2012 10 Who Care Awards honorees

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The 10 Who Care Awards recognizes individuals throughout the area performing great public service, but largely without recognition.

Below are the 2012 10 Who Care Awards recipients. They received their awards during a ceremony in Portsmouth on Nov. 15. 

Helen Hart: As a Team Leader for Norfolk Southern Thoroughbred Volunteers, Helen is an integral part of Read Aloud, a program providing monthly literacy awareness to children living in shelters in Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake.

John Fowler: John is a one-man volunteer with the American Youth Soccer Organization. He devotes many hours as a certified coach, referee and field manager and maintains eight soccer fields for close to 500 children in Chesapeake.

Barbara Gonse: For the past five years, Barbara has volunteered several hours a day to help first grade students succeed at Greenbrier Primary School in Chesapeake while maintaining a full-time job in Norfolk.

Joan Davis: As a member of the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, Joan runs rescue duties, teaches for the Virginia Beach EMS and is a certified CPR instructor. She also volunteers as a board member for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation and is president of the Sandbridge Civic League.

Paula Johnson: Paula is a very active participant in her church where she started the first Angel Tree project that has grown from ten families to more than 100. She has provided guidance to women, youth and those who are underprivileged. Paula also mentors youth, helps with their education and has been known to donate not only her time but money to help ensure needy students have what they need to succeed.

Pat McCormick: Pat has served as Volunteer Executive Director for 12+ years at Grove Christian Outreach Center in James City County.  She encourages others by helping to feed, clothe and support members of the community who are in need.

Jeff Stewart: For the past six years, Jeff has volunteered for the Mentoring Young Scientists program at the Virginia Aquarium for over 100 local middle school students interested in science and environmental education. Jeff recently surpassed his 1000 volunteer service hours while working as a full-time teacher at a local high school.  

Mary Russo: Mary’s passion for volunteering led her to form the Virginia Beach Office of Volunteer Resources in 1978. The program continues to offer unpaid opportunities that engage citizens and support city services. Mary currently serves as the only volunteer director within the city of Virginia Beach.

Kenneth Thomas: Kenneth serves as President, Board of Directors for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. He provides leadership for employee safety programs, training and industry expertise in the area of food codes and compliance. Kenneth attends many events, meetings and serves on a variety of committees. He has increased food distribution and created new initiatives that prove his long-term commitment to the Foodbank.

Donyata S. Washington: Donyata realized there was an extreme need of food for children in the Hampton Roads region. By starting the Virginia Kids Eat Free initiative in 2006, over 1.5 million free meals have been served to kids throughout the state of Virginia. Virginia Kids Eat Free supports after school and summer feeding programs that have helped strengthen more than 250 organizations by providing food at no cost.