INSIGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS
June Volunteer of the Month
John Borokhovich has been a Cleveland Sight Center volunteer since August of 2007. As a Hawken high school student, John was seeking to earn community service hours towards graduation. After speaking with a close friend who also volunteers at our organization, John registered as a volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center and continues to remain active to this day. Some of the volunteer assignments John has been involved in include assisting with the Eddie Baccus jazz concert, as well as helping clients who are blind and visually impaired as they participate in Sight Center recreational activities. John was also of tremendous assistance in preparing to showcase Cleveland Sight Center in University Circle’s annual Parade the Circle.
When asked to describe a memorable experience as a volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center, John stated, “Helping Sight Center clients is very worthwhile – all of my experiences with them have been quite memorable.” In addition to the many hours John devotes to the Sight Center, he also enjoys reading, video games and is an avid Science Fiction enthusiast.
We at Cleveland Sight Center proudly recognize John Borokhovich as our spotlight volunteer for the month of June, and sincerely thank him for his many hours of dedicated service to our agency thus far!
May Volunteer of the Month
Marilyn Bennett has been an enthusiastic and devoted volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center since August of 1994, after retiring from the Jewish Community Center where she worked as a resident activity coordinator for 30 years. She quickly became active and originated a monthly book discussion group for clients which continues to meet each month. Marilyn also formed the Sight Center Players, a group of actors and aspiring thespians who after fourteen years are still going strong. She leads drama groups at Cleveland Sight Center’s Highbrook Lodge Camp during its summer sessions.
Marilyn is an advocate for clients to self-actualize through recreation. She spends countless hours researching theatrical presentations and working with clients here at the agency and at camp readying them for their next performance. She works closely with staff to recruit clients and get them involved in the many aspects of theatre from reading to providing sound effects. When asked to cite a memorable experience as a Sight Center volunteer, Marilyn said that after just two years of leading the drama program, a client expressed to her that she and the Sight Center Players had given her a reason for living. Marilyn’s passion for live theatre and her enthusiasm are contagious, and she states that she is truly humbled with each performance they give.
She has served as a Sight Center Trustee, chaired the Recreation Advisory Committee, and after stepping down several years ago continues to serve as a committee member. She was also instrumental in initiating the “400 line” which is a call-in line for clients to find out about upcoming recreation activities at Cleveland Sight Center. On May 1, Marilyn Bennett received the prestigious Arline B. Pritcher Award for Direct Community Service at the National Council of Jewish Women’s annual Volunteer Recognition program at Temple Emanu El.
Cleveland Sight Center is proud to recognize Marilyn Bennett as our Spotlight Volunteer for May 2008, and we sincerely thank her for 1,200 hours of dedicated service thus far.
April Volunteer of the Month
George Connell has been a volunteer for Cleveland Sight Center’s sailing program since December 2003. As a skipper, he taught numerous people with vision loss how to sail including every aspect of crewing that takes place on a sail boat. While leading his crew, George always demonstrated the utmost patience and kindness toward our clients who courageously pursued sailing as a means of rehabilitation and recreation. George currently chairs the Sailing Advisory Committee whose focus is handling the day to day responsibilities of the program, scheduling sails, clean-up and repair of the boats and organizing the duties of each skipper, mate and sailor. George’s true commitment to this program and the people we serve has helped the Sight Center to fulfill its mission to empower people with vision loss to reach their full potential.
When asked to recall an experience as a volunteer skipper George replied, “One year we had a boat set sail right before the coast guard issued a small craft warning. It started raining and the wind was blowing upwards of 45 mph. I tried to call the boat on the radio but there was no answer. I was very worried. After some time had passed, I decided to call the Coast Guard when all of a sudden the boat appeared over the horizon. Everyone was okay despite the wind and water damage that occurred on the boat.”
George Connell is an active donor at Life Share Blood Banc. He has made 65 white blood platelet donations for cancer patients, and will continue until he reaches his goal of 100. Prior to volunteering, George worked as a professional painter and was a member of the Painter’s International Union Local 505. He served 4½ years in the Marine Corp and performed a tour of duty in Vietnam returning to the states in 1969. George enjoys crafts, building and fixing things, in addition to painting and gardening. For his volunteer efforts at Cleveland Sight Center and in the community, George has been named United Way’s 2008 Spotlight Volunteer.
Cleveland Sight Center is proud to recognize George Connell as our April Volunteer of the month and thank him for 243.5 hours of dedicated service to our organization.
Image from BigStockPhoto © Junaed