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 5th annual Volunteers of the Year.

GREG POLLOCK

Aurora

• Role: Media coordinator for Aurora football (18 years).
• Special spotlight: Pollock not only serves as the Public Address announcer for the home football games, but he also crafts an in-depth media guide for each of Aurora’s games. He also readily steps forward to help in a variety of ways throughout the season, including the postseason when the district receives a heightened number of media requests.
• What they are saying: “Greg is the reason journalists want to come to Veterans Stadium on a Friday night,” Aurora athletic director Paul Powers said. “When a media member steps into our press box, they have everything they need for the night to write their story. He takes pride in his work and makes my job easier.”

DAN MASCHEK

Crestwood

• Role: Youth baseball and wrestling coach (11 years).
• Special spotlight: Maschek has worked within the district’s youth baseball and wrestling programs for more than a decade. In addition to coaching, he has opened his home to families by remodeling his garage attic into an “athletic retreat” that features turf surface, batting cage and wrestling mats.
• What they are saying: “Dan’s patience and organization have helped numerous teams,” Crestwood athletic director Brittany Dye said. “We are fortunate to have someone like Dan, who understands that sports should be used to help our kids become better, well-rounded individuals by instilling confidence and a sense of work ethic. Dan has a wealth of knowledge and at a time when many youth programs are focused on winning at all costs, Dan cultivates an atmosphere where the journey and growth are more important than the outcome.

BERNADETTE MOORE

Field

• Role: Big Red Community Foundation director.
• Special spotlight: Alongside parents, community members, alumni, teachers and coaches, Moore has helped direct the Big Red Community Foundation, which was launched in 2010 to raise funds to support the longterm betterment of the district’s athletic facilities through private fundraising. In 15 years, the foundation has raised more than $500,000 and readily supports groups from youth through high school.
• What they are saying: “Bernadette, along with the Big Red Community Foundation, is beyond committed to our student-athletes,” Field athletic director Aaron Male said “She has supported our community in countless ways, ranging from academics to athletics to greater community needs. Field Local Schools is extremely thankful to have her as part of our community and to benefit from her unmatched dedication.”

DAN PETERSON, DON BURROWS, PHIL BRITTON, ZACH BRITTON, DAN LIPSTREU

Garfield

• Role: Football chain gang (21 years).
• Special spotlight: The quintet have worked together as the Friday night football chain crew for more than two decades. Recently retired Gene Semplak was also part of this group.
• What they are saying: “They are a great group of guys, who have been part of the program for years and make Friday nights a breeze for our officiating crews,” Garfield athletic director Jim Pfleger said. “We have received multiple compliments from officiating crews about their professionalism.”

KELLY FOREMAN

Kent Roosevelt

• Role: Rough Rider All-Sports Boosters (RRASB) Community Outreach and Public Relations Coordinator (5 years).
• Special spotlight: Foreman, who has also been a teacher in the Kent City Schools for 27 years, spearheads a RRASB program that served 1,500 meals to student-athletes last year and also connects sponsors to the school’s athletic programs. She is also the director for the largest fundraising events for both the football and basketball programs.
• What they are saying: “Kelly’s dedication to Rough Riders athletics and the Kent community can’t be overstated,” Kent Roosevelt athletic director Ben Dunlap said. “She volunteers countless hours to ensure that student-athletes have great experiences and make lasting memories. You will consistently find Kelly organizing team dinners, Senior Nights and end-of-season celebrations.”

JUSTIN AND RACHAEL STRATTON

Ravenna

• Role: Ravenna Athletic Booster Club.
• Special spotlight: The Strattons are essential for support at every level of Ravenna athletics. They are core leaders in fundraising, event coordination and providing resources to teams.
• What they are saying: “Justin and Rachael are the heart of Ravenna’s athletic community,” Ravenna athletic director Jim Lunardi said. “Their passion and commitment to our student-athletes is unmatched. They give freely of their time and energy and their efforts have strengthened the connection between our schools and our community. We are truly grateful for everything they do.”

MICHAEL KLEM

Rootstown

• Role: Rootstown Youth Football & Cheerleading (8 years).
• Special spotlight: Klem has served as the organization’s president for the previous five years, but has been involved for a total of eight years. He also volunteers as a Rootstown Hot Stove baseball coach. Klem helps organize and coordinate the Rootstown youth football program’s annual pig roast fundraiser, and he also acts as the Public Address announcer at youth football games.
• What they are saying: “Mike is willing to help out at the drop of a hat,” Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch said. “He’s a Rootstown grad (1998) and just wants to give back when needed. Mike’s son has been out of youth football for three years, but Mike continues to put in the time for our youth football and cheer programs, its coaches and our community. He has also announced and run the clock at middle and high school football contests. We can’t thank him enough for his generous gift of time over the past eight years.”

SCOTT SIMMONS

Southeast

• Role: Public Address announcer and Sound Technician (3 years).
• Special spotlight: Simmons works every Friday night home football game and also serves as the emcee at SPACE’s annual Sportsman’s Raffle. He has helped enhance the district’s sound system at Freedom Field.
• What they are saying: “Scott is the Voice of the Pirates. His work for me and the athletic department is invaluable,” Southeast athletic director Patrick Youel said. “He has worked hard to help me enhance and make the sound system at our stadium much better. I never have to worry about the PA work on a Friday night, and he makes it a point to work cooperatively with our band, athletic department and others to make sure that all of the announcements at a Friday night football game are handled.
• “He adds an incredible atmosphere to our game nights and is awesome at his work. He doesn’t have a player in the football program, but still does this because of his passion for Southeast. At the Sportsman’s Raffle, there is obviously so much that goes into that event, that I can’t even begin to describe. However, if you have been to the event itself there are a ton of moving parts and as the Emcee of the Event, he keeps it organized and running smoothly. The thing I am most thankful for is he is a very successful wedding DJ. He gives up wedding dates and events to make sure that he can cover our football games and to do the Sportsman’s Raffle. That is an incredible gesture and is the genuine, selfless person he is. We are all very lucky to have Scott be the Voice of the Pirates. I appreciate him very much.”

SCOTT CLARK

Streetsboro

• Role: Youth basketball, baseball and softball volunteer (15 years).
• What they are saying: “Scott has played an integral role in the advancement of our youth basketball, baseball and softball programs,” Streetsboro athletic director Randy Tevepaugh said. “He has dedicated countless hours to make sure the youth programs are well organized and operated efficiently so our kids have a great experience.”

BRIAN TACKETT

Windham

• Role: Weight room supervisor (35 years).
• Special spotlight: Tackett opens and supervises the Bombers’ weight room nearly every single day after school, all year round, even during the summer. He has also spent time as a junior-high football coach and high school football scout and game day volunteer.
• What they are saying: “If you know anything about Windham and our school, then you know that it is not easy to become one of us if you are from somewhere else. Brian (a Wadsworth graduate) is a Bomber,” Windham athletic director Dougle Hankins said. “He has done, and continues to do, anything that is asked of him by any of our coaches. He is the epitome of serviceship and volunteering.”