By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Communities thrive for many reasons, but without question, at the top of the list would be the time, effort and enthusiasm provided by volunteers.

The people who step forward to help simply because they want to.

Because they care.

In some cases, they step forward because nobody else will.

They do it for the love of their community and for the families that call it their home.

They do it with energy and enthusiasm, almost always with a smile on their face.

The best volunteers simply do it because they want to do it.

It is never about the money.

It is never about notoriety.

It is never about how many hours they dedicate.

It is never about the spotlight either, but today that is exactly what they are getting.

I proudly announce my 4th annual Volunteers of the Year.

ELLEN ARENA

Role: Field statistician and scorebook keeper for football and basketball.

Special spotlight: Arena has been involved with Field athletics for a remarkable 53 years. She retired from Field Middle School in 2008 after a long career as a language arts teacher, but has remained supportive of the Falcons ever since. Even today, you will still find her in the press box on Friday night for football games and at the scorer’s table for Field’s boys and girls basketball games.

What they are saying: “She is reliable, cares deeply about the Field community and donates more time than almost anyone,” Field athletic director Aaron Male said. “Nothing stops her from attending sporting events. I have known Ellen for a very short period of time, being new to the community, but everyone I have talked to has nothing but great things to say about her. It has been very apparent to me that she is completely devoted to the Field community, and we are lucky to have her.”

JOHN HOFFMANN

GARY TWARDZIK

Role: Garfield High School public address announcers.

Special spotlight: Twardzik has announced girls soccer games for more than a decade, even though his daughter, Emma, graduated in 2014. He drives 45 minutes each way to support the G-Men.

Hoffmann announces boys soccer, junior varsity football, middle school football, varsity football, boys basketball and more.

What they are saying: “Gary always brings great energy and humor to our games,” Garfield athletic director Jim Pfleger said. “John has also helped us run several wrestling tournaments and matches. I’m fortunate to spend several nights a week in the fall with John in the press box, and he is always extremely prepared and professional for our events and brings energy and excitement to our games.”

JOSH SCHOENBERGER

Role: Rough Rider All-Sports Boosters President.

What they are saying: “Josh has been instrumental in the rebranding of RRASB the last three years,” Kent Roosevelt athletic director Ben Dunlap said. “His leadership and love for the Kent community is very evident in everything he does. Josh and the rest of the RRASB board work tirelessly to meet the needs for all student-athletes in Kent City Schools.”

RON RICK

Role: Mogadore boys basketball scorebook keeper, statistician and scout.

Special spotlight: Rick has been part of the Wildcats’ athletic framework for more than 30 years. He has worked with youth football, youth baseball, youth basketball and high school basketball, just to name a few.

What they are saying: “Ron has been a personal friend of mine for many years,” Mogadore athletic director Steve Lutz said. “He grew up here, played sports here and is very knowledgeable about Mogadore athletics, as well as sports in general. He is a true Wildcat.”

KARRIE STROH

Role: Ravenna’s head of concessions at the stadium and high school.

What they are saying: “Karrie dedicates countless hours to the school for the betterment of our student-athletes,” Ravenna athletic director Jim Lunardi said. “She juggles many things in her life, but she always has the time to head the concessions so we have a stream of income to help defer the cost of new uniforms.

TRACY GIULITTO

Role: Rootstown athletic booster club member for more than 10 years.

Special spotlight: Giulitto sells 50-50 tickets at all home football and basketball games, solicits donations for the school’s annual reverse raffle and golf outing, helps with the annual boys and girls alumni soccer games and regularly attends booster-club meetings.

What they are saying: “Tracy is an individual that few communities can match,” Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch said. “She has a son who graduated in 2017, but still gives countless hours every year to our booster club and athletic department, despite not having a kid in school. We are truly blessed to have an individual who cares so much about our school district. We can’t thank her enough for her generous gift of time each and every year.”

ALI ABOUL

Role: Southeast concessions.

Special spotlight: Known as the “Fry Guy” at the concession stand for 10 years. He volunteers at all games played at the Southeast High School stadium.

What they are saying: “Our french fries are one of the top sellers inside Freedom Field,” Southeast athletic director Patrick Youel said. “He is here every night of the week, as well, making hot dogs and working the window at all events in the stadium. What makes this even more special is that his daughter graduated four years ago. He doesn’t have a student in our school district, yet he still cares deeply about the schools and the booster club to donate his time — sometimes up to five nights a week. He is one of the many reasons that Southeast Local Schools is such a special play, with so many special people.”

FRANK DIEHL

Role: Streetsboro football game night assistant.

Special spotlight: Diehl steps in to help with the game day experience for the Rockets’ home games. He serves as a game liaison for officials from the moment they arrive until they leave the stadium after the game. Diehl, who has lived in Streetsboro for 50 years, has volunteered in this role for 24 seasons.

What they are saying: “Frank handles his responsibilities in a very professional manner,” Streetsboro athletic director Randy Tevepaugh said. “He has built relationships with the officials assigned to our games for several decades. He is well respected among his peers and our community. He’s just a great person.”

STEPHANIE FOSTER

Role: Waterloo Athletic Booster Club Secretary.

Special spotlight: Foster has coordinated the hospitality and food service at all of Waterloo’s wrestling events for more than a decade and is always available to help the district’s student-athletes, even if her long-hour work days keep her from sleep in exchange for her volunteer time.

What they are saying: “Stephanie is a very special person,” Waterloo athletic director Mike Devies said. “Thereis no job that she wouldn’t do tohelp out the kids and the school. Time and time again she has stepped up whenever we needed help, and she never asks for anything in return. Her selfless service to our community doesn’t go unnoticed, and we are truly blessed to have someone like her to support our kids.”

KATHY GUTHERIE

Role: Windham athletics ticket booth coordinator.

Special spotlight: Gutherie is a familiar face at all Bombers sporting events, including football, volleyball, boys basketball and girls basketball. She has volunteered for the Bombers for 48 years. She retired from the district after serving as a secretary and athletic secretary. She was inducted into the Windham High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 and is still giving back to the community.

What they are saying: “It’s been great having Kathy working the gate for athletic events,” Windham High School athletic director D.J. Gross said. “It’s always great to see her, and she does a great job for us. We can’t thank her enough for her contributions to our district over the years.”