By Matt Howell—
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Muncie Rotary Club, Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club, and First Merchants Bank recognized six individuals at the 28th annual VIVA Awards luncheon, held on April 26th at the Horizon Convention Center.
The VIVA Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of volunteer activity to serve the civic and social needs of our community. The event rewards, reinforces, and inspires local volunteers to aspire to the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.” Individuals who live or work in Delaware County were eligible. Their service has impacted numerous local organizations and has resulted in hundreds of volunteer hours benefitting our community.
The photos above change every 3 seconds and were taken by Angie Rogers-Howell.
This year’s honorees included:
Keith Doudt—Edmund F. Ball Lifetime Achievement Award
A Better Way Services, Inc., has benefitted tremendously from the volunteerism of Keith Doudt. He was employed there as Executive Director for many years, and then worked part-time as director of fund development until December 31, 2015.
His nominator wrote: “The primary characteristics that make Keith worthy of this recognition are his constant humility and steadfast effort to do what is right. He is such a humble, quiet servant. His volunteerism is not for show. He does not seek recognition. He quietly goes about making the lives of others better than they were before. He has a broad skill set that sets him apart, yet he is just as happy to do what might be thought of as a menial task, as he is to sit with the well-known movers and shakers. He understands the value of help being given where it is needed. Often, there are motives behind service – networking opportunities, return favors, and public recognition are only a few. Keith simply wants to serve. He believes it is up to each of us to contribute in positive ways so that good things happen. He does all of this not as a solemn supporter, but as a partner who encourages others and laughs with us all. That being said, there is no doubt that he has a heart for those in need.”
VIVA Award Winners
Julie Mason
Her nominator wrote: “It was Julie’s enthusiasm as 2020 began that really makes her deserving of the VIVA. In late 2019, I was able to submit an order for promotional aides to the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of the Census Council. Most Census Council members requested very moderate numbers of supplies – 100 bags, 250 flyers, a dozen water bottles. But not Julie. Julie wanted items by the 1,000s. Julie single handedly distributed 100s, or maybe even 1,000s, of webcam covers, canvas bags, lanyards, hand-held fans, water bottles, and informational material, along with Census Partner window decals and an invitation to be a partner. She did all of this in just two short months – and then asked for more!”
Charlotte McKnight
Her nominator wrote: “Charlotte serves as the lead volunteer for Muncie Mission’s Family Service food pantry. She faithfully volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday morning year-round to distribute groceries to individuals and families in desperate need. In addition to her weekly service facilitating the food pantry, Charlotte has volunteered in several other roles across Muncie Mission. She regularly helps serve Thanksgiving and Christmas community meals as well as assists with the annual Walk A Mile and golf outing fund raisers. Beyond the Mission, Charlotte also volunteers weekly to coordinate the backpack food program for students at Southside Middle School.”
Dr. Julie Holland
Her nominator wrote: “She co-chairs the Nutrition Committee of the Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee (MARRC), which is currently assisting 90 Afghans evacuated to the United States following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban insurgents. Julie is a host family for five Afghan refugees. Julie is also a member of the Board of the newly established Orchestra Indiana, a merger of the MSO and Marion Symphony Orchestra. Since 2008, Julie has been an active member of Ball State University Women’s Club, consisting of wives of BSU faculty and retired female faculty. For the past two years, Julie has volunteered as the assistant to the President of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS). And in 2019, Julie rescued a five-week-old puppy from the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, that had been abandoned by its mother.”
Debra Rolli
Her nominator wrote: “Deb shares her time with our community by volunteering as a GriefShare leader. By facilitating this group, Deb has impacted numerous individuals and families. She understands their grief and their fragility because she, too, experienced great loss. Following the death of her beloved husband, she participated in the GriefShare program. She then found her calling. In addition to convening the formal program, she makes herself available. She meets people where they are. SHIFT, a youth grief group, is now taking shape. After many, many months of planning and recruiting, she is ready to launch this offshoot in May 2022. This will address the unique experiences of our young population and focus on giving voice to their feelings.”
Joetta Teague
Her nominator wrote: “Joetta is an “indispensable volunteer,” a “great provider” and “life saver” to local teachers through her time at Classroom Connections of ECI. Through Joetta’s gifts this past year, our nonprofit has been able to gift tens of thousands of new children’s books to area students, help provide key COVID-19 relief supplies to keep schools open and help deliver critical core school supplies such as pencils, spiral notebooks and backpacks to students who had none. As one local teacher says best, “When Joetta finds a need, she works diligently to fill it.”
Congratulations to all the VIVA award winners and thank you for your service to the community.
Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club meets on Fridays at 7:00 A.M. at the Knights of Columbus, 3600 W. Purdue Avenue in Muncie, Indiana.
Muncie Noon Rotary Club meets on Tuesdays at Noon at Minnetrista, 1200 North Minnetrista Parkway in Muncie.
About Rotary International
Rotary International was founded in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris and three business associates to “do good” in Chicago. Today, Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000 clubs work together to: promote peace; fight disease; eradicate polio; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; and grow local economies. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” based on the foundation of our values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
