Last week was National Volunteer Appreciation Week! While we appreciate our volunteers every day, we were glad to celebrate them even more last week. All volunteers were invited to attend a drive-thru appreciation event at WFYI. Awards, prizes for having WFYI gear and thank you gifts were given to those that attended. A big thanks to Lick Ice Cream for donating a free scoop coupon to each volunteer and the Indiana Historical Society for assisting with gifts for our volunteers!
Over the past year we have completely pivoted our volunteer program to operating remotely. IRIS volunteers are recording program material from home, trainings and orientations are happening via Zoom, projects were mailed and sent back and there have been countless pick ups and drop offs of material for projects at WFYI and even to many of your porches! It has been wonderful to see the ways we have all adapted during such a strange time.
With over a year of no in person volunteering, it was so good for some of our staff to see many of our volunteers in person (from a safe distance of course) and chat for a bit! We have missed seeing everyone and were glad so many volunteers were able to stop by. We missed everyone that was not able to attend but hope to see you soon!
In total, over the past year, WFYI Volunteers donated over 2,700 volunteer hours! We are so thankful for all the volunteers that choose to give their time to us, especially during such a crazy year. We truly could not do what we do without you. Congratulations to this year's volunteer award recipients!
Ardath Y. Burkhart Volunteer of the Year Award-ALL WFYI Volunteers
This year the Ardath Y. Burkhart Award is presented to all the 2020 WFYI volunteers! This award was created to honor a person who motivates others and encourages them to achieve great things. Mrs. Burkhart is remembered both for her ability to lead groups and for being an active participant in any physical endeavor that would benefit WFYI. The Burkhart Award is WFYI's premiere recognition of outstanding volunteer service in support of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting Inc.
With the year we have all experienced it is only fitting that each and every one of our volunteers deserves this award. WFYI volunteers have pivoted, stayed connected and continued to support our mission without hesitation throughout the past year. Your commitment and contributions are so meaningful and appreciated.
Thanks to each one of you for your support!
Martha Sterrett Service Award-Leigh Harris
This year's Martha Sterrett Award recipient is Leigh Harris! The Martha Sterrett Service Award recognizes a volunteer who gives generously of their time to WFYI Public Media with a positive attitude and willingness to help with any task in service to WFYI.
Leigh has been volunteering with WFYI for several years and over the past year has expanded the ways she contributes her time. Leigh has read for the IRIS program, helped create curriculum, made notes of encouragement for our PBS Kids activities and more! Her positive attitude is uplifting and her willingness to help in various ways is admirable.
Thank you, Leigh, for everything you do to support WFYI!
Thomas C. Hasbrook Commitment Award-Chuck White
This year's Thomas C. Hasbrook Commitment Award recipient is Chuck White! This award goes to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary support for the IRIS program. Chuck has been volunteering for IRIS many years and has been a volunteer for various programs. He is always willing to sub for a program, even if it's last minute.
He is a volunteer who is personable, caring, and flexible. He is committed to the organization and is absolutely deserving of Thomas C. Hasbrook award. He has jumped right in to recording remotely and always offers to help with any additional needs.
We are lucky to have such a committed volunteer in Chuck. Thank you, Chuck, for all you do to support WFYI!
Don Sandstrom Rookie Volunteer of the Year-Adele Kirk
This year's Don Sandstrom Rookie Volunteer of the Year is Adele Kirk! Adele began volunteering last fall and has helped in so many ways right from the beginning.
Adele volunteers for IRIS and reads for multiple programs, helps with PBS Kids projects and more! She has already given over twenty hours of her time through volunteering. We are fortunate to have her help and are grateful that she began volunteering during such a crazy time. We look forward to having Adele continue to volunteer with us!
Thank you, Adele, for all you do to support WFYI!
Diana W. Davis Hour Awards
Diana W. Davis is recognized throughout the Indianapolis community as a renowned civic leader and advocate for public broadcasting. Mrs. Davis was an original member of Ardath's Army which became The Women's Council for Channel 20 and is now known as the Friends of WFYI. In 1972-73, Mrs. Davis served as the Women's Council President. In 1974, she served as an Executive Committee member of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting Board of Directors.
In 1996, the Diana W. Davis Awards, formerly the Over One Hundred Hours Award, were named to honor her spirit of celebration for achievements in volunteers. The Diana W. Davis Service Hours Awards recognize volunteers who have donated over 100, 300 and 500 hours of volunteer service during the past year.
This year's over 100-hour Award Recipients are:
- Joe Allison
- Bob Amt
- Cheryl DeVol-Glowinski
- Paul Drew
- Janet Fitzwater
- Mary Loe
- Sharon McKittrick
- Marty Schmidt
- Bonnie Shute
