Volunteers needed to help community organizations

You Can Help:

Several Community Awards winners appealed to the public for volunteers. They included:

- The Cupcake Brigade " This organization is completely anonymous and provides birthday cupcakes to children whose parents aren't able to do so on the child's birthday. "The children are just so happy to find out someone thinks they are special," said Deb Tull, organizer.

Contact: Deb Tull at enoskid@sbcglobal.net or 885-2485.

- Mentor Center of Western Nevada " The center pairs youth with adult and older teen role models. Mentor of the Year winner Larry Messina encourage others to participate, calling it a "very rewarding program."

Contact: Director Ruth Gordon at 445-3346.

- ESL In-home program " Volunteers help participants learn to speak, read and write English. Many have gone on to become U.S. citizens and pass their GED exams.

Contact: Director Florence Phillips at 888-2021.

Friends In Service Helping " About 100 volunteers now serve this organization that provides a variety of services ranging from a kitchen to serve the homeless to a low-income clinic. Monte Fast was named Citizen of the Year for his service to the organization. Sheriff Kenny Furlong referred to Fast as "the most gentle man I've ever met."

Contact: FISH at 882-3474.

Winners of the 2008 Community Awards are:

Artist of the Year

Elinor Bugli

Athlete/Sportsman of the Year

Zack Rispin

Citizen of the Year

Monte Fast

Educator/Administrator of the Year

Mary Garey

Employer/Employee of the Year

Robert Vogel

Humanitarian of the Year

Florence Phillips

Mentor of the Year

Larry Messina

Organization of the Year

Cupcake Brigade

Public Servant of the Year

Lora Myles

Student of the Year

Gloria Sosa

Volunteer of the Year

Rose Marie Painter