The first Lasallian Volunteers Awards Presented during Orientation 2010 at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ Thursday, July 29, 2010.
Honoring awardees who — in the spirit of Br. John Johnston, Br. Chris Bassen, and Br. Michael Farrell — embody the values of Faith, Service and Community. Each recipient was given a framed certificate along with a custom-made, hand-crafted bowl.
Br. Ed Gallagher received the Farrell Community Award
Br. Ed was chosen for being an inspiration and model of Lasallian Community for the volunteers, providing such positive coaching and mentoring to the St. Frances Academy, Baltimore LVs and supporting them faithfully.
The Farrell Award goes to a person who exemplifies the spirit of Brother Michael, who lived in shared community with Lasallian Volunteers for 10 years, and went out of his way to walk beside them, learn the intricacies of their stories & lives, and challenged their growth
“I can’t tell you how much I have been impressed by the quality, dedication, idealism of the volunteers that I have lived with,” Br. Ed tells us. “They have been such unbelievably good people. The volunteers have done a lot more for me and for the Brothers I live with than we gave them. I appreciate the tremendous sacrifices that you make, giving a year or two of your young lives to live with a bunch of old men. It’s wonderful. You’ve been a big help to us. I encourage all of you new volunteers to enter into this work with enthusiasm and bring the idealism that you have. Because as we get older, it’s easy for us to lose some of that fire. To be effective with the children, you’ve got to have fire and passion. And we need help from you to keep that.”
Tom and Joanne Darnowski received the Johnston Faith Award
Tom & Joanne were chosen for serving on the LV Advisory Board, thier generous financial help to Lasallian Volunteers and constant encouragement and support to those serving at Martin De Porres School, New York.
Tom & Joane are supporters of the Lasallian Volunteers who, through their time, talent and treasure, exemplify the spirit of Brother John. During his far-reaching years of service, Brother John was also an avid supporter of the LVs, and made it a point to stay connected, vocally-support the volunteers, and to meet them whenever the chance arose.
“Being a Brother, being associated with the Brothers, continuing to work in Lasallian Mission is something you don’t lose,” said Tom, as he spoke to a room filled with LVs and supporters. “There is probably nothing I would have done in the last 50 years, anyone I have been able to touch and help, and any ministry I’ve been on – none of that would have happened if I hadn’t said the first yes. Our presence here acknowledges that link. My hope for the volunteers is that if you let it get into you, resonate with you, it is something that you will never lose. It will help form and focus you for the rest of your life.”
Heather Ruple, 01-03, received the Bassen Service Award
Heather was chosen for her outstanding service at San Miguel School Providence as an LV, teacher, and now Academic Dean. She has continued service to Lasallian Volunteers as a mentor, retreat presenter and more. Her involvement in Young Lasallians and District projects also make her an inspiring choice.
An alumnus of the Lasallian Volunteers who has continued a life of service since volunteering, mirroring Brother Chris, who nourished and made real his dream of the Lasallian Educational Opportunities (L.E.O.) Center in Oakland, CA, which today continues to provide educational opportunity to “at-risk” youth and adults.
“This is a huge honor,” Heather said. “I am humbled. When I think over the last 10 years and the impact the Lasallian Volunteers have had on my life, when I think of the high points and the low points of my life and all those in between, Lasallian Volunteers and Lasallian family have been there and I am so grateful.”