Page 6A THE BEACON January 2018
DCF 2017 Hearts of Gold Honored
The Dearborn Community Foundation , Inc . ( DCF ) recently honored four community volunteers as 2017 recipients of the “ Heart of Gold Award .”
The Heart of Gold recipients were recognized for touching the hearts of others through their volunteerism and 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 .
Each of the four Heart of Gold honorees was nominated by others in the community and then chosen as Heart of Gold Award recipients by a Foundation committee . They will serve on the “ Heart of Gold Grants Committee ” which awards a total of $ 2,500 in proactive grants to charitable organizations serving Dearborn County residents .
This year ’ s honorees are Liz Day , Ruth Ann Little , Dan Riley , and Julie Saylor .
Dearborn County has not been the same since Elizabeth “ Liz ” Day came to Aurora . Her contributions will have an everlasting effect .
Ms . Day was a founding member of the St . Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in 1992 .
She and the committee raised funds through collection jars and dances and soliciting donations from area churches . Ms . Day served as secretary of St . Vincent de Paul for twenty-four years during which she established the record keeping system which is still used today . Ms . Day ' s love for the area shows in her kindness and concern for others whether it is in the pantry or in the neighborhood . She currently serves at the pantry as a substitute worker . Ms . Day always makes time for the volunteers at the pantry and lends an understanding ear . She is a true inspiration .
With her late husband , Jim , Liz worked with the local Habitat for Humanity organization by keeping track of purchase orders when a house was being built . Organizing the fund raiser “ Ladies Night Out ” was another way Ms . Day helped raise funds for Habitat .
As a member of St . Mary Parish , Liz has worked as a hospital visitor , Eucharistic Minister , and has been on the parish council . She also volunteered at the library . Ms . Day was involved with the Farmers Fair when St . Mary ’ s booth offered chili for hungry fair patrons . Ms . Day ' s work in the community shows that
Dentistry
Drs . Kluener , Rath and McSoley would like to announce Dr . Michael Burns has joined their practice of Dentistry .
Dr . Burns is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he graduated # 1 in his class . Dr . Burns is well trained in all aspects of dentistry . He will have some Saturday hours .
Please call the office for an appointment .
1149 Stone Dr . Harrison , OH 45030 513-367-0113 she truly has a Heart of Gold .
Ruth Ann Little of Bright dislikes taking credit for anything . She ’ s one who quietly works behind the scenes . Chances are Ruth Ann will be very reluctant to accept recognition , but many of us believe she deserves the honor of being a Heart of Gold recipient .
For decades , Mrs . Little has volunteered at Dearborn County Hospital while also pitching in to do whatever she can to help make a Lions , Shriners , or church project a success . She continually helps people in the community who are facing hard times find the resources that they need . Area residents know that Ruth Ann can be counted on to complete tasks with great efficiency and a lot of heart .
Mrs . Little has been active with the Dearborn County Hospital Auxiliary for many years . Previously she was the manager of the gift shop and is currently a cashier at the snack bar . For many years , she has created beautiful silk flower arrangements for the gift shop and has given more than 12,000 hours of service to the Auxiliary and Dearborn County Hospital . Mrs . Little can often be found clearing tables at Shriner ' s steak dinners and serving food at Lions Club pancake breakfasts . She has volunteered at North Dearborn Pantry , St . Teresa Benedicta Church , and the Bright Fire Department Festival .
Mrs . Little ' s willingness to help people in need has long-term effects in special ways . One of those ways is assisting her husband , Art Little , with the extensive and important Bright Lions Club program which provides and
2018 Heart of Gold recipients Dan Riley , Ruth Ann Little , Julie Saylor , and Liz Day .
delivers medical equipment for free to those in need . While Art and his team at the Lions Club do most of the deliveries , Ruth Ann takes the calls and coordinates the literally hundreds of requests that come in continuously . At times she makes deliveries herself if the equipment will fit in her car .
For more than twentyfive years , Mrs . Little has served as township clerk and helped people in need . She persistently negotiated with utility companies and other vendors to help people with their bills , but her dedication went beyond that . She believed that if someone came to the door and needed help , one way or another they would receive it . The word “ no ” does not exist in Mrs . Little ' s vocabulary when it comes to volunteering , and she has done it all her life . She has a true Heart of Gold .
Dan Riley is an asset to the Dearborn County Clearinghouse as volunteer team leader . He keeps the facility neat , clean and organized . He always knows what is in stock and where it is . But Mr . Riley ' s skills and kindness do not stop there . He is always willing to help with incoming shipments or lend an extra hand for a fundraiser . Mr . Riley ' s compassion goes beyond his volunteer work . On more than one occasion , he has helped clients get to job interviews or has delivered food to someone who is hungry .
In Mr . Riley ' s personal life , his humanitarian efforts go beyond the call of duty when he transports neighbors to do errands and to doctor appointments . His compassion knows no bounds . He encourages young men in our community to make something of their life , many of whom have had a rough past . Mr . Riley tries to be a fatherly figure to these young men , encouraging them to believe their future can be bright . His heartfelt selflessness and consideration is an example to us all .
Julie Saylor helps anyone who needs a hand . She works as a Lawrenceburg paramedic and helps her family run Spoiled Acres Animal Rescue . She has even offered to help buy strangers air-conditioners in the heat of summer with her own money . Recently Ms . Saylor started “ Dearborn County Rocks ,” a group who paints rocks and hides them around town for others to find . The positive messages on the rocks are accompanied by beautiful artwork . Ms . Saylor has even asked people to give her names of children so that she could make an individual rock for each child . Ms . Saylor took the project a step further and found out what area the children frequently visit so that they had a better chance of finding their personalized rock .
Tragedy struck Ms . Saylor ' s family last year when her young grandson stopped breathing . Thankfully , Ms . Saylor was home at the time and was able to help resuscitate him . Her grandson has been her inspiration to start “ Dearborn County Rocks .” which now has almost 5,000 members from all over the country . Rocks made in Lawrenceburg have been found in other states like Tennessee and Florida . Between “ Rocks ,” the animal rescue , working as a paramedic , and always giving a hand up and not a handout , Julie has a heart of gold .
God ’ s Gift to Us - Jesus
Christmas is a time for giving and sharing , just as God has done for us with His Son , Jesus . May your giving and sharing be abundant and your blessings be twofold .
At Mansfield Insurance Agency , we have been blessed with loyal clients . Thank you !
From all of us to all of you , Merry Christmas ! Diane , Lisa , Judy , Tricia and Jim
MANSFIELD INSURANCE AGENCY , INC .
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