Thursday, October, 3 2013

Nature: Better Delmarva Award Recognizes A Member from Indian River

On Thursday, October 3rd, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company learned that the WMDT/Mountaire Better Delmarva Award was being presented to Patrick C. Miller, President.

This is a monthly honor designed to highlight local individuals, businesses, civic organizations or classrooms who are going above and beyond in their effort to assist others in the community or to improve and protect the local environment.

Each month a winner is chosen by a Mountaire selection committee from submitted nominations. Each winner receives an engraved crystal trophy and will be highlighted in WMDT-TV commercial vignettes, on select www.wmdt.com web features and on www.mountaire.com.

WMDT and Mountaire’s goal is not only to recognize those who are already making a difference on the Delmarva Peninsula, but to encourage others to take on a greater role in bettering their local communities or improving the local environment. A fireman, policeman, or anyone who is an active volunteer at community events, helping others in a local hospital, teaching in a classroom, providing for the homeless, or something as simple as cleaning up the trash along our roadways, can be a candidate for this award.

President Miller’s nomination was based upon his collaborative efforts to enhance the communities of Oak Orchard, Riverdale, Long Neck and surrounding areas while representing the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard, and the Indian River School District.

Recently, a group of citizens and residents collaborated to continue the legacy of Dorothy “Dottie” Gudger by announcing and highlighting her extreme generosity. Together, the Friends and Family of Dorothy “Dottie” Gudger, affectionately formed the Nana's Kids Campaign.

Nana’s Kids Campaign is intended to continue tradition that Dottie developed over the years. Previously, Carol Taylor stated '...that her mother was Dottie Gudger and for as long as Carol can remember, my mother would purchase toys/clothes all year long in support of the needy kids drive.

When the kids went back to school my mother would purchase school supplies and take them to Long Neck Elementary School. It seems so fitting that so many organizations that my mom supported and lived near and cared about have come together to help honor her memory. My mother was always a child advocate. Her mother died in her early teens and my mother and her siblings were sent to live in an orphanage in DC. Later teens, she was sent to a foster home to live and help care for the family’s children. My mother NEVER used her childhood as an excuse instead she took her misfortune and became the best, most amazing person I have ever known. My mother was incredibly loyal, she was incredibly supportive, and she was a wonderful mom and Nana.

After my mother left us last year, my children and my nieces brought all my mom’s donations to County Bank for her. It was then that we dreamed of this day, officially changing the name of Nana’s Kids Campaign.

When I approached Patrick Miller months ago with the idea, I was so excited that he thought this was something we could bring in the local community to collaborate on. So I thank all the local organizations for coming together to support my family, and the kids of this community. My mother loved to support organizations in her local community, she felt like everyone could make a difference in someone’s life. Even if it’s not financially, even if it’s just smiling at the meanest person you know until you finally get them to smile back at you."

• http://www.irvfc.co/gallery.cfm?id=1235

"To honor our mother, my sister and I reached out to our family and friends with a request for warm clothing/toys and monetary donations to kick off the Nana’s Kids Campaign in Gudger style. As you can see by the amount of amazing toys and warm clothes behind me, our friends absolutely out did themselves. I remain overwhelmed at the quality donations that we received from our fantastic friends. I truly believe my mom would be so honored her community has chosen to honor her as well as our friends and family so graciously standing besides us. Most of the local community did not have the opportunity to know my mother, and they only know her as a horrible story on the news or in the paper. But when you look behind me – THIS is my mother – THIS is why my mother was about… this is her legacy--- friendship, helping someone out and taking a stand. Most will never understand how much this means to my sister and I or how much this honor would mean to my mother. But I hope the donations we bring to you tonight will help foster and help carry on the tradition she felt so strongly about. My sister and I would like to thank Patrick and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, County Bank, Long Neck Elementary School, Millie and the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard-Riverdale, the Community Church of Oak Orchard, the members of the Nanticoke Indian Association and all the other corporate and community partner that are participating."

Please view these additional websites and videos regarding these efforts. 

You may view the WMDT/Mountaire award presentation videos view the following links:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI-7tsApp0c

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmLR4VC_2TQ

As President of these organizations, I would like to acknowledge the generosity and collaborative efforts of those affiliated with these charitable entities that have made these activities possible.

Our objective for the upcoming holiday season is to again continue to emphasis the giving spirit and highlight the premises of the Nana's Kids Campaign by just putting a smile on someone's face.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.