Amogh Baranwal

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Amogh Baranwal is a Pembroke Pines Charter High School student and has 1032 volunteer hours. Amogh has given his time to the PPCHS Relay for Life Team, Rho Kappa Honor Society and Joshua’s Heart Foundation Pantry. Amogh is an active member of his Temple community, including assisting with their youth programs and in an annual event honoring teachers.

Abe Villarreal

Douglas, Arizona

Abe Villarreal serves as a campus dean at Cochise College where he sits as a member of the President’s Council and Administrator of Record for the campus with the Douglas campus. Abe leads community engagement efforts, connecting the campus with the Douglas community. Outside of his work, Able volunteers with several organizations including the C.A.M.E. Migrant Center in Agua Prieta, Kiwanis International, and the Douglas Historical Society. He serves as a board member with Canyon Vista Medical Center and the Center for Academic Success. He is also a volunteer with CASA of Arizona as a court appointed special advocate. Abe is a proud Douglas native, a graduate of Douglas High School, and alum of Cochise College.

Pat Mulvehill

Waterbury, Connecticut

We recognize Pat Mulvehill, Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Waterbury, for his courageous and selfless actions and extend our sincerest gratitude to Pat for his heroism in the face of danger. Driving through a neighborhood, Pat noticed smoke coming from a multi-family home. He immediately stopped his vehicle just as a second-story window was shattering due to heat from the fire. Pat could hear yelling coming from the rear of the home and ran to help. He noticed that one of the occupants was wheelchair bound and two other residents were attempting to help her escape from the second floor. Pat quickly carried the woman down the stairs and to safety, bravely putting his own life in jeopardy to protect and save the lives of others.

Anaya Fink

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Anaya Fink is a Pembroke Pines Charter High School student and has 1040 volunteer hours. Anaya gives most of her time to Potential Church and the PPCHS Sports Medicine Club. Anaya is a founding leader of the Jaguar Athletic Training Students and is pursuing a career in Sports Medicine. She helps to manage the Athletic Training room, runs treatment on student athletes, and instructs the younger members on skills and procedures.

Gladys Vasquez

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Gladys has been a member of the Carl Shechter Southwest Focal Point Community Center since 2021 when she retired from her position with the IT Department for Miami-Dade County Schools. She was so appreciative of the classes and activities offered by the Center, she immediately began to volunteer, assisting staff and other members with a wide range of tasks. Gladys is always available at a moment’s notice, and lovingly rolls up her sleeves to help with even the most difficult projects. We are so lucky to have her sharing her warmth and kindness with us.

Fred and Rose Bavo

Oneida, New York

In 2021, the first year the City of Oneida Community Gardens was open, Fred & Rose Bavo volunteered to be responsible for turning the water on and off every day from May through October. They continued to perform this valuable service through the entirety of the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Fred and Rose are excellent gardeners, and keep their plots well maintained while growing an assortment of vegetables for their own use, and to share with their family. The Bavos have participated in all of the Community Gardens workday activities and are always willing to help in any way they can.

Rochester Hills Citizens

Rochester Hills, Michigan

This summer, a City of Rochester Hills employee was home for her lunch hour when she suddenly collapsed in her driveway. Her mail carrier saw her fall, recognized she was unresponsive and not breathing, and alerted neighbors to call 911. Sergeant Derek Myers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office arrived quickly and began to perform CPR. A neighbor also came to her aid and assisted Sgt Myers with CPR until they were relieved by the Rochester Hills Fire Department. Lieutenant Loren Mitchell, Firefighters Paul Terbrack, Kevin Palaian, Andrew Clark and Battalion Chief Nick Birchmeier all arrived on scene, rendered medical attention, and transported her to the hospital. She received three shocks from a defibrillator on the way to keep her alive. Doctors at the hospital determined our employee had suffered a heart attack due to 100% blockage in the widow maker artery. Without a doubt, she would not have survived without all these Extra Mile Heroes who heroically leapt into action to save her.

Jessica Lowe

Draper, Utah

Jessica is the founder of a non-profit called “Be a Little Too Kind.” Every Wednesday, she prepares over 100 hot meals and on Thursday delivers them in her truck with the help of family and friends, to those in the Salt Lake neighborhoods experiencing homelessness. She has made many friendships with the people that she feeds and she cares for them deeply.

Mike Snyder

Draper, Utah

Mike Snyder has been taking morning walks in the community for years. Every morning he takes a garbage bag with him and picks up trash along the streets. He averages over 900 miles a year and spends an average of 380 hours per year collecting trash in our community. Draper City is very appreciative of his service and he is well known in the community.

Julia Pinto and Mari Snyder

Douglas, Arizona

Julia Pinto and Mari Snyder are lay missioners with the Franciscan Mission Service who have served nearly two years at the US-Mexico border here in Douglas and Agua Apieta. Working with Fr. JoJo, Head of the Catholic Community of Douglas-Pirtleville, they established Douglas’ welcoming center asylum seekers, where mostly young families can have a homemade meal and rest before proceeding to Tucson, then onward to their sponsors. Julia and Mari are actively recruiting volunteers beyond Douglas’ faith community. They welcome donations of food, paper goods and cleaning supplies for this very active, every-day-of-the-week community effort that serves an average of 45-50 people – largely women and children – each day. They are very honored to receive this award and warmly thank the city of Douglas, its leadership and community members for the wonderful welcome, experiences and opportunities they have been given in this lovely community.

Alex Boneo

Douglas, Arizona

Alexandra Boneo is from Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Sonora Border Communities. She has over 15 years of experience in community development in the non-profit sector. As a Douglas coalition substance abuse coordinator, she was able to serve her border community directly by coordinating local efforts to address substance abuse prevention, underage drinking, and prescription drug abuse. This has also provided her the opportunity to network with other grass roots organizations, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations to collaborate and partner in almost every prevention event in the community. She has made a significant impact in the community through her prevention efforts over the years. Alexandra also serves on the Legacy Foundation Board representing Cochise County. Volunteering for her community is her passion. In the last 10 years, she has volunteered for several efforts and organization including the Binational Health Council, St. Vincent DePaul, Douglas Area Food Bank, Douglas for Stronger Families’ Council, City of Douglas Budget Council, City of Douglas Library Council, Leaders Across Borders, and many others. Her mission is to serve and make her community a better place in every possible way through passion and action.

Jill Oliver, Town Planner

Ocean View, Delaware

The year 2023 as well as prior years saw Jill Oliver maintain a high level of service to our community in performing her role as Planner alongside Director Ken Cimino. Jills attention to detail and considerate approach to working through issues and reaching reasonable decisions benefits our community as well as her department. In addition, Jill consistently offers her time and skills to the success of our organization in the area of social media, photography, graphic design and general cheerleader for all things Ocean View! The added value offerings shared freely by Jill and other members of our organization allow Ocean View to stand apart and helps to create a friendly and supportive work atmosphere, that leads to success. In this, Jill Oliver strongly exemplifies going the “Extra Mile” by doing more than what’s required for the benefit of our community!

Shawanda Garrison, Town Accountant

Ocean View, Delaware

During 2023 and previously Shawanda has exemplified the goals of the “Extra Mile Day” by creating positive change within the Town’s organization such that her engagement and management of the Towns accounting programs has helped to ensure the Town receives an unmodified opinion from our outside auditors. This is the highest audit rating a local government can achieve. In addition, along with the rest of the Finance Department team, Shawanda’s efforts supported the receipt of a 2023 Distinguished Budget Presentation award from the Government Finance Officers Association! Further, it is noted that as of October 2023, the Town’s delinquent tax receivables are less than $30,000 as a result of Shawanda’s consistent and professional engagement and outreach to property owners, including establishing payment plans when appropriate. It should be noted that this is an extremely notable accomplishment! Shawanda suggested we hold a Town picnic in 2023 where all employees, their families, Council, volunteers, and committee and board members were invited to gather, engage and share some great food. The picnic was held in September to rave reviews and again highlights Shawanda’s interest in bringing people together and fostering teamwork, true “Extra Mile” goals!

Rosemary Manyak

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Rosemary Manyak, 80 years old of Chicopee, has been volunteering at the Chicopee Council on Aging’s Senior Center at River Mills Center for the past two years. She helps at the congregate meal site every day, substitutes at the café when a café assistant is out, assists in the kitchen packaging up meals-to-go, and helps at evening special events. Since January 2023 alone, Rosemary has volunteered 602 hours. The city very much appreciates all the time she has volunteered to better the lives of older adults in Chicopee.

Dave Vandenbergh

Elkins, West Virginia

Dave has volunteered at Davis Medical Center since 2016 and has donated more than 1200 hours of service helping our community members navigate the hospital. He has shown compassion to people during their most stressful times to make them feel more at ease, or he tells a joke to make someone laugh when they are anxious. Not only does he volunteer at DMC, but he also volunteers each week serving meals to the homeless at the First United Methodist Church. Before volunteering at FUMC, he donated many hours delivering Meals on Wheels to our senior community members in their homes.

Michael Parlock

Elkins, West Virginia

Michael is the law and public safety instructor at Randolph Technical Center. Not only does he teach his students and give them the skills they need to successfully obtain jobs in law enforcement all over the state, but he mentors his students on a personal basis.

Pat Lewis

Elkins, West Virginia

Pat is described as one of the most passionate people around. If she hears about a family in need, she is the first one to post on Facebook looking for help and donations. She works hard with area parents and collects donations for children at Christmas time to make sure less provided for children are taken care of.

Eddie Cliame

Worland, Wyoming

City of Worland is recognizes Eddie Cliame, Director of the “New Hope Humane Society.” Eddie has done an incredible job to keep our pet community of cats, dogs and other animals cared for at a time when they really need a helping hand! She is a very compassionate and caring person yet stern when it comes to animal cruelty. We applaud Eddie’s kindness and her contribution to our community.

Nansen Ski Club’s Board of Directors and Volunteers

Berlin, New Hampshire

This year, Mayor Grenier recognized the Nansen Ski Club’s Board of Directors and Volunteers. They have demonstrated visionary leadership, tenacity and dedication, collaborative spirit, preservation of history, community engagement, and sustainability. The Nansen Ski Club has not only preserved a piece of history, but also reinvigorated a sport, benefitting the local community, and ensuring that the legacy of the Big Nansen Ski Jump lives on for generations to come. Their commendable efforts stand as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through dedication, collaboration, and a deep commitment to history and sport. Everyone involved in this work has truly gone the “Extra Mile.”

Diane Peel

Newport, Vermont

Founder, organizer and all-around everything woman for the Community Mesh. This program provides affordable internet access for a specific area downtown Newport. It made it possible for kids to do their homework (when the library was closed during covid, no computer use and schools had no solutions.). Diane also teaches at The 99 Gallery on School Street which she has done for years with minimal help, financial or otherwise, and learned every skill herself.

VFW Post 798 Auxiliary

Newport, Vermont

VFW Post 798 Auxiliary is honored as an Extra Mile Hero for their many contributions that bring joy and comfort to our community. Listed among them are these: three community meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter), Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, VET barbeques, dances for the community, monthly community breakfasts, supporting various ceremonies, and building ramps for disabled veterans.

Missy McCollam

Elkins, West Virginia

Missy McCollam is the director of The Old Brick Playhouse in Elkins. Missy cares deeply for the community in which she lives. She serves with deep love and compassion for people of all ages from 5 to 100 making sure that they know that “everyone is different, and everyone is important.” With Missy’s help, The Old Brick Playhouse helped over 2,500 students express their love for the arts.

Citizens Promoting Community

Elkins, West Virginia

Citizens Promoting Community is a group of like-minded citizens whose goal is to create community. Throughout the summer, they held numerous events and raised around $3,000 for local non-profits. They have raised over $6,500.00 since starting last year. Their hard work and dedication help keep these organizations focused on their mission.

ASHLEY & JASON ALDRICH

Barre City, Vermont

Ashley and Jason have served our community through the Barre Youth Sports Association (BYSA) Football program, having dedicated countless hours to our youth. Both Ashley and Jason have served on the board in leadership positions, and Jason also connects with the children on the field as a head coach. The time and dedication they have put into this program is priceless to our next generation.

Kay Love

Lawton, Oklahoma

Kay Love cares deeply for the City of Lawton and gives all her time and effort into helping others. Love became legally blind in the late 1970’s and since then has dedicated her life to volunteering in the community. She has volunteered with a senior citizens hotline program called the Pal Program, checking on the elderly who are homebound due to health issues. Love also brought attention to the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) and the importance of transportation for those with disabilities in our community. Love had a key role in creating the Lawton Council of the Blind chapter and is now President of the local chapter.

Jose Olivo

Lawton, Oklahoma

Jose Olivo is a dedicated citizen to the City of Lawton. He volunteers with many organizations, including Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry, C. Carter Crane Shelter, Marie Detty, Youth & Family services and their annual Domestic Violence Walk, just to name a few. Olivo serves on multiple boards and is also a member of the Young Professionals of Lawton. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Science, and he hopes to one day become a licensed counselor to further help people in need.

Chance Harmon

Lawton, Oklahoma

Chance Harmon is the Managing Director of Lawton Community Theatre and serves the community in the most entertaining and unique way – by bringing to life productions we know and love to include ‘Annie’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and ‘Always, Patsy Cline’, just to name a few. Harmon is dedicated to building a strong community theatre and understands it starts with the youngest of actors. In addition to making sure the community’s youth is engaged in theatre, Harmon serves on National Endowment of the Arts Consultant Committee for north Texas and southern Oklahoma, he’s a board directive consultant for theatre boards across the country and most locally, Harmon is on the Arts for All Gala Committee.

Chef Matt Pierone and Chris Mazzarella

Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey

Chef Matt Pierone, the owner of Gourmet Café, was honored as an Extra Mile Hero, for his efforts in supporting the community with his unwavering support and donations to the community of Parsippany. Matt has continuously donated both meals and money to Parsippany residents in need, even during Covid when his own business was dealing with uncertainty and loss of income.

Chris Mazzarella is an extra mile hero for his efforts in helping the Covid-19 impacted community by launching “Front Line Morris”, a non-profit organization, that has raised over $125,00 for the community. The funds were used to provide PPE to front line responders, food to local food pantries and hospital workers, all while utilizing local small businesses and restaurants to provide relief and support to them as well.

Frank & K-9 Companion Earl- Caregiver Volunteers

Brick, New Jersey

Frank and his Caregiver Canine Companion, Earl, began their volunteering journey with Caregiver Volunteers in 2014 and never looked back. Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey’s is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing free supportive services to the frail elderly and the home-bound, enabling them to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. Frank is a dedicated veteran volunteer on his own, active in the Veteran’s Program helping to bridge the gap between the Veteran’s Affairs Office and Caregivers Volunteers of Central New Jersey. He is also one of the most amazing and requested volunteers through the Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program. The bond Frank has formed with those he serves is impactful and priceless!

Kim Liguori-The Private Industry Council (PIC)

Brick, New Jersey

Kim works tirelessly to fill the need we have in getting our Special Needs students paid work experience. The Private Industry Council (PIC) of Ocean County is a partnership of organizations that work collaboratively to provide services to both job seekers and employer customers. Their main goal is to connect skilled employees with business in the community. Without PIC, funding would not have been secured to pay our Special Needs students to work as in-school youth. This program is unheard of in the United States, as funding is typically held for out-of-school youth. Ms. Liguori and her staff work tirelessly to ensure that our special needs student have an outlet to find productive work in our community.

Jennise Nieves-K.E.Y.S. Academy

Brick, New Jersey

Ms. Nieves has opened K.E.Y.S. Academy, which is the second recovery high school in New Jersey. It currently serves students from Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. Their mission is to provide an academically innovative and supportive environment which will serve to eliminate the achievement gap for adolescents who have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and are seeking a sober, healthy lifestyle. The school was visited by personnel from the state evaluation unit and they were extremely impressed with the progress of the students. Student attendance is averaging 97% currently and grades are improving. Parents see hope in and for their children again and more importantly the children themselves now are living purposeful lives. Mrs. Nieves’ leadership has been instrumental in getting this program running and serving students suffering from addiction.

Save our Shores (SOS) Saco Bay

Saco, Maine

Save our Shores (SOS) Saco Bay is made up of volunteers who are committed to protecting our community’s shoreline. Saco Bay’s shoreline has been in peril for years, with erosion causing multiple homes to be lost to the ocean as well as major infrastructure damage. In the past few years, SOS Saco Bay has brought together elected officials from all levels of government to fight for this cause. They have been crucial in educating the public about these issues, setting up symposiums and conferences that have included many subject matter experts and elected officials. The group demands that changes be made to better one of the most valuable natural resources in our community. With their help, progress has been made in forming a plan for remediation. The communities of Saco Bay are grateful for your unyielding dedication to our shores.

Matt Pluta

Cambridge, Maryland

Matt Pluta from the ShoreRivers organization leads the Cambridge Clean Water Advisory Board. He has volunteered to help the city to organize listening sessions for both businesses and residents on issues of importance to the community by going out of his way to find facilitators and venues. In addition, he is always advocating for the health of the Choptank River through his work with ShoreRivers and as our waterkeeper. His advocacy in addressing clean water issues here and in neighboring Talbot County has helped to achieve positive outcomes for our community, the Choptank River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Sgt. Antoine Patton

Cambridge, Maryland

Sgt. Antoine Patton of the Cambridge Police Department goes the extra mile every day and is a hero to everyone who knows him. He has gone above and beyond to organize community events and efforts to improve the community such as cleanup days. While doing his work in the community, he always has the best attitude and helps out community members when they need help.

Bobby Blair/ JROTC

Huntington, Indiana

Bobby is the advisor of the JROTC in our high school. He is not only a great role model, but by his can do attitude and backing it up by volunteering himself as well as his cadets he sets the standard for youth in our community. His example of volunteerism is a goal of others involved to give of themselves for the greater good of our city.

Courtney Bonbrake

Huntington, Indiana

Courtney is an energetic visionary. She has the enthusiasm to tackle existing projects but also the ability to initiate new ideas. Her attitude is contagious to get others involved in our community. Her love of our community is showing in her dedication to serve.

Andrea Carbine & Veronique Rancourt

Newport, Vermont

Andrea and Veronique (Vera) joined forces to create a free summer
concert series in 2017, called ‘Wednesdays On the Waterfront (WOW)’. It missed
two years due to the pandemic, but has recently completed it’s fourth year.
Showcasing local talent this has grown to a highly anticipated event for the City of
Newport as well as surrounding communities. People come not only for the great
music but also to enjoy local restaurants and the beautiful scenery of Lake
Memphremagog. It is such an amazing event series that does so much for Newport
City that Andrea Carbine and Veronique Rancourt are the very definition of Extra
Mile Heroes!

AMANDA GUSTIN

Barre City, Vermont

Amanda Gustin went the extra mile for Barre City in the wake of the Floods of 2023 by organizing resident-led volunteer efforts in partnership with City Staff and an amazing team of dynamic women. They organized efforts that helped clean up Barre faster than would have been otherwise possible and connect residents and businesses with badly needed resources. She headed a team that collected and organized data, collected liability waivers forms, provided safety and work equipment, and put people to work helping neighbors across the city.

SHAWN TRADER

Barre City, Vermont

Shawn Trader, Executive Director of the Rainbow Bridge Community Center, went the extra mile for Barre City this year organizing the LGBTQA+ community and allies to open a flood resource center downtown. Each day after the flood, Shawn’s team identified community needs, put out calls for donations, stockpiled goods, and met the daily needs of City residents living without electricity and clean water. This work, including emotional support and hot meals, filled critical gaps and made recovery more accessible and convenient to flood affected friends, neighbors, and community members.

David Zelinsky

Placerville, California

David Zelinsky is recognized for many years of service to the community, caring for veterans, and advocating for fire safety and home hardening.