ThisWeek CW 11/12/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/11/09/work-with-food-pantry-earns-shirley-volunteer-award.html
Groveport resident Steven Shirley has won the 2015 Columbus Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award for his work with the Center for Groveport Madison Human Needs and its summer lunch program.
The annual award is presented by Direct Energy and ThisWeek Community News and includes a donation to the organization associated with the winner.
Christine Boucher, executive director of the Center for Groveport Madison Human Needs, said the summer lunch program wouldn’t be the success it is without Shirley’s efforts. Because of his work, the organization has received a much-needed $5,000 award from Direct Energy and ThisWeek.
“Steven put in countless hours months before the program started and many, many during the program. He was always hands-on where needed to make sure that the kids got food,” Boucher said.
Boucher said Shirley also was responsible for volunteer management and for applying for additional grant money that not only helped make almost 20,000 meals available to children during summer break over the last two years but also provided backpacks and other items.
“The service he has provided for this program over the last couple of years is extraordinary,” Boucher said.
Shirley said he got his start with the program a few years ago as a once-a-week volunteer, until a previous coordinator got sick and had to step down.
“I stepped in and took over the role just as many changes were being made,” Shirley said. “This program is very much needed. Our community has many children who do not know when their next meal will come and school is the only place they get food.
“When summer break comes around, these students are left without a consistent, nutritional source,” he said. “With this program, we deliver food to these students so they don’t have to worry about their next meal.”
Approximately 75 percent of the students in the Groveport Madison Local School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
According to Shirley, the time the children spend at the lunch program leads to new friendships, and is one of the perks of his efforts.
“The value of volunteering is that it’s a very rewarding experience, putting others first and knowing you are there to help someone regardless of who or what they may be going through. Seeing a happy kid with a big smile as you give them a meal is wonderful and so is making so many new friends.
“The summer lunch program takes a lot of volunteers to make it a success and I have had the good fortune of meeting some very outstanding people along this journey. Every year, the number of kids that need this program increases,” Shirley said.
Direct Energy U.S. North General Manager Cullen Hay said it was Shirley’s vision to grow the program and support more students that both greatly benefited the community and led to the decision to reward his efforts this year.
“Steven Shirley has been a driving force behind the success of the summer lunch program in the Groveport Madison school district,” Hay said. “His effort has left a positive impact on many lives.”