Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso, Indiana

Bill George, Volunteer of the Year, receives congratulations from Roger Luekens, Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation Chair

Bill George was surprised at being named Volunteer of Year in the Kiwanis 12^th Annual Greater Valparaiso Volunteer of the Year Award Recognition Luncheon held at Strongbow Inn on May 29, 2013. “It was an honor just to be nominated for this award,” said George, “but this is . . . unbelievable.” Mr. George was nominated by the Family & Youth Services Bureau for his work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or ‘CASA’ volunteer. He has been an advocate for children who have been deemed to be abused and/or neglected by the children’s birth families, work that he has been doing since 2008. His main task is to look out for the best interests of each child. In the last four years, Mr. George has represented 26 children, volunteered over 900 hours, and driven over 1800 miles for children that need him the most.

The Greater Valparaiso Volunteer of the Year Recognition Program is sponsored annually by the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation in order to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism, recognize outstanding volunteers in the Greater Valparaiso area, and encourage increased volunteerism. Mr. George’s name was submitted by Family & Youth Services Bureau in March along with a record number (14) of names from non-profit agencies within the Greater Valparaiso area. All nominees received a recognition plaque at the luncheon with the winner receiving a $500 for the nominating non-profit agency. This year, the program included congratulatory remarks from United Way Volunteer Center Director Kathy Wojkovich and a letter of congratulations to each nominee from Jon Costas, Mayor of Valparaiso.

“We are so excited that Bill won this award,” said Jackie Gray of Family & Youth Services Bureau. “So often our volunteers do not get the recognition they deserve because most of their work is confidential and difficult to discuss. Bill is certainly a worthy recipient because of what he has done for so many children. The Kiwanis Volunteer of the Year Program has helped us say thank you to a truly deserving man.”

Volunteer of the Year Nominees: Front L-R – Margy Boyce (Caring Place); Sue Brown-Nickerson (Calumet Region Striders); Sue Joys (Altrusa International); Delores Eagan (Immanuel Food Pantry); Darlene Perry (Housing Opportunities); Susan Brychell (Valpo YMCA); SanDee Adams (Union Twp. Middle School); Back – Debra Samahon (Opportunity Enterprises); Bill George (Family & Youth Services Bureau); Tom Brown (Immanuel Lutheran Church); Perry Riffel (NWI Lutheran Hispanic Mission); Bill Steinbrecher (Hilltop Neighborhood House); Stan Schorum (Valpo Adult Learning Center); Joe Baker (Porter Co. Career & Tech Center)

Due to changes with several major sponsors, as well as skyrocketing insurance rates, the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club is unfortunately no longer able to present BALLOONFEST. 

We apologize and want to thank all of our loyal supporters over the past 20 years.

Two programs were introduced at the June 20, 2012 Kiwanis meeting by Bob Nuss from Energizing Indiana that can benefit everyone as individuals, citizens, and benefit the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation.

Program #1:  The first of these program is the AC Cycling Program.  By signing up for this program, NIPSCO will install a control switch on your air conditioning compressor or heat pump.  This allows NIPSCO to cycle your AC unit by turning it off for a short periods of 15-45 minutes when demand is very high.  This allows NIPSCO to manage high demand peaks, which result in the need to have more electric generating capacity just for very high demands.  You can try this program and have the switch removed if you so desire.  When you sign up for this program, you benefit by having your NIPSCO bill reduced by $10/month for June, July, August, and September each year you participate in the AC Cycling Program.  NIPSCO and the environment benefit by reducing the need to build more power plants and use more resources.  Our Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation benefits by receiving $25 for every home owner whom we encourage to sign up through the URL listed below.  Win-Win-Win!!!

Program #2:  The second program is the Home Energy Assessment program.  By signing up for this program, your home will receive an energy assessment by a qualified energy advisor.  The advisor will come to your home at a mutually agreeable time and spend about 1.5 hours looking at your home’s energy usage.  Advisors will  assess the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems in your home to determine if they are operating efficiently.  They may inspect your home’s air duct sealing, insulation, and heating/cooling efficiency.  The visit may include the replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs with efficient CFLs (limit 9), installing low-flow faucet aerators (limit 3), and/or installing low-flow shower heads (limit 2) at no cost to you.  Once your home’s energy assessment is complete, you will receive a comprehensive report detailing what can be done further to start saving energy and money to make your home more comfortable.  You benefit by making your home more comfortable and efficient.  We all benefit by reducing the demand for more electricity.  Our Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation benefits by receiving $25 for every home owner who we encourage to sign up through the URL listed below.  Win-Win-Win!!!

Sign up for one program or both programs at:

https://energizingindiana.com/nipsco-valpokiwanis/

At the Kiwanis meeting members signed up for the programs to raise $625 for the Foundation.

This project can be a significant benefit to the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation if we get a substantial number of people participating.

This is not just for Kiwanis members anyone who signs up can help reduce energy consumption and support the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation.

The Foundation involvement in this program is scheduled to terminate on December 11, 2012.

Download the attached file for more information.

Kiwanis Foundation/Energizing Indiana Flyer

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation named Robert Mundell of Valparaiso as its 2012 Volunteer of the Year during a luncheon at Strongbow Inn on Wednesday, May 30.  Mundell was the successful candidate chosen from a pool of candidates nominated by 13 not-for-profit agencies in the Greater Valparaiso area.  He was nominated by American Legion Post #94 Commander Donald Davis.

Bob Mundell volunteers to coordinate the color guards for the funerals of U.S. veterans in Valparaiso.  He has commanded the funeral color guard for the past 7 years.  His duties consume approximately 500 hours per year.  “There is no question that Bob will complete his duties.  He never denies a veteran this honor,” said Commander Davis.  “Bob truly believes that every deceased veteran should be properly recognized for his or her military service.”  Ironically, the few days following Memorial Day was one of the few occasions when Mundell is able to get away from his color guard duties.  Therefore, he was represented at the May 30 recognition luncheon by fellow American Legion member Jim Atkinson.  Speaking in place of Mundell at the recognition luncheon, Atkinson said, “You have truly selected a man (Bob Mundell) committed to his volunteer work.  He is an outstanding example for me and for all of us.”

The purposes of the Kiwanis Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award program are to recognize outstanding volunteers in the Greater Valparaiso area, to encourage increased volunteerism within the community, and to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Valparaiso.  Any Valparaiso area community based not-for-profit organization may nominate one person each year for this award.  Agencies in Greater Valparaiso interested in making nominations in the future may contact Foundation President Roger Luekens, 464-4184.

Robert Mundell, 2012 Valparaiso Kiwanis Foundation Volunteer of the Year, nominated by American Legion Post # 94

2012 Volunteer of the Year Award nominees (and nominating agencies) – Seated L to R: Mary Liggett (Opportunity Enterprises), Joyce Schleicher (Immanuel Food Pantry), Kristin Morrisson (Valpo Community Festival & Events), Maria Escot (NWI Lutheran Hispanic Mission Society), Nancy Thiel (Alzheimer’s Association), Beth Perry (Supporters of Military); Standing L to R: Jeff Liggett (Opportunity Enterprises), Roger Weitgenant (Hilltop Neighborhood House), Tom Newton (Valpo Family YMCA), Jim Atkinson representing Robert Mundell (American Legion Post #94), Craig Meinbresse (Taltree Arboretum & Gardens), Jeffry Van Syoc (City of Valparaiso), Jan Dick (Porter County Career & Tech Center); Missing from the photo: Robert Mundell (American Legion Post #94) and Jim & Oleta Chester (Housing Opportunities)

For additional information, contact the following:
Roger Luekens, President of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club Foundation 219-464-4184
Robert Mundell, 2012 Volunteer of the Year in Greater Valparaiso 219-477-5483
Mark Conners, Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso President 219-462-2665