THE 1ST ANNUAL
VOLUNTEER OF THE Overall Winner !
VETERANS AFFAIRS Volunteer of the Year
Mike O’Dell (Pictured at left with Tampa Fisher House
Gillian Gonzalez (Pictured, Gillian is presented
Manager Paula Welenc and Foundation President David Coker.)
her award from Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher.)
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Fisher House
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Fisher House
Tampa, FL
Vietnam Veteran Mike O’Dell informed Tampa Fisher House manager Paula Welenc that he wanted to volunteer, “so I can show our wounded warriors, whether active or Veteran, that they’ll never be treated like returning Vietnam Veterans were.” In two years, Mike has more than fulfilled his promise to Paula and her families. A full-time student who also runs his own company, it wouldn’t seem like Mike would have enough time to volunteer. Well, 484 hours later, he's proven it's possible. In addition to being a phenomenal spokesman for Tampa’s Fisher House, Mike has helped organize any and all donations to the Fisher House, establishing procedures for easy identification of donations, and set up mobile shelving units in the off-site storage unit. Spending so many hours inside the Fisher House, Mike is incredibly knowledgeable about why Fisher Houses exist, how they operate and who they serve.
8
NAVY / MARINE CORPS Volunteer of the Year
The Patriot • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 2 • 2012
Bethesda, MD
Gillian Gonzalez’s volunteerism and involvement began with Fisher House in 1994 at the Fisher House at Travis Air Force Base in California. Active duty at the time, she was also a dedicated volunteer. She has watched the Fisher House program grow, and remains passionate about supporting the mission. A spouse of a retired Lieutenant Commander of the Navy, she has put in over 1,000 hours of volunteer time. She came on board at the Bethesda Fisher Houses when there were only two houses and has watched them grow into five homes for military families. Gillian has served as volunteer coordinator, helped out with office work, written articles for the Fisher House magazine, made repairs, assembled furniture, greeted guests and always has an ear to listen to guests in need. She relates to the challenges made by military spouses and always offers a compassionate shoulder.