BBQ, live blue grass, and King of Pops: Recapping our Volunteer Appreciation Party

“You have to give back. You have to try to do some good. Forget about your own circumstances and get involved in the circumstances of others. Continue to go for it. Continue to follow your heart and passion. Follow your compass. Do what you can with others to create a community that is not just local or national, but is a world community at peace with itself.”

MedShare CEO Meridith Rentz shared this quote from Congressman John Lewis at our Volunteer Appreciation Party last night. We celebrated our fantastic volunteers with delicious food and popsicles, bocce ball and badminton, and live music. Presidential Volunteer Service Awards were given to stand-out advocates – Some with as many as 1,600 hours of service!  Our volunteers play such an integral role in fulfilling our mission, and we were thrilled to honor them last night! Thank you for all that you do for MedShare and our beneficiaries!

Here is a list of our Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipients at the three respective levels:

Bronze – 100 to 249 hours

Joanne Bauer 243
Tom Jacobs 243
Tish Wallace 228
Marc Girardot 218
Miatta Pemagbi 204
Joyce Russell 198
Judy Louie 191
Carol Garrett 189
Eleanor Washburn 189
Jack Nolen 176
Jim Gole 160
George Welch 200
Robin Chalmers 126
Pat Welch 216
Ray Lewis 216
Mary Lewis 216
Bill Via 216
Sharon Via 216
Brian Hendricks 107

Silver- 250 to 499 hours

Diane Keltz 480
Peggy Healy 456
Paul Bangura 352
Pat Russell 359
Carla Schissel 317
John Lamb 304
Pamela Cheesebrough 357
Marian Burge 360
Bill Van Hout 342
Julie Van Hout 342

Gold – 500 hours or more

Pat Horvath 1215
Jane Gole 909
Beth Caldwell 956
Jack Horvath 1210
Brenda Rhames 1609
Rona Gilchrist 693
Janice Yermack 679

E­ver wonder what it’s like to be a MedShare employee? Newly hired PR + Marketing Manager, Hannah Mae Miners, reflects on her first week on the job.

“Hannah, that’s an endotracheal tube! It goes in the respiratory barrel, instead of the drainage barrel.” Day three on the job, and our devoted team of “Wednesday regulars” was already giving me a run for my money. It was my orientation session with MedShare’s volunteer sorters, and this would prove to be one of many moments during my first week that I was astonished by the tenacity and dedication of MedShare’s volunteers, supporters, and staff. I was quickly realizing that I had become a part of something big; something that influences the lives of many.

Though I’ve only been here a short time, the enthusiasm and dedication of this small group of individuals is both contagious and awe-inspiring. This diverse, unique, and creative team goes above and beyond to fulfill MedShare’s mission, and to deliver the absolute best care to our worthy recipients. I’m proud to be part of a team that is unyielding in their efforts to globally serve others, and the people who need quality care in the developing world remain at the core of everything we do.

The world needs more of what MedShare has to offer and we are excited about building a global network of sharing. In addition to the new design of our blog, I will soon be sharing with you the amazing experience, talent, and passion that members of the MedShare team bring to our organization. Please check back with us and keep an eye out for our new “Team Member Spotlight” blog post each month to learn more about the volunteers, supporters, and staff that embody the MedShare spirit.

At MedShare, we are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work with our heads and our hearts, and I already feel deeply connected to this cause. I am honored to be a part of the MedShare team, and look forward to continuing to partner with the community to improve global healthcare, support more communities, and save more lives.

In service,

Hannah Mae

hminers@medshare.org

 

 

Recap of our World Malaria Day art auction

MedShare’s Tony Blair Faith Foundation Fellows, Clint Fluker and Sana Rahim, hosted an art auction at Georgia Tech on World Malaria Day, April 25^th, to raise funds for a shipment of needed medical supplies to Sierra Leone. Clint and Sana’s profound passion to end malaria was  evident throughout the night. Twenty-nine local artists donated pieces to the event, many of which were created using discarded medical supplies. Some of the event’s highlights included performances by African drummers, Cameroonian dancers and MedShare’s own Eben Amstrong, who serves as a biomedical engineer by day and a well-known singer and dancer by night.  The event also included a gorgeous presentation of unique art work and a competitive live auction. The evening’s guests included representatives from the Sierra Leone Tegloma Association, Friends of Sierra Leone, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, Azizah Magazine, Islamic Speakers Bureau, Glenn Institute at Westminster, Morehouse College, and the International King’s Chapel. Professional NFLer Gibril Wilson, a native of Sierra Leone and current Safety with Cincinnati Bengals, also made a guest appearance! The art auction was a huge success, with over 250 guests and over $4,000 raised for malaria prevention in Sierra Leone.

MedShare Celebrates its Volunteers!

On Wednesday, April 25th, MedShare’s Western Region hosted our volunteers for a celebration to recognize the gift that they are to our organization. Our 4^th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was attended by more than 60 people. Special thanks to Terry Monday and Gabby Brandt, who manage our award-winning volunteer program, for creating such a wonderful island-themed party filled with games and recognition of our dedicated volunteers!

Special recognition goes to the following Presidential Award Winners for their dedicated service. (To earn the Gold you must volunteer over 500 hours/yr, for the Silver 250 hours/yr, and for the Bronze 100 hours per year).

John	Morton	Gold
Marsha	Felton	Gold
Susan	Dyer	Silver
JoAnna	Hansen-Morton	Silver
Joe	Margevicius	Silver
Camille	Didas	Silver
Nassim	Nouri	Silver
Virginia	Godkin	Bronze
Myron	Zhang	Bronze
Lynn	Moreau	Bronze
Arleen	Sakamoto	Bronze
Paul	Litsky	Bronze
Susie	Plumb	Bronze
Naty	Duenas	Bronze
Carol	Fullerton	Bronze
Sue	Naset	Bronze
Ted	Almida	Bronze
Alana	Musante	Bronze
Karen	Nelson	Bronze
Eve	Stone-Trimble	Bronze
Rissa	Coplan	Bronze
Cathryn	Jew	Bronze
Karen	Rice	Bronze
Mary Lou	Groff	Bronze