Each spring WFYI holds a volunteer recognition event to thank and honor volunteers from the previous year. This year we had big plans to launch a new volunteer social recognition event. Unfortunately, due to the stay at home order we had to postpone those plans. However, we still had so much to celebrate for our volunteer's accomplishments from 2019!
We decided to hold a virtual volunteer awards celebration and had many volunteers attend this presentation with us, if you missed if you can check out the recording here.
In 2019 WFYI Volunteers donated a total of 7,894 volunteer hours! We are so thankful for all of the volunteers that choose to give their time to us. We truly could not do what we do without our wonderful volunteers. Congratulations to this year's volunteer award recipients!
Ardath Y. Burkhart Volunteer of the Year Award-IRIS Program Readers
This year the Ardath Y. Burkhart Award is presented to all of the 2019 IRIS Program Readers! 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 Pubic Broadcasting Inc.
This year we are honoring not one but many outstanding volunteers. Last fall IRIS underwent a transition to being managed by WFYI's Community Engagement team. With this transition came a new program schedule, trainings, learning curves and the ability to be flexible. IRIS volunteers were helpful and patient as the transition took place and became even more involved in the IRIS program process and volunteering with WFYI.
On top of all of the adjustments last fall brought, they have braved change once again during the stay at home order. Many volunteers have continued to volunteer from home by recording their program on a phone or computer. Whatever comes their way, IRIS volunteers are dedicated and resilient to their meaningful work. Thanks to each and every 2019 IRIS Program Reader!
2019 IRIS Program Volunteers:
Joe Allison, Bob Amt, Moira Bradley, Serita Borgias, Deborah Corpus, Ken Crook, Tamarria Day Fernandez, Cheryl Devolglowinski, Paul Drew, Reid Duffy, Lisa Eagleson-Roever, Charlene Ebbott, April Edwards, Adam Gibson, Frank Gootee, Jerry Graham, Jerry Green, John Grimes, Sandy Haney, Leigh Harris, Eleanor Hingtgen, Tina Humphrey, Ellen Ibrahim, Tina Jackson, Linda Joy, Mary Jungemann, Michael Kinder, Jess King, Larry Kitchel, Cyrena Knight, Barb Lakin, Jaime Lira, Mary Loe, Kathy Maeglin, Duane Mercier, Georgiann Morrow, Jeff Nilsson, Pat O'Connor, Joyce Pepple, Nancy Prosser, Marsha Putt, Lori Qadir, Pat Reeves, Janice Rogers, Jane Root, Jim Rosebro, Brian Roush, Laurie Sachtleben, Christy Scofield, Marty Schmidt, J. Albert Seidel, Bonnie Shute, Linda Stark, Karla Thompson, Christy Tidwell, Mark Varnau, Teresa Walla, Chuck White, Kelly Wright, Tom Wright, Wyl Young
Martha Sterrett Service Award-Ed Frazier
This year's Martha Sterrett Award recipient is Ed Frazier! 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. Ed has been volunteering with WFYI for 8 years and assists with the weekly mailing projects each Thursday. He has such a great problem-solving attitude, and that is coupled with a great ability to think through a process and to get things done. As an educator, he continues to be curious and eager to learn, and we appreciate his curiosity and positive outlook.
Hear from Ed below…
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
I believe it is the camaraderie with the Thursday Morning crew.
What is your most memorable experience from volunteering?
Getting to know the other volunteers, especially Dean Witte who was our resident curmudgeon of the Thursday Morning Volunteers.
What would you tell someone who is interested in volunteering with WFYI?
If you want to do something worthwhile and get to know some interesting people, then volunteer at WFYI!
Favorite PBS/NPR show/program?
I have found most of the Masterpiece series very good and very well done.
Thomas C. Hasbrook Commitment Award-Paul Drew
This year's Thomas C. Hasbrook Commitment Award was given to Paul Drew! This award goes to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary support for the IRIS program. Paul has been volunteering for IRIS close to 18 years and has been a volunteer for many programs including the daily IndyStar on Wednesdays, pharmacy ads and great books.
He is a volunteer who has really shown his commitment to IRIS and he is absolutely deserving of Thomas C. Hasbrook award. When we've had new technology to learn, even if he's a little nervous he goes in ready to try and isn't afraid to ask questions or ask for help! He doesn't seem to get nervous once it's time to read though-he's jumped in to read for multiple programs and even stepped up to read the 2-hour Indy Star segment solo before!
His commitment to serving this unique audience is truly an incredible inspiration and the IRIS program is so lucky to have such an exceptional volunteer.
Hear from Paul below…
What attracted you to volunteering with WFYI?
Two English teachers with whom I became acquainted through theatre, suggested if I liked speaking/listening to the spoken word that this activity would be satisfying, it has been so.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with WFYI?
Returning to the early days of radio, and visually describing to sight impaired individuals, in a medium that allows them to picture mentally what is described over the microphone.
What is your most memorable experience from volunteering?
The precious seconds' countdown 'til "we are alive on the air" Wednesday with Jim Rosebro. We in our idiomatic homespun local way become The Bob and Ray segment of the live reading of The Indy Star.
What would you tell someone who is interested in volunteering with WFYI?
The activity is very self-satisfying personally, and worthwhile to the listeners who are compromised for various reasons. Listeners are rely on you as a dependable non opinionated valuable source of various types of information.
What are your favorite PBS/NPR Programs?
All Things Considered with Scott Horsley and This American Life with Ira Glass
Don Sandstrom Rookie Volunteer of the Year-Mary Ann Clifford
This year's Don Sandstrom Rookie Volunteer of the Year is Mary Ann Clifford! Mary Ann began volunteering after she retired in March 2019. She first took a two-month hiking trip, then began with WFYI in early August by serving as a brand ambassador at an Indianapolis Indians' game and then at the Penrod Arts Fair in September. From there she began coming into the office to volunteer once a week and has assisted the Major and Planned Giving Team in many different ways since.
Mary Ann has an infectious warmth about her that bleeds into every task she performs. She's been a huge asset to the Major and Planned Giving Team and has supported the program in many different ways. Whether its phone calls to donors, support on one of our portfolio letter mailings or manning the check-in table at WFYI's inaugural Trivia Night event, she's a joy to be around and makes the work more enjoyable. She's always kind, insightful and excited to help where most needed and quick to lend assistance. Lately, she's even been reaching out to donors to offer various WFYI resources and show our gratitude during these challenging times. We're fortunate to have her help and are so lucky to continue to benefit from her capable leadership and warm heart for public media!
Hear from Mary Ann below…
What attracted you to volunteering with WFYI?
When people asked me what my retirement plans were, I always said I was going to volunteer at WFYI. I had no idea in what capacity, but I knew I had to support the valuable work WFYI does. I have been a huge fan since the 1970's! We religiously followed "Upstairs, Downstairs" In the early 80's, and my children grew up with Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street. I value those programs along with Masterpiece Theater and all the other quality, entertaining, and informative programs WFYI offers. My favorite programs are anything on Masterpiece Theater, the locally produced Crispus Attucks High School documentary, and the PBS Newshour along with BBC's World News. As for NPR, it is THE station on in our car and home. I love Morning Edition, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, and Ira Glass' This American Life.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at WFYI?
Volunteering at WFYI is incredibly fun. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is so welcoming, friendly, helpful, and appreciative. I feel that the work I am doing there is truly making life better for the staff and consequently the station. The positive, can-do attitude of the people I work with really makes my day. They are the station's best asset.
What would you tell someone who is interested in volunteering with WFYI?
I strongly encourage anyone who is considering volunteering at WFYI to just do it! I volunteer two other places, and WFYI has the best people, the most fun, and the greatest personal reward.
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
- Joyce Arterberry
- Linda Caldwell
- Elizabeth Davis
- Paul Drew
- Reid Duffy
- Alan Goebes
- Frank Gootee
- Jerry Graham
- Joan Hilber
- Eleanor Hingtgen
- Michael Kinder
- Mary Loe
- Janet Penwell
- Mary Rinck
- Jane Root
- Jim Rosebro
- Marty Schmidt
- Bonnie Shute
- Linda Stark
- Christy Tidwell
- Chuck White
- Kelly Wright
- Wyl Young
And this year's over 300 hour Award Recipients are:
- Bernadette Hengesbach
- John Hengesbach
- Carl Warner
