Like many things right now, the 2020 MCCF Annual Meeting went virtual this year! Although different from our usual gatherings, there were still plenty of things to celebrate, including the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Award.
MCCF Board President Jessica Bokhart commended all of the nominees for their hard work and dedication, and each received a small gift and certificate of appreciation for their volunteer efforts. They were:
- Dana Cook, 4 Anchors Women's Ministries
- Shannon Hudson, League of Women Voters
- Tim Moser, Trinity Life Ministry
- Phil and Robin Pirtle, Waynetown Volunteer Fire Department
- Nancy Sennett, Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau
- Heather Shirk, Montgomery County United Fund
- Jon Swick, Montgomery County 4-H
While it is no small task to choose just one volunteer because all are deserving, this year’s VOY award went to Phil and Robin Pirtle for their work with the Waynetown Volunteer Fire Department. Phil is the Fire Chief and Robin has since retired as a firefighter - but their work goes beyond the sound of the fire alarm.
Last summer after a storm, the department mobilized to help with the massive clean-up. While Phil organized the clean-up, Robin fed the workers. This spring as the schools closed due to the pandemic, they worried that some students might go hungry. So along with others, they served lunches to students in Waynetown. That grew to include the elderly, and expanded to Wingate and New Richmond. They also started a temporary food pantry to assist families experiencing hard times. When the department needed more masks, Phil asked Robin to make some, then realized he could do it too and went out and bought his own sewing machine.
Robin was on hand to accept a plaque, presented by MCCF Board Vice-President Joyce Grimble. In addition, a $1,000 gift was made to the Waynetown Volunteer Fire Department in honor of Phil and Robin's work.
In other business, Phil Bane was voted in as a new member of the MCCF Board of Directors. He will replace outgoing board member Sam Hildebrand, who has served two terms and on many committees. Sam was thanked for his service to MCCF and the community, then presented with a certificate during the meeting.
President Bokhart wrapped up the meeting with some reflections on the activities and accomplishments in the past year. One of the major accomplishments was expanding access to childcare in Montgomery County, awarding funds to create 80 new seats in early learning centers and forming a coalition to help parents, employers and providers. In 2019, MCCF awarded more than $1.4 million in grants and scholarships.
As always, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors who make our work in Montgomery County possible. There truly is power in a community such as ours and we are so proud to call this place home.