The Thomas Community Service Award

2003 Recipients

2-27-04

Four community volunteers were honored at the Muskingum County Community Foundation’s ninth annual Donor Recognition and Award Banquet Saturday evening at the Zanesville Country Club. Each recipient was recognized for exemplary community service.

The Thomas Community Service Award is named for Ray Thomas, the Founding President of the Muskingum County Community Foundation, and is given to individuals who have donated their time and talents to improve the quality of life in Muskingum County. These volunteers have been instrumental in the success of an organization or community project. Recipients name the nonprofit organization of his or her choice to receive a $1,000 grant from the Muskingum County Community Foundation.

Charles E. White was honored for his work at Eastside Community Ministry. Eastside provides assistance to the needy through Christ’s Pantry (an emergency food bank), a clothing bank, programs for the elderly and disabled, and programs for at-risk youth. As a board member, Charlie has utilized his long and extensive background of volunteer work to raise community awareness of the mission of Eastside. Nominator, Dorbie Littick notes: "Charlie has volunteered for a long list of projects…he has worked on new programs, reaching new levels of support in both interest and fund raising or Eastside." Further, Charlie has been working with Director Jack McClelland to develop strategic planning and long term goals, and has been an invaluable volunteer for the organization. Community service has been important to Charlie, and he has been making a real difference for those in need. Because of Charlie’s dedication, many lives have been touched; the staff and volunteers of Eastside Community Ministry are most appreciative of his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts.

Retired Wallace (Wally) Moore was honored for making a difference for the whole community. And he does -- quietly, and behind the scenes. Often times, you can see Wally at work. Perhaps you may have spotted him sweeping the sidewalks or pulling weeds along Maple Avenue. Or you may have seen him checking for burned out street lights downtown, or trimming tree branches in Putnam. Or, you may have seen Wally picking up trash in a parking lot, or pulling weeds in a flower garden. Wally has been beautifying the City for years. In his unassuming manner, Wally goes where ever duty calls. And Wally’s payment for his tireless hours of this dedicated service is to know that he is, somehow, making a difference while he is doing his part to beautify the City of Zanesville. Nominator Mayor Jack Fenton notes: "Mr. More has provided his own equipment and supplies…and has so graciously given of his time and talents for the beautification of Zanesville." Wally is truly an exemplarily citizen who inspires each of us to seek opportunities to help make Zanesville a beautiful city and a better place to live.

Putnam residents, Kate and Bart Hagemeyer were honored for doing their part to beautify one of the major gateways to this Historic District, by building Putnam Restoration Park. For years, the couple has envisioned rebuilding Spangler Park which once stood at the head of Woodlawn Avenue, but was destroyed by the 1937 flood. Over time, the former site of the once magnificent Spangler Park had deteriorated into a junk yard and eyesore. The Hagemeyers shared their vision of rebuilding a park reminiscent of Spangler, partnered with the Muskingum County Community Foundation, and established the Restoration Park Fund. With the help of Joy Padgett, Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, the project was awarded a major grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Matching funds were provided by MCCF, the J. William and M. H. Straker Charitable Foundation, as well as gifts from private citizens. A recent grant from the Historic Advisory Committee will provide the park a beautiful wrought iron fence. Nominator Joy Padgett commented: "Rewarding inspiration is our favorite activity at the Governor’s Office of Appalachia. The Hagemeyers provided the ideas, the creativity, the initiative and labor to make (this park) possible. We simply take joy in rewarding those who undertake the hard parts of project creation."

The Hagemeyers have made a generous planned gift through LEAVE A LEGACY Muskingum County, to make Restoration Park a permanent gift to our community. The park will be completed and presented to the community this summer. The Hagemeyers are truly exemplary citizens who show us that persistence and hard work will result in positive changes for our community.

Individuals and organizations are invited to nominate community volunteers from Muskingum County to receive the Thomas Award. Recipients name a local charitable organization or initiative to receive a $1,000 grant from the Muskingum County Community Foundation. The deadline for next year’s nominations is March 1, 2004. Winner(s) will be recognized at the MCCF Donor Recognition and Awards Banquet. Invitations to the Banquet are extended to donors of $1,000 or more to the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund during the previous year. The Board of Trustees of the Muskingum County Community Foundation is grateful for the generous sponsorship of this event by First Federal Savings Bank

To obtain a nomination form or more information, please contact the Foundation at 534 Putnam Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701, call (740) 453-5192; or, visit the Foundation’s Web site at mccf.org. Since 1988, the Muskingum Community Foundation has given more than $4 million in grants to local charities.

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