Local Volunteers Honored April 22nd 

Each year during National Volunteer Week United Way of Tampa Bay honors local volunteers.  One very special category is dedicated to youth in our community who give their time, talents and energy to causes they love.  This year's youth winner is Thomas Berg, Plant City, whose passion is supporting the Lowry Park Zoo.  Other youth recognized for their volunteerism range from 1st graders who mentor fellow students who have autism to teens who demonstrate compassion at Bay Pines VA Hospital and Hospice of the Florida Suncoast.  ParentGuide congratulates all the youth participants and encourages our readers to learn more about this year's honorees.  (Editor's Note:  It feels really good to read these briefs about youth right here in our community who are showing such great character and concern for humanity and the environment.  Tingles!)

For parents looking to encourage their children to volunteer, take a moment to check out the Hands on Tampa Bay (HOT) website at www.volunteertampabay.com.  HOT gives volunteers an opportunity to pick and choose projects throughout the metro area serving a number of different causes including animals, homelessness and renovations for senior citizens.  It's a great way to have variety or to help identify your teen's passion.

2009 Winner, Youth

Thomas Berg – Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

Thomas travels all the way from Plant City to volunteer at nearly every event at the zoo. He is the first to say, “I’ll do it!” or offer a creative solution to a problem. Thomas is so knowledgeable about the zoo and the staff and has demonstrated such a high level of responsibility that he was trained as special events intern—something normally reserved for adult volunteers. When Thomas is present, all the other volunteers do an even better job. He’s an excellent role model and advocate, a respected representative of the zoo.

2009 Nominees, Youth

Efrosini Artikis – Pinellas County’s Environmental Management/Environmental Lands Division

Efronsini is one of the most dependable youth volunteers at Brooker Creek Preserve. She is a big help at the information desk, greeting visitors, answering phones and providing information, but she has also helped care for the exhibit animals by feeding them and cleaning their tanks. Efronsini’s creativity and initiative is helping to promote environmental education. She created a new and simplified scavenger hunt activity for visitors, and she’s researching and developing a guide to lichens and bromeliads found in the Preserve.

First Grade Friends Mentoring – Helen A. Davis Elementary School

These young volunteers may not fully realize the impact they are having on the lives of the Prekindergarten Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class, but their kindness and patience is a gift. The tiny mentors spend 30 minutes each day modeling social skills the ASD students need to learn, such as following playground rules, setting the dinner table and talking on the phone. Other volunteers help with sign language and teach basic computer skills. Both groups benefit from this interaction. The first graders learn to care for special needs students, while the ASD students learn skills and behaviors to help them integrate.

Morgan Liston – The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast

As a Hospice Teen Volunteer, Morgan provides a tremendous service to patients and families, touching their lives in many ways. She visits nursing home patients to uplift their spirits, and helps with birthday parties and other celebrations. Morgan is also involved with Lifetime Legacies video projects. She not only interviews patients to capture their life histories, she also helps with filming and editing and developing slideshows that make such meaningful gifts. At her school she serves as the junior class representative of the Hospice Teen Council board and is a wonderful advocate for the program.

Alexandra Morgan – Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

Alexandra serves in many capacities at Bay Pines: she assists staff in assembling and distributing food trays, helps with office duties and escorts patients. But because she already knows her future is in oncology, her work in the Chemotherapy Clinic is especially rewarding. There, she provides outpatients the special touches that make them more comfortable. The patients love Alexandra; they say she’s an inspiration and a joy, and that her love for war vets honors them all. Alexandra brings out the best in those who are lucky to work with her.

Dany Son – Ronald McDonald House

Though the Ronald McDonald House has had many teen volunteers in its 29-year history, Dany stands out for her strong work ethic and “can do” attitude. Dany cheerfully helps in the kitchen, decorates for the holidays, sorts toys or whatever is needed, but it is her compassion for sick children that make her an exemplary role model for other teens. She has a heavy school load as a student in the International Baccalaureate Program, but she doesn’t consider her volunteer work as something she’s required to do; she truly enjoys making a contribution.

Sweetwater Youth Volunteers – Sweetwater Organic Community Farms

While many youth are busy playing, these volunteers are hard at work, helping to harvest and wash vegetables for the Community Supported Agriculture Program and Farmers' Market on Sundays during farming season. They display an outstanding work ethic and competence in service. Their dedication helps make Sweetwater’s programs possible, programs that benefit the environment and the community. The farm depends on their help each week in bringing healthy, locally grown organic produce to Tampa Bay.

Antonio Weinberg – The Spring of Tampa Bay

What started as a community service project for Antonio during his freshman year has turning into an impressive three-year effort, one that has helped countless families in need. Antonio is a self-starter who spearheads drives for toiletries for the domestic violence shelter, all the “little things” that make a difference to people in transition. Twice a year, Antonio contacts the staff to determine the most crucial needs and then work with friends and neighbors to complete the drives. He also completed a Christmas drive for toys and gift cards. The Spring is grateful for his support.