Heart of Gold Honorees
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Fred McCarter (812) 539-4115
For Immediate Release
FOUNDATION HONORS FIVE VOLUNTEERS FOR HAVING ‘HEARTS OF GOLD’
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., November 20, 2008 – The Dearborn Community Foundation recently honored five community volunteers for having “Hearts of Gold” at a reception at the Dearborn Adult Center in Lawrenceburg.
The Heart of Gold recipients were recognized for touching the hearts of others through their volunteerism and other acts of kindness. “These honorees deserve this recognition for making a difference in our community in their own unique ways,” said Fred McCarter, Executive Director of the Dearborn Community Foundation. “They are all role models for how all of us can make a difference in our community.”
During the Heart of Gold reception, each of the five honorees, nominated by others in the community and then chosen as Heart of Gold recipients by a Foundation committee, received the coveted Heart of Gold medallion. The honorees also will serve on the Heart of Gold Committee to award proactive grants to non-profit organizations that serve Dearborn County residents.
In recent years, Heart of Gold recipients have been recognized for helping senior citizens or disadvantaged persons, working to improve the quality of education, expanding recreational or cultural opportunities, working with children, protecting the environment, promoting public safety and other acts of kindness.
This year’s honorees are: Beatrice “Bessy” Caseltine Hensen, Brenda Osman, George Feustel, the Rev. Arnold Cutter, and Patty Taggart.
Heart of Gold Honorees’ Stories
Beatrice “Bessy” Caseltine Hensen of Lawrenceburg: On a daily basis she gives of her free time, energy and compassion to everyone. She is a graduate of the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Caseltine Hensen goes above and beyond in her volunteerism, which includes advocacy work, cleaning her church and serving on Special Olympics’ committees. Recently, she planned a volunteer trip to Nashville, Indiana, for several folks with cognitive disabilities. She even purchased food and supplies for the trip, which was an excellent few days of camping, hiking and just hanging out. Casletine Hensen also is now mentoring a special individual, whom she has know for a long time and is giving home and life lessons. According to Laura Hoffman, who nominated her for this honor, the honoree is an “awesome lady, who has helped many other people at the same time she has raised a son, Joey, now 20 years old, who has Down’s Syndrome, along with raising her daughter, Heather. Caseltine Hensen believes that all things are possible; that everyone deserves a place in the community; that it takes a community to raise a child; that all people deserve a place in work and life; and that there is a place for everyone’s involvement in all types of activities. She is a person who finds a way to help others in need.
Brenda Osman of Jackson Township: She is a teacher at East Central High School who goes above and beyond her paid duties as an educator to mold youngsters into caring community volunteers and into our future leaders. She is a dedicated, hard-working teacher, but that doesn’t stop in the classroom. As a Family and Consumer Science teacher, Osman also is the sponsor of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter at East Central. Through FCCLA, she has involved students in making a difference in Dearborn County. The projects completed with Osman’s leadership are too long to list, according to Guidance Director Jacqueline Blair, who nominated this honoree. Here’s a brief listing of projects:
· A Snowflake Dance for Special Olympics
· Hosted Trojan Sibling Night where 50 children learned to eat right, be fit and make healthy choices
· Collected $1,000 for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Light the Night Walk
· Raised $500 for childhood cancer through St. Baldrick’s
· Raised $100 for breast cancer awareness
· Raised awareness about bullying among elementary students
· Raised money and collected food and supplies for Safe Passage
· Collected food for the North Dearborn Pantry
· Made homemade dog treats to raise money for PAWS
· Visited the elderly at North Dearborn Village, held a Fall Formal there, and decorated their Christmas tree
· Made over 50 caps for children with cancer.
· Raked leaves for the elderly
· Held a Troops Drive to collect items for out local soldiers
George Feustel of Aurora: He contributes more than 200 volunteer hours each year to help make the Aurora Farmers Fair the success it is. Feustel is an Aurora Lions Club member, who has served as the Fair’s chairman for the last 18 years. As entertainment director for the fair, he also spends countless hours negotiating with artists and their agents. He’s become a pro at writing contracts. Kenny Jackson, who nominated Feustel, says the honoree works hard to provide good wholesome entertainment for the residents of Dearborn County. He’s also involved in many other Lions Club projects each year.
The Rev. Arnold Cutter of Dillsboro: He is a “full time-anytime volunteer,” according to Dellas Ross who nominated him. Cutter is there whenever others have a need. His volunteerism covers several areas of concern. He is a pie, bread and cake baker. Cutter volunteers for the Dillsboro Civic Club to help with the organization’s auction sales. He not only volunteers, but provides pies and cakes for many organizations. He gathers and delivers items for the Mission at Allensville. Most importantly, when you call him to volunteer, his answer is always: “I’ll be there!” When you call him to volunteer, his answer is always, “I’ll be there.” In addition to helping others as a volunteer, this Heart of Gold recipient also serves as Pastor of Fairview United Methodist Church.
Patty Taggart of Hidden Valley Lake: Whether it is the staff at Lawrenceburg High School or homeless animals, she is willing to give of her heart in so many unselfish ways. Taggart has been a volunteer at Lawrenceburg High School for nine years since retiring after a 30-year career as an administrator at Dearborn County Hospital. She became a volunteer to give back to the community that’s been so good to her, according to Judy Reese, who nominated this honoree. Taggart is especially passionate about education and her role as a volunteer at LHS helps her fulfill her wish to contribute. She reports to the high school main office two days a week and performs a variety of jobs from clerical and office duties to assisting teachers and interacting with students and parents. Taggart often volunteers an extra day when she sees office staff facing an “overload.” Another perk of having her around is that she even makes popcorn for the school staff every Wednesday. She has dedicated her life to raising her children, appreciating her fellow human beings, advocating tirelessly for animal rights, and giving back to others. Taggart realizes that one’s community is only as good and strong as its people. She generously gives of her own goodness and strength for the betterment of the community. She has not faltered in her dedication to Lawrenceburg High School. Even after health setbacks and the tragic loss of her beautiful daughter, Becky, she has returned to us. Taggart is a true example of strength, humility and benevolence. She is an inspiration to others and a pure ray of sunshine to us at LHS, said Reese.
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