The Urban League of Greater Madison's very own Travis Graham was honored with a United Way Community Volunteer Award April 23, 2008. Travis was nominated by ULGM staff member Lina Trivedi. In addition, Monty Schmidt from Sonic Foundry was also nominated by staff member Kit Laibly.
Here is the press release from the United Way:
United Way Community Volunteer Awards Winners Announced
Over 400 people were in attendance as the United Way Community Volunteer Awards were presented today to caring, dedicated volunteers. The heart-felt stories of personal dedication and community involvement moved everyone.
Emcee Katy Sai set the stage and Wisconsin's First Lady Jessica Doyle presented honorees and winners with their awards. This group showed a wide spectrum of people and activities, from Dave Schwartz who has been helping seniors with household projects and home repairs that allow seniors to live independently in their own home, to Dee Vetter who has volunteered over 6,000 hours for the American Red Cross Badger Chapter, where she leads meetings for over 60 Disaster Action Team volunteers and is implementing a plan to educate these teams on providing emergency services to special needs populations. The premier volunteer award, the Mike McKinney Community Volunteer Award, was awarded to Pedro Albiter for his volunteer commitment to Dane County in numerous organizations.
The winners were chosen from over 80 nominations, attesting to the incredible contributions of volunteers in Dane County. Award recipients each received a $1,000 contribution to the non-profit at which they volunteer, with the exception of the youth award winner who received a $500 scholarship for post-secondary education and a $500 contribution to her non-profit. Five honorees were also recognized with a $250 contribution to give to their non-profit. The contributions for winners and the event are generously sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group.
"We were so touched by the stories of these volunteers and their contributions to the community. It is because of incredible individuals such as these that we are proud to be sponsors of this event," said Steve Goldberg Executive Director of CUNA Mutual Foundation. "Through their actions, we see the community's Agenda for Change come to life as volunteers strengthen non-profits and help them achieve results."
United Way Community Volunteer Awards is one example of how United Way creates solutions for our community through action, focusing on the community's Agenda for Change. In addition to many other resources provided, United Way supports volunteerism through the United Way Volunteer Center, United Way 2-1-1, the VolunteerYourTime.org website and through events such as United Way Days of Caring and Youth Service Day.
Volunteering Facts
- Last year, the United Way Volunteer Center referred over 6,484 volunteers to 326 non-profit agencies.
- VolunteerYourTime.org, a United Way-led website collaboration received more than 45,000 unique visitors in 2007.
- During last year's United Way Days of Caring, 2,104 people volunteered for a total of 7,243 hours. The estimated dollar value of that time is $135,960. And that's just over three days.
- Volunteers have made Dane County safer, helped children learn to read, kept seniors living independently in their homes, helped families find affordable housing and much more.
Top Award Recipients And Honorees With Their Nominating Organizations
2nd Annual Mike McKinney Community Volunteer Award Recipient
- Pedro R. Albiter COFEMEX (Comite' Festival Mexicano-Wisconsin)
2008 United Way Community Volunteer Award Winners
- Dave Schwartz Middleton Outreach Ministry
- Travis Michael Graham Urban League of Greater Madison
- Elizabeth Secrist HospiceCare Inc.
- TDS The Salvation Army of Dane County
2008 United Way Community Volunteer Honorees
- Dee Vetter American Red Cross - Badger Chapter
- Laura Coleman Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center
- Shana Martin Huntington's Disease Society of America
- St. Dennis RespiteCare Team Catholic Charities Aging Services
Volunteer Stories-Travis Michael Graham
When we face trials and difficulties, we are often able to rise above circumstance and be stronger for it. Such is the case for Travis who has been volunteering for the Urban League of Greater Madison. His time with the Workforce and Economic Development Services division has helped connect residents with the skills they need to obtain higher paying jobs, reconnect with their families and overcome barriers that block some from finding employment. Mr. Graham patiently assists others in completing on-line job applications, helping them learn basic computer skills. He conducts the initial goal-setting meeting that every member of Urban League uses to set realistic and measurable life goals. He plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide that prevents many low-income members from accessing services and resources that make them self-sufficient. Committed to overcoming bad choices in his past, this Award Winner helps other disenfranchised community members persevere and succeed. To his organization he is truly irreplaceable.