THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9601310146
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Two individuals and two groups from Chesapeake were recognized this week for making their community a little better.
Last night at an awards ceremony at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Volunteer Hampton Roads was scheduled to present its annual Volunteer Achievement Awards to outstanding volunteers in the area.
Chesapeake awards went to Mary Haddad, Lyle Tempel, the Fun Forest Committee and the Naval Security Group Activity, Northwest.
The honors went to those ``who have significantly contributed their time and talent to improve the quality of life in Hampton Roads.''
This regional recognition promotes a variety of services and volunteer opportunities and increases awareness for the critical need for volunteers in the local community.
Awards were given to 33 winners including 24 individuals, six groups, two nonprofit programs and one corporate award. The ceremony also bestowed honorable mention awards to more than 80 individuals and groups.
Haddad, who listed her occupation as ``volunteering,'' was cited for a variety of activities, including serving as chair for the American Heart Association's ``Heart Ball,'' teaching at St. Mark's Catholic Church, helping raise and distribute close to $100,000 through the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission and serving as a member of the Family & Children's Trust Fund, which works to fight domestic violence.
Haddad also was cited for her work as general coordinator of Chesapeake's Fun Forest, where she headed a 40-member committee that oversaw the construction of a community playground.
Tempel was credited with more than 1,200 volunteer hours last year to provide leadership and mentoring to youths in the community.
He established an Explorer post in October and recruited 17 initial members. Explorer posts provide young men and women, ages 14-21, with a positive adult role model while teaching leadership skills, moral values and setting career goals.
Tempel, a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for boys and a member of the administrative board of his church, helped organize a Habitat for Humanity house. He even donated his services as a electrician for the project.
In addition, Tempel helps the Combined Federal Campaign raise funds for various help organizations and volunteers as an assistant baseball coach for two Little League teams.
The Fun Forest Core Committee, formed in May 1994 by the Economic Development Committee of the Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce, built a grandiose park for all ages at Chesapeake City Park.
The committee was responsible for every aspect of the construction including fund-raising, public relations, volunteer recruitment, obtaining donated materials and providing food and child care for volunteers.
A total of 50,000 volunteer hours were donated, including 25,000 from committee members themselves.
The committee resulted in building the largest playground in the state and the largest handicapped-accessible playground on the East Coast.
Finally, the ceremony lauded the work of more than 600 personnel at the Naval Security Group Activity, Northwest. The facility has been involved with volunteer work in the community since 1955.
Base personnel have delivered Meals on Wheels food since 1987 and have worked for Special Olympics and the National Night Out Against Crime for 10 years.
Base personnel have worked as volunteers on issues ranging from the environment, cultural arts, crime and education. It has even instituted some of its own projects and programs, including a ``Gospelrama'' to celebrate ``Black History Month,'' a holiday assistance program and public ceremonies to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr., the Holocaust and the attack at Pearl Harbor. by CNB