Lisbon Honors Community Partners & Volunteers

Lisbon School Department Superintendent, Administrators, Teachers and Staff honored its Volunteers and Community Partners for contributing 20,264 hours of assistance during the 2014-15 school year.  Since 2004, 1,194 volunteers have been trained by Community Resource/Volunteer Coordinator, Monica Millhime. The outstanding volunteer for the school year was Lisa Caron who contributed  2,010 hours of community volunteer assistance.  Caron is a member of the Lisbon Adult Volunteer program and has served as treasurer of the Parent Action Group at Philip W. Sugg Middle School (PWS) and the Lisbon Community School (LCS).   “Lisa began assisting as a Lisbon Volunteer when the two Lisbon elementary schools merged in 2004.  She is an exceptional volunteer and a dear friend,” shares Millhime.  Lisa was honored with top honors with The National Presidential Awards in 2005 and 2014 with 332 hours and 2,445 hours respectfully.  “We are extremely fortunate in Lisbon with the number of hard working people who enjoy giving back to their community and schools,” shares Millhime.   Pictured (l-r) Lisa Caron, Lisbon’s Volunteer of the year,  and her daughter, Paula.  The dynamic mother/daughter duo both were awarded The National Presidential Volunteer Service Award.   Photo courtesy of Steve Sharp.

Lisbon – On Thursday, May 7, the Lisbon School Department honored their Community Partners and Volunteers for their assistance of 20,264  hours of community service during the 2014-2015 school year.   Celebrating the milestone of achieving over 1,000 trained volunteers in the Lisbon School District volunteers, community partners, administrators and staff enjoyed a night filled with pizza, fun and celebration.   

Superintendent of Schools, Richard Green, welcomed close to 100 guests in attendance and commended their dedication and willingness to assist Lisbon students, teachers and staff.  In an effort to keep the night on a positive note, despite the current budget issues within the town and the school department, the Appreciation Committee invited guests to participate in a movie trivia contest of the ever-popular video, Shut Up and Dance. 

  Guests were given a worksheet to identify the 88 different movie clips and a chance to win a prize at the end of the night.  The excitement built throughout the evening with a number of door prizes and the anticipation of who would be receiving the top National Presidential Awards. 

“Since 2004, the Lisbon School Department has been aligned with the prestigious National Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program,” commented Monica Millhime, Lisbon’s Volunteer and Resource Coordinator.  “The program recognizes adult volunteers achieving over 100 hours of service.  Recipients receive a letter from the President of the United States, an award certificate and a National Volunteer Service pin.  Volunteers and community partners contributing up to 100 hours and partnership opportunities in Lisbon received a Lisbon School Department Certificate of Appreciation,” said Millhime  “Lisbon volunteers pride themselves on viewing their volunteer services as a central part of their lives.  

Each and every time a volunteer assists with a project, whether it is in the classroom, tutoring, working on yearbook assignments, assisting as a reading buddy, chaperoning on a field trip, working from home on a special project, baking, or assisting in the office, our volunteers are making a difference in our schools for the benefit of our students, shares Millhime.    “We have generations within families who all volunteer.  Our program continues to grow in surrounding communities with a number of people joining our volunteer program.  Over the last 11 years, the galvanized force of 1,194 Lisbon Volunteers donated 172,639 volunteer hours,”  shares Millhime.
 

A standing ovation was given to Lisa Caron, for contributing 2,010 hours of service to the Lisbon Schools and greater community and to Millhime for her outstanding dedication to the volunteer program.  “Our volunteers donate their time not for the awards, but to make a difference in our community and set an example for others,” commented Millhime.  A total of 42 volunteers earned The National Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.  

In addition to Caron, the Gold Presidential Awards was earned by Trisha Thebeau, Shauna Walls and Deb Weddle.  Silver Presidential Awards for contributing 250 to 499 hours were earned by Roland Grondin, Angela Shambarger, Heather Parker, Carol LeClair, Christina Gagne, Annette Wilson, and Emma Wilson.  Suzanne Miller, Kathi Yergin, Sue Bornstein, Jeff Miller, Donna Rimiller, Nichole Sautter, Paula Caron, Jennifer Libby, Lorraine Bard, Doug Sautter, Carol Day, George Caron, Jonathan Carsley, Dean Willey, Jim Millhime, Amy Dudar, Amy Austin, Scott Wilson, Kelly Wade, Candace Barrett, Ron Hood, Pearl Scribner, Paul Barrett, Jonathan Pollack, Aspen Mikella, Amanda McDonough, Donna Thiele, and Gary Hauger all earned the Bronze award for contributing over 100 hours.  

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to Chuck Cox, Meghan Craig, Heather Cronin, Connie Fowler, Janice Grondin, Hillary Kuhl, Kymberlee Piela, Mike Piela, Shannon Rich, Greg Shambarger, Sara Thiele, Cathy Williams, Glen Williams and Jerry Yergin.  

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to media partners Great Falls TV, Sun Journal, Times Record, Twin City Times, Turner Publishing, Lisbon Reporter,  WCSH, WGME, and WMTW. 

 Community partnership certificates of appreciation were awarded to the Town of Lisbon, Lisbon Library, Lisbon Federal Credit Union (George Roy and Selma Basic); LCS PTO, PWS PAG, LHS PAG, Lisbon Music Boosters, Lisbon Athletic Boosters, Sam’s, Steve Sharp Photography, Topsham Grange, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Lisbon Police Department, Town of Lisbon Transfer Station (Marcel Obie), Lisbon Fire Department, and the YMCA.   

A special thanks to Arby’s Restaurants, Benoit’s Bakery,  Chummy’s Mid Town Diner, Greater Portland Landmarks, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lisbon House of Pizza, Portland Dine Around, Tangles Hair Salon and Thatcher’s Restaurant for their support of gifts and certificates for the banquet.  

“Lisbon School Department is extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people willing to assist in our school district.  The amount of time they contribute truly makes an impact in our community,” shares Superintendent Green. 

FMI on the Lisbon volunteer and partnership program call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org. Visit Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools on Facebook for the latest news and projects planned throughout the Lisbon School District.

  

MONICA M. MILLHIME