United Way Names Janice Kay, Haskell Counts & Saint John’s Health System 2011 Volunteer, RSVP Volunteer and Business of the Year

Janice Kay was announced as United Way of Madison County’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year at its annual meeting March 9 at The Edgewood Golf & Dining. This annual award recognizes the achievements of outstanding volunteers that have contributed time, talent and financial support to the community. Haskell Counts of Anderson was named RSVP Volunteer of the Year and Saint John’s Health System was named Business of the Year.

Janice is the Elwood Community Schools Director of Special Services, responsible for Special Education, Title I, Migrant Education and most other federal programs. Janice joined United Way of Madison County’s board in 2005 and serves as the Early Childhood Vision Council and Community Impact Committee Chairperson. She has also participated on the United Way Strategic Impact Committee and Transformation Task Force and has been the employee campaign coordinator for Elwood Schools for the past six years! 

In addition to her work with United Way, Janice has been a tireless advocate for early childhood education and for children with special needs volunteering her time to the Madison County Step Ahead Council and First Steps Council, serving as Elwood’s district representative to C.A.P.E., and she adds most recently to her long list of volunteer service- recent graduate of Madison County Leadership Academy and chair of the Early Education Subcommittee of the Madison County Education Coalition.

Elwood Community Schools Superintendent and colleague Glen Nelson states, “It has been an honor to work along side a lady who has dedicated so much time and effort promoting the welfare and literacy of our communities’ young people.  I’ve watched her over this past year carrying out the various duties of her position- she doesn’t understand the concept of saying no to a request for taking on another task.  Where she finds the energy to keep up the pace is beyond me, but somehow I’m glad and proud that she has continued to give in so many ways for so many years.” 

United Way has been presenting the Volunteer of the Year award since 1985.   In addition to Kaye, other past recipients include: Norma Schlossberg (1985), Frances Snell (1986), George Satterwhite (1987), Russell Johnson (1988), Robert Austin (1989), Sandy Volk (1990), David Bucove (1991), Tom McMahan (1992), Joe Cook (1993), George Graves (1994), Howard Myers (1995), Joyce Gaskill (1996), Dick Vannatta (1997), Rich  DeHaven (1998), Jim & Marilyn Ault (1999), Duane Hoak (2000), Keith Pitcher (2001), John May (2002), Jeff Jenness (2003), Matilda Barber (2004), Tom &  Bobbette Snyder (2005), Bob Schuler (2006), Keith Trent (2007), Dick May (2008), Don Apple (2009), and Michelle Cook (2010).

Haskell Counts of Anderson was awarded RSVP Volunteer of the Year. This is the first RSVP volunteer recognition awarded by United Way of Madison County since granted the program in January 2010. Judy Lippman of Saint John’s said, “Haskell will celebrate 20 years of service as a volunteer for Saint John’s this year and he has given 5484 hours of service to us.  He is a wonderful person who truly exemplifies our mission.  He is so very kind and helpful to our customers.  The associates in the department where he volunteers love him.”

President Nancy Vaughan said, “Saint John’s Health System is a true community partner in all sense of the word. They go above and beyond in their support of United Way and the community and truly demonstrate what it means to LIVE UNITED. We are pleased to recognize Saint John’s Health System as our 2011 Business of the year.”

Lead by President, Tom VanOsdol, Saint John’s Health System employees have consistently lead Madison County’s workplace division for years contributing $840,000 to United Way of Madison County in the last ten years. Their employees have volunteered countless hours in our community and to United Way serving on individual and corporate gifts campaign committees, community impact and engagement committees and other strategic initiative committees. They have also sent teams of employees to weatherize homes every fall during our annual Operation Weatherization event and have provided leadership to our board and campaign over the years. Saint John’s Health System has provided financial support to Madison County Covering Kids and Families, our health initiative and has provided housing for a year to our two AmeriCorp VISTAS.

Saint John’s was given special recognition at the 2011 United Ways and Funds State Leaders Conference on March 11 at the Hilton Indianapolis North Hotel.  

United Way has been presenting the Business of the Year award since 2009.  In addition to Saint John’s Health System, other past recipients include The Herald Bulletin (2009) and Hoosier Park Racing Casino (2010).

Other volunteer recognition activities during the meeting included acknowledgment of retiring board members Rich DeHaven, Mike Harris, Duane Hoak, and Sandy Volk.