May 2012- The St. Louis Public School District recently honored more than 300 volunteer groups and individuals with a special celebration. Wells Fargo Advisors provided the elegant setting for the event by donating its Courtyard space at its building on Market Street. Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Joseph C. McNeal, a St. Louis Firefighter and District volunteer.
The celebration included inspiring performances by Central Visual and Performing Arts High School students Anthony Bedford, Amber Lunceford and Brandi Harris-Stokes. Wells Fargo Advisors President Atul Kamra welcomed the guests and offered his thanks for the many hours of volunteer service provided to the SLPS students by those in attendance. Serving as the Keynote Speaker for the evening was Becky James Hatter, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
Each of the volunteers in attendance dedicated from 50 to 1500 hours of service to the students of the St. Louis Public Schools since the beginning of this school year. They have served as tutors, as coaches, and as mentors. The volunteers have helped build gardens, taught chess, and greeted students each day, among many other things.
The District recognized 35 individuals for volunteering 200-499 hours. In addition, the following volunteers were recognized for serving from 500 to 949 hours: Barbara Cooper, Zoleaykah Whittaker-Rush, Marvin Echols, Latosha Hampton, Larry Davis, Betty Moore, Betty Lewis-Barry and Mary Sutherland.
A special award was presented to Linda Tisdale in recognition of reaching the 950 hour level in volunteer hours.
The Office of Volunteer Services also presented the Stellar Award to individual area congregations for providing outstanding support to St. Louis Public Schools children in measures that far exceeded traditional volunteering. Receiving the Stellar Award were: Second Presbyterian Church, August Gate Church, Lafayette Park United Methodist Church and Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.
