2018 Salvation Army Volunteers of the Year Announced
The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division recently announced our 2018 Volunteer of the Year award winners. “The work done by these volunteers is vital to our success as an organization and we are all incredibly fortunate to have these dedicated individuals, groups and corporations with us,” said Linda Reiter, volunteer resource manager for the Army’s Metropolitan Division.
Congratulations – and thank you! – to all our winners:
Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year: The Sikh Society
Volunteers with The Salvation Army since the 1990s, the Sikh Society regularly donates and serves food at the Freedom Center, and donates thousands of dollars annually. Once a quarter they invite a Salvation Army representative to come to their meeting, talk about our programs and suggest ways they can be involved.
“Those coming [to volunteer] are highly successful business men and women. Yet they accept and joyfully perform positions of trash removers, table cleaners, and dishwashers. They serve where needed,” said Major Nancy Powers of the Freedom Center.
“The Sikhs serve our guests with dignity and respect. They make them feel loved and welcome. They take care of every need with a smile. I love the way they play with children and sit down with a lonely man by himself on Christmas. Their most outstanding accomplishment could be the thousands of dollars they have donated. To me, their most amazing work is the love they give.”
Individual Volunteer of the Year: Veronica Martinez
For the past eight years, Martinez (pictured middle above) has helped with the Templo Laramie corps community center’s food pantry, Angel Tree program, toy distribution, children’s programs and fundraising efforts all while also recruiting other volunteers and sharing information in the community about Army programs and resources. She often spends entire weeks, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., volunteering her time and talents.
“One of her most noticeable qualities is that she doesn’t discriminate when it comes to service and help; males, females, singles, married, seniors, vulnerable adults, homeless, teenagers and children have all been impacted by her dedication and devotion,” said Captain Milly Pagan, the officer who nominated Martinez. “She is a great example of what volunteer work should be.”
Corporate/Organization Volunteer of the Year: Allstate Insurance
Since 2015, Allstate has brought Christmas gifts to children, provided blankets for those in shelters and on the streets, helped those touched by disaster and made Salvation Army community centers more inviting for clients. “This company understands the heart of volunteerism and puts it to work every day and in every way possible,” said Linda Reiter.
“They were the first corporate partner to register for our virtual Angel Tree program and they have taken that program to heart, responding in ways beyond our dreams. In 2018, their program expanded to two branch offices in addition to the main campus, resulting in gifts for nearly 800 children.”
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