An screenshot of many (but not all!) of the volunteers who attended our 11th annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Many are holding a glass up in cheers.
Here at Words Alive, we were so excited to celebrate our volunteers during the 11th Annual Words Alive Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Although this event looked very different than it did in the past (it was our first ever virtual event!), we were so honored that 60+ volunteers joined us to celebrate their accomplishments over the past year. Words Alive is volunteer founded and volunteer led, and we could not do the work we do without them. Thank you, volunteers!
If you missed the event, you can see the recording here! Without further ado, here are our award winners.
Volunteer of the Year: Karen Malin
An image of Karen leading fellow volunteers in a social emotional learning workshop!
Karen orchestrates remarkable classroom-based experiences, not only in person when she’s in the classroom, but behind the scenes spending countless hours writing and enhancing curriculum and helping train other volunteers on how to incorporate the best teaching practices into their work. She’s the very first person who steps up when there’s an opportunity to help.
For 5 years, she has served as a revered watchdog to ensure the impact our volunteers make in the classroom is front-and-center at our fundraising events and community gatherings. And she serves as an advocate and voice on behalf of our growing network of volunteers as one of the newest members to our Board of Directors.
Corporate Volunteer of the Year: HP Inc.
An image of two of our scholars showing off their new HP laptops.
Marvin Gross, Head of Emerging Solutions in Business, and Words Alive volunteer and mentor, Ben Gamboa, worked together to submit an HP grant to benefit Words Alive, which resulted in a $6,000 gift and new laptops for our scholars. They also facilitated a computer literacy workshop for the scholars, which provided helpful essential information for our students navigating college and first-time computer ownership. We still hear that they utilize the tools from the workshop.
Leadership Volunteer of the Year: Hiring Committee
The hiring committee had the immense responsibility of bringing our new Executive Director, Rachael Orose, to Words Alive. Programs Director Amanda Bonds worked intimately alongside Danny Cung, Jeffrey Goldman, Al Goodman, Kay Gurtin, Lisa Kalal, Sandra Korwek, Leslye Lyons, Andrea MacDonald, and Karen Silberman. Putting the right leader in place is an enormous responsibility and one that perhaps has a greater lasting effect than any other singular act of service at an organization. This team nailed it and we are indebted to their efforts!
Family Literacy Program Volunteer of the Year: Peggy Ratner
A screenshot of Peggy holding up her award at the virtual volunteer celebration.
Peggy has served as a translator in the program for three years and has helped countless parents connect to the power of reading in the learning language most comfortable for them. About 50% of families in the program speak Spanish and providing ideas and encouragement in that home language can make the difference between coming to hear a story and embracing that habit at home for themselves. Every teaching artist Peggy has worked alongside in the program has sung her praises anew and we couldn’t do this work without her! Thank you, Peggy!
Read Aloud Program Volunteer of the Year: Hema Lall
An image of Hema passing out books to students.
Hema shares her love of reading through engaging read-aloud sessions with preschool students, and recently added a 1st grade class to her schedule. She goes above and beyond for her students. During the winter book giveaway, she read Flat Stanley and the Very Big Cookie and brought the words alive when she gave students gingerbread cookies to decorate after they read the book together. In addition to her commitment in the classroom, Hema volunteers for special events – most recently at the Farmers Insurance Open through Champions for Youth, where she helped over 70 kindergarten students pick new books to take home! Thank you, Hema, for your dedication and hard work!
Mentor of the Year: Sarah Beauchemin (written by her mentee of three years, Lexi Martinez)
A screenshot of Sarah from the virtual volunteer celebration.
I wanted to take a moment and recognize one of the most inspiring and essential people in my life. I met Sarah almost three years ago in a little café and with our mutual love of cats and finding new adventures, I knew instantly that this was a serendipitous match. Sarah’s constant support has gotten me through academic and personal hardships but knowing that she was always on my side has helped me prevail over any obstacle.
A little tradition that Sarah and I have is that for our monthly meetings, we never go to the same place twice. This has encouraged us to get to know each other’s interests and develop new ones together. Although each one has been memorable in their own way, the ones that stand out at the moment are when we went to an improv comedy show, a Picnic at the park, and the Haunted Trails at Balboa. I often return to these memories when I am struggling and need a boost of positivity.
I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable in thanks to Sarah’s constant optimism for my future and I just want to thank you so much for always being there for me. I feel so fortunate to have you in my life and part of me is upset that I a m graduating because I loved sharing my academic experiences with you but, I know that this bond that we have nurtured for all these years will still be strong even after I walk the stage for graduation.
I want nothing more than to see you succeed in anything you choose to do and I know that I have relied on you for support throughout all of these years, but I hope that you know that I am also a support system to you and I would drop anything to help you. I don’t think anyone is more worthy of this magnificent recognition and thank you so much for being such a kind and amazing person to me. I hope to one day be as resilient and inspiring as you. I appreciate you completely.
Virtual Volunteer of the Year: Zoe Wong
A screenshot of Zoe from the virtual volunteer celebration.
This is a new award given in light of the immense amount of online support we’ve received in the last two months from volunteers all over the country. Zoe is supporting us from Northern California and stood out immediately for her reliability and consistency. Zoe helps us write and schedule social media and not only is she a great writer, but she has the attention to detail that the projects need. In addition, Zoe has submitted numerous prompts for our QuaranTEENS online resource page and has helped to edit videos for our Kids Reading to Kids series. We’re so thankful for the time and energy Zoe has put into volunteering for our organization at such a turbulent time.
Adolescent Book Group Volunteer of the Year: Bernadette Delaney
A screenshot of Bernadette from the virtual volunteer celebration.
In her time as a volunteer, Bernadette has been enthusiastic to innovate and try new things. She has facilitated Adolescent Book Group in an all-boys class for students on probation, piloted the program with an independent study class, and supported our venture into the middle grades. Adolescent Book Group inspires teens facing extraordinary circumstances with books they can relate to, and it takes a special dedication to draw these students into the books and discussion.
This year, Bernadette facilitated a notoriously rowdy class of homeless 6th grade students. “My students are reading in a different way than they did in the past,” the classroom teacher shared. “They’re engaged.”
Talking to Bernadette is like being wrapped in your mom’s hug–she’s always nurturing, positive and warm– something that these kids so desperately need!
Curriculum Volunteer of the Year: Mary Weatherup
An image of Mary standing in front of Shakespeare & Co.
Words Alive curriculum guides, particularly for our Adolescent Book Group Program, are often more than 20 pages long and can take 30 or more hours to write. In the last year, Mary has written three of these guides, more than anyone else by far. Mary is very reliable and is an excellent writer. Whenever there are curriculum tasks to be done, Mary is often the first person to jump at the chance to help. We are so thankful for her passion and thoughtfulness when it comes to providing students and teachers with the resources they need!
Student Volunteer of the Year: Annika Schafer
A screenshot of Annika from the virtual volunteer celebration.
Annika started her journey at Words Alive on our curriculum team and has a real talent for analyzing books and coming up with excellent thought-provoking questions and prompts. Beyond that, Annika has helped us organize spreadsheets that make our curriculum production easier as well as other critical behind-the-scenes work in the office. She is thorough, communicative, and proactive and always produces high-quality work. Annika goes to college in Massachusetts but still manages to find time to help Words Alive. We’re so thankful for her time and dedication.
Office Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Levin
A screenshot of Melissa from the virtual volunteer celebration.
Melissa has been volunteering for Words Alive for the past year and brings her enthusiasm to everything she does. In addition to volunteering in the Read Aloud Program with 1st and 2nd graders, Melissa volunteers in the office to support our staff by preparing projects and materials for various programs, including the 2020 Art & Lit project. Melissa takes on challenging projects and is always happy to support Words Alive, our staff, and her fellow volunteers. We are proud to present Melissa with this year's Words Alive Office Volunteer of Year award! Thank you, Melissa!
Partner of the Year: HandsOn San Diego
A screenshot of Jessie from the virtual volunteer celebration.
HandsOn San Diego is an organization that works tirelessly to connect volunteers to opportunities in their communities! This past year we have hosted more book sorting and crafting events with HandsOn San Diego than ever before and have had a record number of volunteers join our organization after discovering us through HandsOn. Here to accept the award is Jessie Case, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for HandsOn San Diego.
Rookie of the Year: Lita Kleger
A screenshot of Lita from the virtual volunteer celebration.
Lita Kleger began volunteering with Words Alive in August. Since then, Lita has supported the Adolescent Book Group, bringing books alive for teenagers facing extraordinary circumstances such as homelessness, violence, teen pregnancy, and impact by the justice system. Lita's passion for serving her community is evident from your first conversation with her-- and she excitedly takes on new projects and supports other volunteers in the process.
Thank you to our 380+ volunteers for making the work we do possible! You are inspiring a love of reading throughout our community! Learn more about our virtual volunteer opportunities here.