Optimist Clubs Win Volunteer Service Award by Jennifer Kendo Ohio District Governor 2020-21
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he Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services selected the Kettering Noon Optimist Club and the Greene Optimist Club for the 2020 Erin Ritchey Memorial Carl Day Volunteer Service Award. The Erin Ritchey Memorial Awards fall into 8 categories. These categories include achievement, business, Carl Day Volunteer Service, community, direct support, educator, Erin’s Award, and spirit. The Carl Day Volunteer Service award recognizes individuals or groups that provide significant support and assistance on a volunteer basis to people with developmental disabilities, or to organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities. The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services oversees an awards program designed to recognize individuals with developmental disabilities and the people who serve them. The Erin Ritchey Memorial Awards, created by Erin's parents, Kenneth and Nancy Ritchey, recognize the personal and professional efforts of individuals and/or groups throughout Ohio’s Miami Valley (counties including Greene, Miami and Montgomery) that make significant contributions to improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.
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The Erin Ritchey Memorial Fund was established by her family through the generous donations of people throughout Ohio. This fund makes possible the Memorial Awards, which serve as a tribute to one child so that other children and adults with developmental disabilities, the families who support them, and the people who serve them may know a future of understanding and acceptance. Nominees are evaluated based on extraordinary contributions that support people with developmental disabilities, positive impact on others, self-organization and outstanding achievement. The nominees must be a resident of, employed in OR located in, Montgomery, Greene, Preble, or Warren counties. Carl Day was a local newsman who volunteered his time to emcee The Erin Ritchey Memorial Awards for many years. At the awards ceremony in November 2020, Sue Armstrong, Pat Behn, Tom and Jennifer Kendo, all GreenMont Voices Club Members & Club liaisons, were recognized as Volunteer Superheroes in the community. Sue Armstrong & I were delighted to accept the Erin Ritchey Memorial Carl Day Volunteer Service Award on behalf of The Kettering Noon Optimist Club and The Greene Optimist Club.
Jennifer Kendo and Sue Armstrong
