Volunteers, organizations recognized at FLORIDA TODAY's VRA ceremony
Volunteers in Brevard dedicate their time, money and skills to serve those in need across the Space Coast. It’s often a thankless effort, with little recognition.
But on Thursday evening, at Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa Campus, the efforts of several individuals and groups were recognized during FLORIDA TODAY’S 29th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards.
Dorothy “Ms. Dot” Linson was named Volunteer of the Year; Robert “Bob” Barnes, Citizen of the Year; L3 Harris, Business of the Year; and Aging Matters, Organization of the Year.
The winners, as well as nine other finalists, were recognized at the Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center on Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa campus, with a ceremony from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
The 28th annual VRA event was held in 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 awards canceled due to COVID-19.
“We … want to recognize and highlight the good in our community, we want to celebrate when things go right,” said Mara Bellaby, FLORIDA TODAY executive editor. “When people make a difference and they change Brevard for the better.”
"These are the people, the businesses and the organizations who truly put the community first," said John Torres, engagement editor for FLORIDA TODAY. "They are the brightest stars in Brevard and shine as true for us all."
Citizen of the Year Robert “Bob” Barnes, co-founder of the Children’s Hunger Project, is also the founder of the Aspiration Academy. The new after-school program’s goal is to work with gifted elementary-age students in low income areas throughout Brevard County to provide extra coaching and guidance, with a focus on reading and math.
"We were founded on a simple philosophy, our business plan and what we've operated on .... (it's) a nine-word business plan: See a hungry kid, buy food, feed the kid. It's that simple," Barnes said. "Kids going hungry in Brevard County is beyond comprehension."
Volunteer of the Year Dorothy “Ms. Dot” Linson works hard to make sure children in Brevard are fed. She volunteers prepping meals for children after school at the Melbourne Community Center and during the summer, she cooks food for a read and feed program for kids. She has hosted free Thanksgiving meals for hundreds of people for more than 20 years. Her passion comes from growing up with “very little” and her faith in God, she said.
"God has blessed me to be able to reach out and give back," Linson said. "It makes me so happy to know that there is a God. He sits high, but he looks low."
In addition to the recognition of Volunteer of the Year, a donation of $1,000 will be made to an organization in Linson’s name to further the efforts of her chosen charity.
Aging Matters, Organization of the Year, cares for about 3,196 clients a year. Founded in Brevard in 1965, its staff of 97 employees as well as volunteers help organize Meals on Wheels deliveries, congregate dining sites countywide, transportation, home care programs and more for the 60-and-older population.
"We can't possibly do (our work) without our volunteers," said Tom Kammerdener, president and CEO of Aging Matters. "We embrace our volunteers. We need our volunteers, and we love our volunteers."
L3 Harris, winner of Business of the Year, donated more than 23,000 volunteer hours in the first nine months of 2022. The third largest employer on the Space Coast, they donated more than $1.5 million to the United Way in 2021, and made contributions to the Brevard Schools Foundation, the Brevard Zoo, Candlelighters of Brevard, Club Esteem, The Dock, Junior Achievement, the King Center for the Performing Art, Space Coast Discovery and weVenture, as well as other organizations.
"Our employees tell us all the time that the way that they feel most engaged is when they can give back, when they can participate in causes that they care most about," said Erica Lemp, L3 Harris director for community affairs.
Other finalists:
Citizen of the Year: Michael Cadore is the founder of I Got Skillz football camp, the president of Magnus Solutions and vice president of Train to Succeed. These two organizations focus on leadership skills and mentorship for children across the Space Coast. Marcus Ingeldseon is director of construction at MH Williams Construction Group and chair of the board at Space Coast Habitat for Humanity. He is also chair of the board at Space Coast Discovery.
Volunteer of the Year: Riley Renfro started volunteering at the Florida Wildlife Hospital this year and has already accumulated more hours helping injured animals than anyone else there. She also serves at Suntree United Methodist church as a middle school youth group leader, volunteers with elementary and preschool-aged children and works special events throughout the year. Sharon Rivera runs Bone Builders classes, which help prevent osteoporosis in participants. Additionally, she volunteers with disabled teens at Brevard Zoo and feeds clients of Meals on Wheels.
Organization of the Year: Florida Wildlife Hospital, whose staff of 17 and about 80 volunteers in Palm Shores work to rehabilitate and release all Florida native wildlife except alligators, sea turtles and venomous snakes. These animals include squirrels, native and migratory birds, otters and other creatures, many of which were brought in by caring members of the general public. In 2021, they saw more than 6,000 patients. Metropolitan Baptist Church Outreach Ministry in Cocoa serves civilians and veterans in need of food, clothing, bus passes and other necessities every week. With a connection to Welcome Come Veterans, the church program has given veterans in the Cocoa and Rockledge area a place where they can go to receive services through the veteran’s organization.
Business of the Year: Bobbi’s at Parkside in Cocoa Village supports, among other organizations, the weVenture Women’s Business Center at FLorida Tech, A Life Recaptured, Bras for a Cause, The Children’s Hunger Project, Crosswinds Youth Services, Dancing with Brevard ,Genesis House, the Red Cross, Serene Harbor and Trades of Hope. Silent auction items have been donated to a number of organizations, including the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Space Coast Habitat for Humanity. Community Credit Union of Florida’s employees engage in community service, with each employee choosing where they volunteer. More than 1,500 hours of community service had been donated by the Rockledge-based credit union as of November. Additionally, the credit union contributes to Brevard Public Schools.
Finch Walker is a breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Spotlight shines on FLORIDA TODAY Volunteer Recognition Awards winners
