The Volunteer Administrators’ Network (VAN) announces the winner of the Mary Merrill Award of Excellence, Pat Miley, Program Director for Connections Volunteer Center of Delaware County, a program of Helpline.  

This year’s winner, Pat Miley, is a leader in the field of volunteer administration.  Over her six year tenure as Program Director for Connections Volunteer Center of Delaware County, one of her greatest achievements has been significantly increasing the number of volunteer opportunities resulting in a 152% increase in the number of hours donated by volunteers.  In addition, Miley has served on the state planning committee for Make A Difference Day for two years, served as Vice President for the local Citizen’s Police Academy, been a Board Member (Treasurer) of the local Literacy Coalition, strongly supports and volunteers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and has been a presenter on the topic of volunteer management and board membership at numerous conferences and workshops.  With over 18 years experience in program development, training, and volunteer administration, Pat Miley is an outstanding volunteer and volunteer administration advocate and a deserving winner of the Mary Merrill Award of Excellence.  

The Mary Merrill Award of Excellence is presented annually to a corporate, public, or non-profit manager of volunteers for outstanding contributions to the profession of volunteer administration and the promotion of volunteerism. The award was named in honor of the enormous contribution Mary Merrill made to the profession of volunteer administration and to the Volunteer Administrators' Network of Central Ohio.  Merrill truly embodied excellence in volunteer administration, tirelessly serving as an advocate, mentor and leader in the field, locally, nationally, and internationally. By naming this award in her honor, VAN strives to always remember Merrill’s dedication, devotion, and passion to the field of volunteerism ultimately inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Past Award of Excellence recipients include:

2006 Christine Nardecchia, City of Dublin Ohio

2005 Sharon Wilkin, CVA, America Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services
2004 Laura Railing, CVA, American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services
2003 Emily Eby, Columbus Metro Parks
2002 Kathleen Dorcy, Ohio Department of Aging
2001 Stephanie Brehm, Seal Of Ohio Girl Scouts
2000 Norma Wetzel, Columbus Literacy Council
1999 Jane Federer, Federer Training Group
1998 Margie Gilbert, Capital University
1997 Jan Morgan Davison, The Ohio State University
1996 Kitty Burcsu, Governor’s Community Service Council
& Dale Safrit, Ohio State University
1995 Linda Hull, Goodwill Columbus
1994 Mary Merrill, Merrill Associates

The VAN Corporate Volunteer Champion Award is dedicated to recognizing for-profit organizations of any size that promote, recognize and are committed to employee volunteerism.

The Volunteer Administrators’ Network (VAN) announces Ashland Inc. as the winner of the Corporate Champion Award.

The Corporate Volunteer Champion Award is presented annually to a qualified candidate who has a business presence in Ohio and has policies and procedures that positively impact its community through its employees’ and associates’ contributions of time and talent.  The award recognizes for-profit organizations of all sizes that promote, recognize, and have a commitment to employee volunteerism.  Ashland Inc. was nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio for a corporate culture that supports a company pledge to be good corporate citizens every day by committing valuable time, skill and financial support to charitable organizations.

Ashland Inc. and its employees provide invaluable support to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ traditional and school-based mentoring programs as well as special events.  This year, 92 Ashland employees spent United Way of Central Ohio’s Community Care Day working on grounds-improvement projects at the agency’s Camp Oty’Okwa located in the Hocking Hills.  As Presenting Sponsor for the agency’s largest annual fundraiser, Bowl For Kids’ Sake, Ashland has contributed more than $100,000 since 2004. And, Ashland’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim O’Brien has committed himself to the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  These are just a few examples of Ashland’s deep-rooted commitment to community involvement.

 Being a global company, Ashland Inc. is committed to making a positive impact on communities around the world – changing lives for the better.  Ashland and its employees support a wide range of initiatives impacting education, the environment, health and human services and other causes.

Past Corporate Volunteer Champion Award Recipients include:

2006 Abbott's Ross Products Division

2005 JP Morgon Chase
2004 Huntington Bank
2003 Honda of America Manufacturing
2002 Nationwide