Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412240034
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Elmer C. Carter of Roanoke was honored recently by the national headquarters of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation and was added to the roster of Founding Members of the foundation's new Golden Hearts Club.
The honor is reserved for people who have displayed "an outstanding dedication" to helping America's veterans - especially those who have been wounded by enemy action and have received the Purple Heart medal.
Youth service award offered in valley
The Congressional Award, a personal achievement program based on individual abilities, is being promoted through school guidance counselors and other groups that work with young people throughout the Roanoke Valley.
The program is open to people age 14 through 23 in Roanoke and Salem and Roanoke, Craig and Botetourt counties.
Mike Akers of Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, said the award can be earned regardless of academic ability. It is based on achievement toward goals set by the individual. Several young people in the Roanoke Valley are working toward the award, he said.
The Congressional Award is the highest youth service award in the nation and is presented by members of Congress. Akers is a member of the Congressional Award Committee of the Roanoke Valley, the agency conducting the program in this area. Throughout Virginia the program is directed by the Virginia Council, a group of volunteer youth organization leaders.
Akers said the program is ongoing and has no deadlines.
The award requires activities in four different areas - voluntary community service, personal development, physical fitness and participation in physical or cross-cultural activities. It is open to young people who engage in projects that exceed normal daily activities.
Young people who do volunteer work, are employed part time, engage in personal improvement projects or go on expeditions or camping trips can use those activities as Congressional Award requirements.
Guidance offices at all Roanoke Valley high schools are distributing brochures detailing the program. Brochures also are available from leaders at other youth organizations, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts.
Participants in the program are not compared to anyone else. They select their own goals and work toward them at their own pace, regardless of any disabilities, Akers said. All goals and activities are individually planned.
Boy Scouts council honors 5 volunteers
Five area members of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America received awards recently for their service.
Receiving the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given by the council, were: Wally Hare, Roanoke; Judy Thierry, Cloverdale; and Morgan Griffith, Hal Trent Jr. and Carl Stump, Salem.
The Blue Ridge Mountains Council serves 21 counties and eight cities in Central and Western Virginia serving more than 12,000 people yearly.
Cancer society honors area people, groups
The American Cancer Society, Virginia Division Inc., recently honored several Roanoke-area people and groups for their service to the society.
Roger Fowler of Roanoke was named Volunteer of the Year. Fowler, who is unit secretary with the Roanoke Valley/Franklin Unit of the American Cancer Society, was honored for his outstanding volunteer work in the local community.
For the past six years, Fowler has chaired the Communications Committee, served on the Relay For Life Committee, and has been active with service and rehabilitation as well as public education.
The Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke Valley received the Harold P. Freeman Award.
The award was established last year by the national organization to recognize exemplary achievement in bringing cancer control to under-served, at-risk communities.
The Bradley Free Clinic was established to provide free medical, dental, and pharmacy services to the Roanoke-area's working poor. Staffed by volunteer professionals, the clinic serves the uninsured and under-insured in the area.
Two Excalibur Awards were also presented.
The first, to Alphawolf Group in Roanoke, for developing and producing an eight-minute teaching video designed to communicate American Cancer Society programs.
The second award was given to Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Lougheed of Roanoke for their continuing involvement with the American Cancer Society.
by CNB