WESTFIELD-Mayor Brian Sullivan had a tough job on Tuesday night in front of a packed City Council Chambers, but noted with his final decision, there are no losers, only winners.
Mary Jane Stec and Lester Walshin were chosen Volunteers of the Year by Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan during a ceremony Tuesday night at City Hall. Stec and Walshin were among eight nominees through the Non Profit and Volunteer Network of Greater Westfield.
The council chambers were filled with friends, families and colleagues as eight volunteer nominees were feted at the annual Volunteer of the Year awards ceremony of the Non Profit and Volunteer Network of Greater Westfield (NPVN). Sullivan had to choose two recipients of the eight nominees for Volunteer of the Year awards.
Barbara Trant, who founded the NPVN, was the moderator and introduced each representative from the nominating organization who in turn spoke eloquently about their nominee. Nominees were Noel Stella, Westfield Community Education; Laurie Matthews, Salvation Army; Colleen Brenzel and Mary Jane Stec, Volunteers in Public Schools; Tania Vancini and Lester Walshin, Westfield on Weekends, and Tom Fiske and Les Gladu, Stanley Park.
“This is one of the most gratifying events I do,” said Sullivan. “I thank you all for what you do for our local organizations. There are no winners or losers, you are all winners because you step up and help others.”
Sullivan read proclamations noting that Stec and Walshin had been chosen as Volunteer of the Year recipients and their names will be added to a plaque in city hall.
Stec had been nominated by Darlene Fucci, first grade teacher, Southampton Road School.
“Mrs. Stec has been working in my first grade classroom for four years, and I can honestly say that she is my right arm,” said Fucci. “It’s hard to believe that Mrs. Stec will be 80 years young in September; she spends two and a half hours with us two days a week. She works tirelessly doing projects, not only for my classroom, but for the other three first grades as well.”
Mary Jane Stec receives a Volunteer of the Year award from Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan. Stec volunteers her time at the Southampton Road School.
Fucci added that Stec’s “creativity, efficiency, and loving nature” make her classroom a better place for the children to learn and grow.
“Her responsibility and dependability makes it easier for me to teach my students and keeps our classroom running smoothly,” said Fucci.
“I love the kids,” said Stec. “They are so young and want to absorb everything. I enjoy the job immensely.”
Trant had nominated Walshin because he had a “vision” for the city several years ago.
“Lester felt that Westfield needed classes for adults in the creative arts, including painting, watercolors, calligraphy, upholstery and chair caning,” said Trant. “He has worked with Westfield on Weekends, city officials, local artists and community members to realize this dream.”
Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan presents a Volunteer of the Year award to Lester Walshin who works tirelessly for Westfield on Weekends and in particular, Westfield Creative Arts.
The “dream” is now called Westfield Creative Arts and is an official program for Westfield on Weekends.
“With Lester Walshin as a valued volunteer and partner in community, Westfield on Weekends now has doubled its efforts to promote the arts and Westfield has a community space in its city center to celebrate the arts, artists and artisans of the Whip City,” said Trant.
Walshin spends 20 to 25 hours a week volunteering for Westfield Creative Arts to ensure its continued success.
“I just do whatever needs to be done,” said Walshin.
Throughout the evening ceremony, Trant stressed the importance of volunteerism and encourages others to share their stories which in turn could inspire others to consider lending a helping hand.
“Our nonprofit works with the city to get the word out about volunteerism,” said Trant.
Nominees were beaming with pride as each of their colleague’s spoke highly of their contributions. For Laurie Matthews of the Salvation Army, she was tearful as Wil Leslie, the Salvation Army’s extension director based in Canton, presented her with the Army’s prestigious Joseph “Joe” Barnes Memorial Award.
“This award is given to a volunteer who has a minimum of 10 years of outstanding service to the Salvation Army, as well as exhibits outstanding spirit,” said Leslie.
Emily Mew, Western Massachusetts field representative of the Salvation Army, had nominated Matthews for the award.
Mew noted that the Salvation Army had closed its office last fall in the downtown area and under a new model, volunteers were handling the office logistics.
Laurie Matthews, a volunteer of the year nominee representing the Salvation Army, was honored by receiving the prestigious Joseph “Joe” Barnes Memorial Award by Wil Leslie, service extension director, MA Salvation Army.
“Laurie dedicated hours and hours every day throughout November and December to make sure that those hundreds of families receiving turkeys, and Christmas gift assistance, continued to receive help,” said Mew. “Laurie handled all challenges with grace, patience and excellent management skills. Had it not been for Laurie, the Salvation Army would not have been able to provide this amount and quality of services during our 2015 year of transition. She is a natural leader and Westfield is very fortunate to have her.”
Matthews, who works 20 to 25 hours a week in the office now located at the Church of the Atonement, said it is important to give back to the community.
“It is important to me to be able to help others in need,” said Matthews.
Stella, a certified K-12 educator in the Westfield Public Schools, was feted for her weekly tutoring at the Westfield Athenaeum through Westfield Community Education.
“I really love teaching and students discover they have possibilities,” said Stella. “People try so hard and don’t give up.”
Brenzel was nominated by Mary Claire Manning from the Highland Elementary School as a volunteer with “great enthusiasm.”
“Colleen works primarily in the library,” said Manning. “Colleen performs a myriad of vital tasks that range from shelving books to directly working with students of all ages. She is dependable, dedicated and positive. Colleen has a warm and caring manner interacting easily with adults and children.”
“I love the kids,” said Brenzel. “My kids have gone to Highland so it gives me a chance to be involved. I feel privileged to be involved with the schools.”
Vancini, serving on the board of Westfield on Weekends, was nominated by Trant.
“Tania has kept us organized with her comprehensive and accurate notes of our lengthy meetings as well as writing thank you letters, fundraising, and joining many planning committees through the years,” said Trant. “She volunteers at every event that she is able and has been a large part of the success of the organization since she became involved. With grace and good will, Tania continues to be a champion for Westfield on Weekends, never failing to be there for a cause she wholeheartedly supports.”
Vancini noted she is “very happy” to be a part of a group that advances the importance of culture and artistry in the city.
“It is a real privilege to be a part of the art and music community with wonderful, like-minded people,” said Vancini.
Bob McKean, director at Stanley Park, spoke highly of two volunteer nominees, Tom Fiske and Les Gladu.
“Tom has volunteered for the last three consecutive years here at Stanley Park for anything we’ve asked of him,” said McKean. “Tom represents Stanley Park in a positive way, park patrons and the other volunteers really enjoy him. He is always willing to do anything that is needed to make our events successful.”
McKean added that through Fiske’s volunteering, Mass Mutual, his employer, supports his volunteerism by making donations to an organization of his choice.
“Being a lifelong resident, Stanley Park has always been a part of my life,” said Fiske. “I enjoy the work behind the scenes.”
McKean also noted that Gladu is a “delight” to have at the park.
“Les is reliable and is passionate about the park,” said McKean. “He works hand in hand with the greenhouse staff, helping them to maintain the park’s amazing gardens, trees and other amenities.”
Gladu noted that Stanley Park is a “treasure” for the city.
“I love working outside in the dirt,” said Gladu. “I also work with a wonderful group of people.”
Barbara Trant served as moderator for the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award ceremony on Tuesday night at City Hall. She addresses the family, friends and colleagues of the volunteer nominees as the evening gets underway.
McKean added there is “nothing stronger than a heart of a volunteer.”
As the evening concluded, Trant thanked everyone for their contributions to their respective organizations and added she hopes their stories will inspire others to consider volunteerism.
For more information on NPVN, visit its Facebook address – Non Profit and Volunteer Network of Greater Westfield. Nonprofits are always welcome to join the organization. Annual membership dues are $25 which allows for guest speaker workshops on subjects applicable to all and for participation in promoting volunteerism and nonprofit work in the area.
