Marcella Harris Award for Community Service

A tireless worker for the betterment of peoples' lives, Marcella was a strong advocate for the handicapped, underprivileged and mentally impaired. She joined Janet Wattles Mental Health Center in 1964 and spent over 30 years assisting clients to improve their lives. Marcella had great impact encouraging young people to strive for their best. The Harris-Kennedy group home was named in her honor. She gave many years of service to community boards and committees. Some of the awards she received included a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Social Workers, Woman of the Year by the National Council of Negro Women, the Rotary Clubs 'Service Above Self' award and over 50 years as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a sorority committed to the service of mankind. Marcella once stated, "I don't perceive myself as being influential, I do what I think I have to do to live in this community; if it's measurable and carries impact, that's fine, but it's not why I do it." This award is given to a woman who has given exemplary service on a volunteer basis to the community.
 

2008 Winner

Ruth Fairchild
Nominated by Zion Lutheran Church

Ruthie is described as “a tireless leader who works with every fiber of her being to bring hope and transformation to individuals, families and neighborhoods of our community.” She works as an Outreach Coordinator at Zion Lutheran Church. However, there is no denying that what Ruthie does is much more than a career, but a journey to empower people to help themselves and she is especially focused on families. It is evident through the stories her supporters shared that she doesn’t just touch lives, she changes them and the dynamic of the community at the same time.

Past Award Winners

2007 Holly Hanson
2006 Kathy Kwiat-Hess
2005 JoAn Shaheen
2004 Jody Goff
        Alice Elizabeth Uphouse
2003 Barbara Prochnicki
2002 Faye Marcus
2001 Cindy Lynn Ostergard
2000 Ruth Little
1999 Barbara Berman
1998 Nadine Pitney
1997 Barbara Verni-Lau
1996 Vi Burden
1995 Gloria Cardenas-Cudia

 

1994 Nancy Olson
1993 Roberta Ingrassia
1992 Joyce Way
1991 Kathryn E. Zenoff
1990 Barbara Roman
1989 Alice Heath
1988 Fleur Wright
1987 Tressa Anderson
1986 Colleen Holmbeck
1985 Judith Picus
1984 Ethel McGreevy
1983 Vivian Hickey
1982 Vivan Johnson
1981 Betty Johnson