Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards – Indian River’s President Recognized
 

Twenty six individuals, groups, and corporate groups received the 2013 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award on Oct. 22 at Dover Downs.  These exceptional people participate in such diverse activities as educating others about Delaware’s history, advocating for causes close to their hearts, and raising thousands of dollars for community organizations. The event begun with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony commenced at 7 p.m.

Governor Markell stated  “...Carla and I strongly believe serving others binds us together as individuals and strengthens our connection to the larger community.” “This year’s Volunteer Award recipients are just a few of the outstanding Delawareans who give their time and talents to make Delaware a better place to live and inspire others to do the same.”

First lady Carla Markell is a champion of volunteerism, and, with the Governor, is doing much to encourage more people across the state to volunteer.

 “By working together we can improve the lives of many and create a positive and healthy future for all,” said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the state’s efforts to foster volunteerism and service.

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, UnitedHealthcare, WSFS Bank, as well as the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

Indian River’s President – Patrick Miller was nominated and recognized as one of the 2013 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteers.  Patrick’s nomination was submitted by Carol Taylor, volunteer and community activist.

The nomination read “…Patrick serves his community in many way through his service to the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.  Since, 1998 Patrick has served nearly every level of both organizations – from fundraiser to Board Member; there is nothing he hasn’t done.

As President of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale, Patrick’s leadership is responsible for the day to day positive impact on the 289 club members and their families, who have come to rely on him.  Through his involvement, Patrick has helped shape programs and was involved in the critical task of fundraising to build the current club.

For over 10 years, Patrick has also served as President of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.  As a volunteer, he is always willing to go the extra mile.  Patrick has led initiatives, such as the Nana’s Kids Campaign where over $12,000 was raised to help those in need within the community.  Patrick is truly a blessing to all those who are touched by his compassion and goodwill!...”

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following web pages:

http://www.irvfc.com/gallery.cfm?id=1449&ss=1

http://www.volunteerdelaware.org/HOC__cmscontent?CMSId=a0UA000000eXz9QMAS

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/governor-announces-delawares-outstanding-volunteers/1065048

Governor announces Delaware's outstanding volunteers

Individual winners in Sussex County include John Gladwell, Lewes, community service; Lucy Mehl, Milford, community service; Patrick Miller, Millsboro, public safety; and Bob Patterson, Lewes, community service.

Miller serves his community in many ways through his service to the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/ Riverdale and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. He has served nearly every level of both organizations, from fundraiser to board member.

http://www.wboc.com/story/23762241/delaware-recognizes-volunteers

http://www.volunteerdelaware.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=015A00000033izu

http://delaware.newszap.com/southerndelaware/126988-70/assisting-the-community-the-impetus-for-millsboro-mans-volunteerism 

Assisting the community the impetus for Millsboro man's volunteerism

Last Modified: Oct 31, 2013 10:58PM

MILLSBORO -- Patrick C. Miller’s weekday job is Finance Director for the Indian River School District.

When not tabulating ledgers and finances for one of the largest school districts in Delaware, Mr. Miller might be seen responding to the scene of a fire or accident as a member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, or helping to shape the youth of tomorrow with fundraisers for the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club.

Volunteerism runs through the veins of the 49-year-old Millsboro man, and on Oct. 22 Mr. Miller was among the 26 recipients of Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

“The drive is to assist and help the community; help the children and the entities prosper. I think it has been working by forming partnerships and collaborating with the many entities in order to allow the entire neighborhood to benefit,” said Mr. Miller. “It is giving back to the community, offering things back to them that I was offered (as a kid). It’s helping those in need.”

Mr. Miller joined the Indian River VFC in 1993 and is in his 13^th one-year term as the company’s president.

He also serves as president of the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club, and has been on thhat organization’s board since its inception in the late 1980s.

Mr. Miller was nominated by Carol Taylor, volunteer and community activist.

The nomination read “… Patrick serves his community in many ways through his service to the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale and the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. Since, 1998 Patrick has served nearly every level of both organizations – from fundraiser to board member; there is nothing he hasn’t done. As President of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale, Patrick’s leadership is responsible for the day to day positive impact on the 289 club members and their families, who have come to rely on him. Through his involvement, Patrick has helped shape programs and was involved in the critical task of fundraising to build the current club.

“For over 10 years, Patrick has also served as President of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, As a volunteer, he is always willing to go the extra mile. Patrick has led initiatives, such as the Nana’s Kids Campaign where over $12,000 was raised to help those in need within the community. Patrick is truly a blessing to all those who are touched by his compassion and goodwill!”

Ms. Taylor is the daughter of the late Dorothy Gudger -- a 70-year-old Millsboro woman affectionately known as Nana who was murdered in her home in the fall of 2011.

Nana’s Kids Campaign continues Ms. Gudger’s charitable spirit.

Mr. Miller says the volunteer work he and others in the community do for children has its heart-felt reward. “As Dorothy Gudger would say, ‘Just seeking the smile on their face …”

Earlier this fall, Mr. Miller was a recipient of WMDT/Mountaire’s Better Delmarva Award, which is a monthly honor designed to highlight local individuals, businesses, civic organizations or classrooms that go above and beyond in their effort to assist others in the community.

Mr. Miller admits that his volunteer efforts don’t leave an overabundance of spare time.

“Everyone laughs and teases me that they will get an email in the early morning hours or late evening hours, and they’ll say, ‘What are you still doing up? Do you ever sleep?’” said Mr. Miller. “You just have to prioritize your duties.”

News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or [email protected].

http://www.coastalpoint.com/content/oak_orchard_firefighter_wins_governor%E2%80%99s_volunteer_award_12_19_2013 

Oak Orchard firefighter wins governor’s volunteer award

Date Published: December 20, 2013

By Laura Walter, Staff Reporter

Whether he’s in mission control or on the front lines, Patrick Miller has dedicated countless hours to his hometown of Oak Orchard. As president of Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for 14 years and of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale for four years, Miller helps to lead and collaborate across the community. That work earned him a 2013 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.

 “In the course of his various leadership roles … he enables over a hundred willing volunteers to also serve their community,” wrote nominator Carol Taylor, who worked with Miller last year to transform the IRVFC’s toy campaign into Nana’s Kids Campaign, memorializing her mother, Dorothy “Dottie” Gudger. “Personally, for me, he renewed that feeling that, out in the terrible world, some people still cared about others — just as my mom always had.”

Taylor marveled at the long hours Miller dedicates as a volunteer, from managing to mentoring. His quick email responses came at all hours of the day because of his fire calls or website updates.

Miller is constantly reaching out to people. Taylor praised the successful collaboration he built between her family and a handful of business organizations for Nana’s Kids, “to provide over $12,000 worth of smiles, toys and clothes last December to the kids in the IRVFC community.”

“The reason we call you is because you know how to get things done,” Miller said. “It’s knowing who to contact. It makes the community a better place as a whole.”

“Never one to let issues go unresolved, he can be counted on to lead the way in formalizing meetings, workshops and plain open-air conversations with those that are in a position to help,” wrote Leolga Wright in her recommendation for the award. “I … have seen firsthand the desire in his heart to help others. Patrick is a go-to person when you need to get the job done.”

He also maintains the IRVFC website, regularly updating the public about vehicle accidents or fires through press releases and social media. At the fire hall, Miller might train younger members, monitor floodwaters or continue regular firefighting. No job is too big or too small.

“At the majority of the events Patrick is involved in, this president doesn’t stand on the sidelines. He rolls up his sleeves and is involved in the setup and clean up, as well, or is the one snapping the pictures,” Taylor wrote.

He is hands-on at the Boys and Girls Club, shoveling snow, serving at spaghetti dinner and pancake breakfast fundraisers, and setting up games or giving fire truck rides at the community festival.

For Nana’s Kids, he didn’t just ask others for help — he provided it.

“I can attest he spent long hours aligning the partners, getting a logo, gift tags, sorting over 350 gifts, delivering gifts, purchasing last-minute items and tracking the over $7,200 in monetary donations,” Taylor wrote.

As if those efforts weren’t enough for a full plate, Miller is employed as chief financial officer for Indian River School District.

Miller was surprised by the nomination and briefly managed to stay out of the spotlight it cast. His friends and colleagues were delighted when they later learned of the award.

“Patrick is truly a blessing to those who are touched by his compassion and good will,” said IRSD Superintendent Susan Bunting at the October school board meeting. “We’d like to thank Patrick for all he does — not only at work, but in the community.”

“Patrick is a humble man,” Wright wrote. “When it comes to accepting accolades, he is known for quickly passing the many accomplishments — of which he has been instrumental in completing — on to others. Patrick truly exemplifies what volunteerism is all about.”

“It’s not me. It’s the partnerships in the community that has [pulled together] to do this,” Miller said. “I did not do it for any recognition. They’re little kids. They are entitled to happiness … and it makes a difference.”

Miller recalled a past holiday season when he ran into some neighbors who were shopping, but on a very limited income. Afterward, he decided to purchase the rest of the items on their Christmas list and have everything delivered on a fire engine.

“It was a completely amazing feeling that they appreciated it. We would have never known [about that need] if we hadn’t run into them,” Miller said.

Oak Orchard citizens founded the Boys & Girls Club to help keep children out of trouble. Instead of more policing, they gave youth something to do. Miller joined the board of the organization in 2000, involved with the critical task of fundraising to build the permanent building, which stands today on Route 5. Now, the Oak Orchard club also oversees Dagsboro’s club.

Miller also recently won the Mountaire/WMDT Better Delmarva Award for his service.

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards honored 25 individuals, groups and corporate groups in October. It is designed to represent the positive impact of volunteerism and encourage others to get involved in their communities. Other nearby community service winners included John Gladwell and Bob Patterson of Lewes and Lucy Mehl of Milford.