Six outstanding volunteers received Quad City Caring Awards on Tuesday evening, September 28, from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. The non-profit organizations that nominated the winners each also received a grant for $1,000. The awards and grants were presented during CFGRB’s annual celebration, held at the i Wireless Center in Moline.

   Award recipients are chosen from nominees who demonstrate selflessness and a long-term commitment to service. Each year, a young person between the ages of 6 and 21 is chosen for one of the awards.

   2010 recipients are:

   Susan Collins, nominated by the Midwest Writing Center

   John Kessler, nominated by Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities

   Gwen Tombergs, nominated by CASI – Center for Active Seniors, Inc.

   Johnnie Woods, nominated by the Student Tutoring and Mentoring Program

   Gertrude Vogel, nominated by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc.

   Sarah Cronk, nominated by The Sparkle Effect.

   “Non-profits would not be able to operate and help as many people as they do without the amazing volunteers who give so much of their time and energy,” said Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB). “The Caring Awards represent a ‘thank you’ from the community to both the volunteer and the non-profit that nominates them.”

   Gertrude Vogel, the oldest of the volunteers, recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She has hardly missed a day in 20 years volunteering at Humility of Mary Housing, Inc.

   The youngest volunteer, Sarah Cronk, created the Spartan Sparkles, the nation’s first high-school cheerleading squad for students with disabilities. She was featured last year on the Oprah Winfrey Show and is establishing similar cheerleading squads around the nation.

   Susan Collins joined the Midwest Writing Center in 2002, and much of the growth and success of the organization since that time is attributed to her efforts.

   John Kessler has supervised and worked on many “builds” for Habitat for Humanity, and he founded a non-profit to help feed hungry children.

   Gwen Tombergs has served many non-profits in the Quad Cities. She helped create the “Light Up the Holidays” and “Holiday Hat Bash” events for CASI.

   Johnnie Woods grew up in the Lincoln Homes housing project and has worked hard to help children starting out with obstacles in their path. Johnnie has worked with the Martin Luther King Center and has created programs such as The Kindergarten Connection and the Student Tutoring and Mentoring Program (S.T.A.M.P.).

   “Each of the volunteers shares a common trait,” says Skora. “They each demonstrate a seemingly tireless commitment to help people.”

   The awards were presented to the volunteers by Diane Harris, CFGRB Board Chair, and Mike Drymiller, CFGRB First Vice Chair.

   The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is a nonprofit organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. CFGRB meets the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations as established by the Council of Foundations. CFGRB’s website is www.cfgrb.org.  

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