She said; “My responsibilities are bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial reporting to the board of director. And, we all pitch in to help with fundraising.”
May 2020: For the past 65 years the Rotary Club of Dewitt has held its annual Pancake Day fundraiser in May, but not this year due to the coronavirus. Rotary’s Pancake Day is different from most others. Most institutions conduct pancake days to raise funds for their needs. Dewitt Rotary Pancake Day raises funds that go to organizations like the Samaritan Center, OnPoint for College, Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation, Monarch Industries, International Rotary Polio Project, Rotary Youth Exchange, Salvation Army, JD School Programs, Boy Scouts … and more. Rotary Club of Dewitt Pancake Day draws thousands of people from the Central NY area.
Note: Because this year’s Pancake Day was cancelled, members of Dewitt Rotary made personal donations to the club’s philanthropy fund for distribution to charitable organizations. Plans are already underway for next year’s Pancake Day.
Mel Rubenstein
