Many Volunteers Are Honored During Annual Community Awards Reception

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   “People doing things that they don’t have to,” was the way seven-year-old Troy Hill described being a volunteer.
   On Friday, Feb. 22, the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce honored several individuals and organizations who spend their time, money and skills doing many things they don’t have to in order to make Holbrook a better place to live.
   Receiving top honors were JoLynn Fox, Joy Nevin Lifetime Service Award; First Step Workshop, Bob Arnold Humanitarian Award; Fern Larson, Jay Abbey Friend to Holbrook Award; Ed Gonzales, Man of the Year; Joni Gillespie, Woman of the Year; Holbrook High School Key Club, Flint Youth Organization Award; Colton Faust, Flint Youth Award; Northland Pioneer College, Public Entity of the Year; Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse, Organization of the Year; and Holbrook Tribune-News, Business of the Year.
   The other nominees included Joel Ruechel and David Velk, Man of the Year; Michelle Gioglio, Caro-lyn Gonzales, Carey Kester and Rita Garcia, Woman of the Year; Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Organization of the Year; and Walt’s Hardware, Business of the Year.
   The nomination letters for Joni Gillespie and Ed Gonzales were reprinted in the Feb. 27 edition of the Tribune-News. The remaining nominations for those honored follow.
JoLynn Fox
2007 Joy Nevin
Lifetime Service Award Winner
   JoLynn Fox has lived in Holbrook for more than 30 years, and in that time has worked to benefit the town and its people in so many, many ways.
   While serving on the Navajo County Fair Commission, JoLynn took on the task of promoting the county fair. Her talents caught the attention of the Holbrook Tribune-News Publisher Paul Barger, and she began to cover the fair and many other areas for the newspaper.
   During her 29-year career as a reporter and photographer for the Tribune-News, JoLynn covered the city, the county, area school districts and industries, the Chamber of Commerce and the Bread of Life Mis-sion.
   Whatever she covered, she took to her heart, and if there was something she could do to assist, she did it. She was an organizer of the annual community charity fund-raiser for many years, then she coordinated the Old West Celebration, and she has helped with literally every other chamber event. She has decorated nearly every hall in town, baked for countless events, and written or designed the programs for many of them, including the annual community awards. She has also donated many of her photographs to the Na-vajo County Historical Society.
   When the Navajo County Fair celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, she took it upon herself to re-search and write a history of the fair. When she began covering the meetings of the Bread of Life Mission, she found the board wanted a newsletter, and she has filled that need ever since.
   JoLynn is also a kind and caring friend. She always offers a listening ear and has a knack for brighten-ing your day just when you need it most. She does anything she can to aid those in need, and prefers that no one know of or note her good deeds.
   JoLynn has dedicated her life to helping Holbrook and its residents in her own quiet way.
First Step Workshop
2007 Bob Arnold
Humanitarian Award Winner
   Our community is fortunate to have the First Step Workshop. Without this group there would be a hole in our community, an empty place difficult to fill as the staff of the First Step has consistently done, for their clients and our community.
   Their nomination was only difficult in deciding under which category they best fit, serving both public works, being a non-profit organization as well as a business. Their contribution to our community is diffi-cult to measure adequately for the improvement in individuals’ quality of life, sense of self-purpose and value, and their ability to contribute and enhance the community around them.
   We can only hope that their wonderful outlooks on life, good cheer, determination and sense of self-worth and pride for self and community are contagious. Thank you so much for all you do.
Fern Larson
2007 Jay Abbey Friend to Holbrook Award Winner
   Fern Larson has a long and varied history with the City of Holbrook. She came to work as the recep-tionist in the front office in the early 1970s. She worked her way through the account departments of the city to administration and was appointed city clerk in 1996.
   Fern retired as city manager in November 2004, but was convinced to return as a part-time accountant specialist in January 2006. When the city found itself without a city manager in October of 2007, she agreed to serve as interim manager until a replacement is hired. Fern has been known for her institutional memory and is seen as a mainstay of the city. It has been told that she has a tattoo on her behind that says “Property of the City of Holbrook.”
   In the past, Fern has coached AYSO Soccer and Odyssey of the Mind. Fern has played surrogate parent, nursemaid, taxi cab driver and therapist for her family and friends. Fern tirelessly cared for both of her par-ents when they were unable to care for themselves.
   Fern grew up in Holbrook, graduated from Holbrook High School and returned to make her home here after furthering her education. She has been married to Ken Larson for 27 years. The couple has two chil-dren, Lori Romo and Christyl Buckles. Fern’s greatest delights are her six grandchildren.
   The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce thanks Fern for using her expertise to help make Holbrook a bet-ter place to live, work and do business.
Holbrook High School Key Club 2007 Flint Youth Organization
Award Winner
   The year 2007 was a fantastic, very accomplished year for the Holbrook High School Key Club. They not only served at Holbrook High School, but also their community. The two presidents, Page Page and Alix Ruechel, have done a wonderful job of leading and motivating the members to participate and support each endeavor.
   These members are in pursuit of becoming excellent community leaders in their own right and their adult years. Some of their accomplishments include:
   * Serving food at the Sheriff’s Posse riders’ dinner.
   * Helping at Holbrook Goes Bonkers event.
   * Three officers attended the Kiwanis leadership camp in New Mexico.
   * Helping with freshmen orientation.
   * Putting on a golf tournament.
   * Raising enough money for eight surgeries for Operation Smile and to dig a well in Africa in a very needy area.
   * Putting on children’s games at Old West Days.
   * Helping with the Navajo County Fair, with the Lions Club.
   * Helping with the Holbrook cross country meet.
   * Working with the Kiwanis and their activities.
   * Providing lunch for the Pat Kenney wrestling tournament.
   * Preparing and enjoying the First Step Christmas party dinner.
   * Making food baskets for needy families at Christmas.
   Participating in Holbrook High School Key Club opens their minds to public and humanitarian needs of society. I applaud the HHS Key Club. I am honored to nominate this awesome and caring youth organiza-tion!
Colton Faust
2007 Flint Youth Award Winner
   Community service has been the focus of Colton throughout his high school career. During 2007, Colton has been actively involved in a variety of volunteer activities that have benefited the Holbrook community.
   Colton has been actively involved in three distributions of books to all Holbrook students in grades K-5 through the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.
   The Friends of the Library program is a favored activity. In September, Colton provided many volun-teer hours with the book fair sponsored by the library. In October, he assisted with the setup of the Medie-val Fantasy Festival and performed during the day in appropriate attire.
   As a member of the Holbrook High School National Honor Society, Colton assisted with the Christmas decorations at our historic courthouse on that cold, blustery day in early December.
   He has volunteered and assisted with a multitude of events that have benefited our school and our community. I will add that Colton has, without wanting or needing acknowledgment or accolades, touched the lives of so many through his volunteerism. This young man gives so much of himself where the only rewards are within his own personal gratification and knowledge that he is making a difference. Too many currently expect concrete rewards and awards, but not Colton. He knows he makes a difference and does not need an outside source to reiterate the significance of his volunteerism.
   Colton’s enthusiasm for the academics and for community involvement is unsurpassed. He will create, initiate and complete the task. This is followed by an evaluation of the process. Needless to say, Colton is thorough in all he does.
Northland Pioneer College
2007 Public Entity of the Year
   The administration, faculty and staff of Northland Pioneer College (NPC) met unusual and challenging periods during 2007 with outstanding dignity and professionalism.
   NPC is a public entity that we each need to pause and note its value and contribution to our community and renew our support of its service.
   NPC maintains four main campuses and six learning centers in Navajo and Apache counties, with ad-ministrative offices in Holbrook, the county seat. It is an accredited community college with approximately 12,000 total students annually, offering a wide range of courses and programs.
   NPC’s mission is to create, support and promote lifelong learning.
   The college’s vision is “Strong Minds, Strong Communities.”
   NPC creates a learner-centered environment, responds to community needs, provides effective and re-sponsive service to NPC constituencies, and fosters professional growth and collegial collaboration.
   NPC, like other entities in 2008, will be facing new challenges to maintain the level of services and continue growth to further serve its communities of citizens. These challenges are noted in recent NPC news releases.
   We as a community can recognize NPC as a quality institution that makes a difference in many lives, our communities and counties. NPC’s student roster and their achievements are numerous and reflect the quality higher education that is available in our community. NPC is an outstanding public entity of the year in 2007.
Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse
2007 Organization of the Year
   Members of the Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse bring many things to Holbrook, including worldwide atten-tion, excitement during a dreary time of the year, smiles to the faces of the people they greet, a chance to step back in time, an appreciation for our wild west history and, perhaps most importantly, a volunteer search and rescue group to help save those who are lost.
   What were some of their activities in 2007?
   * In January 2007, they delivered approximately 1,300 mailers to children from Joseph City and Hol-brook school districts. In addition, they delivered mailers to Holbrook Head Start and Rainbow Foundation School for the Handicapped in preparation for the 49th ride.
   * Hashknife Pony Express Ride in January 2007 and delivered over 25,000 pieces of mail to the Scottsdale Post Office.
   * They participated in the Parada del Sol in February, Scottsdale Rodeo in March, Cave Creek Parade in April, Payson Spring Rodeo Parade in May, the 4th of July Parade in Prescott, Payson Rodeo Parade in August, Holbrook Parade of Lights in December and the Fiesta Bowl Parade in 2008.
   * Coconino County search for a missing German professor at the Grand Canyon.
   * Hashknife Horse Camp in July, which is a fun weekend for kids riding horses, games, family outings for three to four days and programs for kids.
   * Old West Days Hashknife Stampede Softball Tournament in August.
   * Navajo County Fair and Rodeo in September.
   * Color Guard NASCAR truck race in Phoenix on Nov. 9, 2007.
   * Worked closely with the Scottsdale Arts and Scottsdale City Council in preparation of the unveiling of the statue by Herb Mignery for the 50th pony express ride.
   * Worked closely with the Super Bowl Committee in regards to the Super Bowl Tailgate Party as one of the headliners involved with Super Bowl XLII.
   Posse members spend much of their own money and countless hours of their personal time to bring these events to Holbrook and other areas of our state. Our city is fortunate to have these individuals who give up their own comforts to help others, bring joy to many and make Holbrook a great place to live.
Holbrook Tribune-News
2007 Business of the Year
   The Holbrook Tribune-News continues to be an asset to our community. Facing the daily difficulty in reporting on our community and the news affecting it, both good and bad, while continuing to strive to re-port fairly and unbiased, the Holbrook Tribune-News does so unwaveringly, while weathering the opinions generated by the news within.
   Too often the bearer of the news becomes the only clear outlet to comment on the contents. We are for-tunate that our local paper makes every effort to report the facts as can be confirmed and willing to report on items that affect our community despite being the bearer, not the generator, of the news.
   Thank you for your ongoing vigil of the news and support of our community.
Joel Ruechel
Nominee for Man of the Year
   Joel goes above and beyond in everything he does. Although his work as a prosecutor is tough, he works long, hard hours to make sure that justice is served, even when it means setting side his personal feelings about a case.
   Beyond his hard work to improve our justice system, Joel works hard to help local youth. He volunteers with his church AWANA program, teaches Sunday School, helps out the Girl Scouts, coaches soccer, vol-unteers at the schools and worked at the Navajo County Fair selling tickets and cleaning up.
   He spends his “spare” time chaperoning dances and teaching classes at Holbrook High School and Hol-brook Junior High School.
   Joel also visits with youngsters and their parents any time they are having a hard time or need a helping hand. Joel never says no to anyone who truly needs his help.
   Holbrook couldn’t ask for a better citizen, or a greater role model for our youngsters.
David Velk
Nominee for Man of the Year
   Dave has been actively involved in many areas to benefit the community of Holbrook. He has been a tireless volunteer with the Friends of the Holbrook Library. He was a super big help with the Renaissance Fair by planning, advertising, gathering supplies, setting up, taking down, cleaning up, helping with the paperwork, donating many items to the fair itself, then setting up a booth to help make it successful.
   He also worked on the art auction in almost too many ways to mention. He worked tirelessly to get do-nations, set up, donated several pieces of his own collection, as well as some of his own photography. When items were donated without frames, he saw that they were framed at no cost to the auction. At the book sale, he sorted, priced and helped sell both days. Then after it was all over he helped load and store the books.
   As a person who loves animals, he has helped rescue and place over 50 kittens, cats and dogs that were either abandoned or wild in our community. He has spent many hours of cleaning, feeding, trips to the vet, giving medications to uncooperative patients, taking pictures and listing these animals on a Web site, and then delivering them sometimes hundreds of miles to their new home. He also helps pay vet bills for spay, neuter, litter, pet care items, food, medication and treatment bills.
   He belongs to many organizations that save and help animals. What spare money he has, he supports them and their mission to help our four-legged friends.
   He has been made aware of families in need, sells items on eBay and then anonymously donates the money to the family. He selects four Christmas angels each year for the Salvation Army. A note on this would be that he chooses teenage children’s wishes because he believes most people do the little children and the older ones are sometimes forgotten. This is the kind of person Dave is.
   He makes sweet treats for his neighbors and co-workers just to spread goodwill in the community. He believes in giving back to the community and hopes to do more in the future. This is a man who deserves Man of the Year!
Michelle Gioglio
Nominee for Woman of the Year
   Michelle is always helping someone, although if you ask her she humbly claims that she doesn’t do much.
   Not only is she president of the Friends of the Holbrook Public Library, she is also vice president of the PTSA and spends many of her lunch hours tutoring children in reading at Hulet School.
   Between raising funds to build a better future for the library, organizing activities for the PTSA and teaching kids to read, she shows up to help out at just about every grade school event, committing countless hours and lots of enthusiastic energy to make a positive difference for Holbrook’s next generation.
Carolyn Gonzales
Nominee for Woman of the Year
   Carolyn served as the chairperson of the Holbrook Enriching Lives Partnership (HELP) during 2007, a year in which the coalition played a leading role in the creation of the Spencer Karol Memorial Skatepark in Holbrook. Carolyn served on the skatepark subcommittee since its inception six years ago, and provided valuable vision and encouragement.
   Carolyn also served on the Spooktacular committee in 2007 (as she has done for the past number of years), helping the youth in Holbrook to enjoy a safe and sane Halloween. Carolyn also served on the Hol-brook Junior High School “Bridging Ceremony” committee.
   Also in 2007, Carolyn served as the president of the church council at Peace Lutheran Church. In that capacity she served a key role as her church was the host for the 2007 Festival of Trees, and she also as-sisted with the church’s yard sale, which saw some of the proceeds given to the Bread of Life Mission.
   Carolyn gives of her time in other capacities, including serving as a volunteer staff member at the Bread of Life Mission.
   Carolyn, along with her husband, Ed Gonzales, is a professional foster parent and has been helping a number of youth in that capacity for many years.
   Due to her many contributions to the city and residents of Holbrook, I nominate Carolyn Gonzales as Holbrook’s 2007 Woman of the Year.
Carey Kester
Nominee for Woman of the Year
   As the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back, Carey Kester works quietly and unob-trusively to make Holbrook a better place for everyone.
   She goes above and beyond her duties as secretary at the First Southern Baptist Church, making sure that anyone in need is taken care of.
   She volunteers additional time as a Sunday School teacher and AWANA leader.
   Even though she is busy raising two young boys, she finds time to volunteer at the elementary schools, quietly assisting individuals by running their errands or helping out in any way she can, and stepping in to take up the slack whenever a group finds itself shorthanded.
Rita Garcia
Nominee for Woman of the Year
   Rita has been actively involved in many areas to benefit the community of Holbrook.
   She served as president of the Friends of the Holbrook Public Library. Through her leadership, the Friends were able to surpass their goal of $50,000 by helping raise almost $60,000 for the benefit of the library, which touches almost every person in this community. She did this by being the chairperson of the art auction, which took hundreds of hours to organize and accomplish. Then she chaired the Renaissance Festival for the second year, bringing many people into our community to spend money in Holbrook. This will have a lasting influence for many years as these people will tell friends about our nice town.
   To help support the library, she goes to book sales all over the state, sorts, prices and sells the books on eBay, donating the profits to the library.
   She assisted with the Hashknife Pony Express 49th ride from the Petrified Forest to Holbrook, which took many hours of commitment.
   She has helped the Holbrook Parent Teacher Student Association with book fairs, gift sales and so forth.
   She was a volunteer with the HELP Coalition’s book fair by sorting, pricing, setting up and cleaning up after the event.
   Her love besides her family is cats. She has helped place over 50 cats and kittens in the last year. As part of that are her time and money spent fostering and socializing them in preparation for adoption. This also includes her catching wild cats, spaying and neutering them before releasing them to keep the popula-tion down, which prevents disease. She has also helped place other unwanted animals to good homes. This doesn’t count how much has been spent on cat food, litter, medications and other items needed to care for these animals.
   I wholeheartedly recommend Rita for Woman of the Year for all the wonderful things she does to bene-fit the City of Holbrook and its residents (both two and four-legged).
Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) - Nominee for Organization of the Year
   The Holbrook Police VIPS was formed on June 28, 2006. The purpose of this organization is to aid the community by complementing the local police department by providing services above and beyond those already provided by the Holbrook Police Department.
   The volunteers are Bill Moyer, Amir Montalvo and Doyce Stuart. Though they are small in number, these volunteers have logged hundreds of volunteer hours. They perform fingerprinting for hundreds of citizens requesting service, and have performed assignments at Old West Days, the Navajo County Fair, the Christmas Parade of Lights, New Year’s Eve festivities, Fourth of July fireworks, power outages and pris-oner watches, allowing officers to return to their duties.
   These VIPS have saved the community at least $10,000 a year. We are certain that the Holbrook Police Department and our community are grateful for their services and dedication to volunteering to make Hol-brook a safer community.
Walt’s Hardware
Nominee for Business of the Year
   Walt’s Hardware continues to be an asset to the community, both with the products and service offered, customer service provided and community support of local programs and events.
   Sponsorship of local programs aid and help drive community events that might not otherwise be suc-cessful.
   Their belief in Holbrook, efforts to be successful and meet customer and community needs and expecta-tions add to our town and its cumulative success. Thanks for being a part of our community.