alumnae news
Alpha Gam Honored by President for Volunteerism For Heather Shufelt, Gamma Omega–University of Alabama at Birmingham, President George W. Bush’s September visit to Birmingham, Alabama was a far more personal experience than most 25 year-olds typically encounter.
his travels throughout the United States with the award. Heather was most definitely a qualified candidate. She serves as a project coordinator for Hands On Birmingham, a volunteer program that has connected 3,800 volunteers to community service opportunities in the Birmingham area, and is also the youngest member to serve on the Board of Directors for the organization. But her volunteer work doesn’t end there.
Heather, a dedicated volunteer with Hands On Birmingham and a variety of other community service organizations, was presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award by President Bush as she stood along with local dignitaries under the left wing of Air Force One.
“I volunteer at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. I teach dance to inner-city “Once the plane landed, the youth. I help men and womPresident exited and walked en in local shelters prepare Heather Shufelt, Gamma Omega– down the stairs to greet the state for job interviews. I stood University of Alabama at Birmingham, governor and other local offiin a local parking lot and receives her award from cials, then he turned and walked raised over $300,000 for President George W. Bush. towards me,” recalls Heather. Hurricane Katrina efforts “He pulled a tiny box out of directly after the storm. his pocket and preI worked phone lines at sented me with a pin to honor me for my serlocal news stations taking calls from hurricane victims. v i c e a n d c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e c o m m u n i t y.” I helped organize the local YWCA’s ‘Dress for Success’ closet and helped get items donated and I served Heather learned of the honor just days before the Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army while President’s visit. “I actually found out that I was visiting my family in Lockport, New York,” says receiving the award through a phone conversaHeather, listing some of the ways that she accumulated an amazing 400 hours of volunteer work in 2005. tion with a representative from the White House while I was at work,” says Heather, who works as a Learning and Development Specialist at the BirNominated by the Executive Director of Hands mingham Operations Center of State Farm InsurOn Birmingham, Heather doesn’t see her spirit of ance Companies. “I was shocked and very excited.” volunteerism waning any time soon. “I think volunteerism is so important because we never According to the White House, the President’s Volknow when disaster or tragedy will strike in our unteer Service Award was created by the President’s backyard and we’ll need the help. There are so many Council on Service and Civic Participation. President fa m i l i e s , c h i l d r e n a n d a n i m a l s e a c h d a y Bush honors one volunteer, called the USA Freethat need someone to care for them and dom Corps Greeter, from each city he visits during to assist them…one person can make all the difference if you just try.”
Alumnae Initiates 12
Connie Snyder Epsilon Upsilon November 11, 2006
Keri Ann Wright Epsilon Upsilon November 11, 2006
Shirley Johnston Livingston Barbara Jo White Theta Omicron Theta Omicron November 12, 2006 November 12, 2006