Volunteer Honor Roll
To recognize the important contributions of volunteers to non-profit organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and the community at-large, United Way for Southeastern Michigan presents the 2023 Volunteer Honor Roll. Honor Roll members were nominated by organizations and fellow community members who recognized the differences each of these volunteers have made in our community. Read more about the work of volunteers in our community here!
Susan Betterly
Lighthouse of Michigan
Susan has dedicated an indescribable amount of time, knowledge, care and kindness to and has been essential in improving the lives of those we serve.
John Bland
Developing Kingdoms in Different Stages (K.I.D.S.)
For over a decade, John has chaperoned field trips, supported with event set up and clean up and mentored. He is also a donor and advocate for Developing KIDS with his community, network and family members.
Ann Bonds
Leader Dogs for the Blind
For the past 3 decades, Ann has committed to helping people who are blind or visually impaired achieve a life of independence through her dedication to helping and raising Future Leader Dogs in Rochester Hills.
Albert Boswell
LifeChurch Riverside Detroit
Al is an advocate for young black men to have the support they need to get to college, and to graduate from college.
Torion Bridges
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Torion is a community leader, community advocate and always puts people first.
Mary Brown
Vista Maria, VM Reads
Mary’s unwavering dedication to serving vulnerable youth, combined with her love of reading, has changed hundreds of lives and created a generation of young book lovers.
Deema Bunni-Basil
Center For Success Network at Brilliant Detroit
Deema is inspiring students to learn in a way that represents themselves and their interests. She is able to fuel their eagerness to discover what ignites their passion and it translates in their reading level increasing to then above grade level.
Jerry Chamberlain
Oakland HOPE
Jerry has been a volunteer since May 2020. He also collects and recycles over-ripe pantry produce and drives out to a farm several times a week.
Carrie Conkright
The Senior Alliance
Carrie goes above and beyond to serve seniors in our community through our various programs.
Jacob Dall
Kids On The Go
Jacob is an asset to our organization as a volunteer and represents the belief we have that a diagnosis does not define a person.
Mark and Julie Dinger-Sanders
Community Volunteers
Mark and Julie are the Dream Team volunteers who bring as much hilarity and kindness as they do expertise…and we would be lost without them!
Kathy Emrich
First Step
Kathy is helpful, dedicated and kind! She’s a great support to our clients and staff!
Ron and Cynthia Epperson
Reaching and Discipling, Inc, Hope Care and Beyond
This couple loves people and understands the importance of the human connection, especially for those in the refugee and immigrant community who have often had to flee their home countries due to war, persecution and natural disasters.
Jacqueline Felix
Center For Success Network at Brilliant Detroit
Ms. Jackie is a true testament to how you can continue to make your dreams a reality if you simply go for it and ask questions, break barriers and keep learning everyday! She shares this with her students she mentors 4 hours a week.
Mike Ferris
The Senior Alliance
Mike showcases the importance of giving back to others and continues to go above and beyond to make sure every client on his holiday meals route gets their meal!
Shadora Ford
Destined for Greatness Mentoring
Shadora and her non-profit exist only to better lives and communities within Detroit. Empowering people to make good choices and healing households to build a stronger foundation of people is what makes Shadora’s work so life-changing.
Michael and Sara Frank
Community Volunteers
Mike and Sara do whatever they can to help end food insecurity and food waste in metro Detroit with a smiling face and a loving heart!
Skylar Rose Gilliam
Detroit Hives
As our “Nurse Bee Mentee” Skylar Rose helps assist our urban bee hive tours through our Bee The Change Program. She loves educating youth her age on the importance of pollinators.
Mary Jo Halcin
CARE House of Oakland County
Mary Jo is a kind soul who greets clients during some of their toughest times, and provides invaluable resources to those who call our facility.
Addie Harper
Wholistic Living Community Development Corporation, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Americorps, National Kidney Foundation, REACH, The Movement, Girl Power Rules, SAGE
Addie has always encouraged and supported others to volunteer, move forward in their education/trade and be the best version of themselves.
Olivia Harrington
Center For Success Network at Brilliant Detroit
Olivia is only 14 and pledges to be a community hero, and she already is! She is a volunteer mentor to 2 students and positively contributes to her community!
Elise Herner
Center for Success Network
Elise has been a trusted and dedicated mentor to a student for three years, and brings so much joy to their learning journey.
LaTrice R. Herring
Encourage Me I’m Young, Bates Academy, Your Inspired Journey, Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, Head Start, City of Detroit Recreation Department
A tireless advocate, active parent and results-oriented supporter; LaTrice is a frontline steward of community excellence and the well-being of others.
Charles Hodge
The Senior Alliance, Area Agency on Aging 1C, Oakland Hope Food Pantry, Blessings in a Backpack, Gleaners Food Bank, Pontiac Meals on Wheels, Community Housing Network, Lighthouse of Oakland County
Since 2009, Chuck has volunteered as a Certified Counselor with the Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program to help beneficiaries save on drug costs.
Tammara Howard
Eastside Community Network, Good Stock Detroit, LEAP Coalition
Tammara has volunteered countless hours at ECN to help the organization by sitting on committees, helping at events, servicing for the community, putting on annual health fairs, setting up her own resiliency wellness hub, working with neighborhood youth and starting her own non profit.
Denise Hurd
Oakland Literacy Council
Denise has opened the door to brighter futures for adult immigrants during the last eighteen years by gifting them with the ability to speak and read English.
Nidhi Ikkurthy
MYVA -Michigan Youth Volunteering Alliance
Nidhi’s mission is to positively impact people’s lives and encourage others to do the same . She has been successful in leading MYVA and encouraging youth to volunteer enhance their teamwork and leadership skills.
Aimon Islam
APIA Vote MI, Michigan Asian Pacific Americans Commission
Aimon has volunteered extensively and tirelessly with various AAPI organizations in southeastern Michigan to ensure that all socioeconomic needs of the community are met.
Lenae Jefferson
The Konnection
Lenae is a total blessing! She’s committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the students succeed and have what they need. She won’t stop until she knows each student is ok. She is AMAZING!
Tara Johnson
Community Volunteer
Tara is an amazing volunteer with many skills.
TaNisha Laury
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Tanisha is so excited and motived to support a space for scholars.
Maryetter Lindsey
Detroit Hives
Maryetter is a committed pollinator in our community. For over 6 years, she has been a faithful volunteer – helping to assist with our garden sites, planting flowers and assisting with community beehive tours.
Lakenya Melton
Peace at Home Childcare,LLC, Community Fairies Foundation, Inc
Lakenya is our commUNITY art therapy fairy!
Ava Mickens
Community Volunteer
Ava embodies the importance of giving back to her community.
She has been taught at an early age to find her purpose and leave her imprint by serving others.
Kelly O’Neill
Mint Artists Guild, Great Lakes Arts Foundation
Kelly O’Neill’s creativity, professionalism and drive show up every time she volunteers, whether she’s registering guests or leading a marketing workshop.
Bob Pick
Oakland HOPE
Bob is one of our favorite volunteers. With a smile and a joke, Bob shows up every day to run the food pantry scale, build boxes and wrangle our paperwork in a very busy pantry that serves over 12 thousand families, seniors, veterans and immigrants with free groceries each month.
Loretta Powell
Eastside Community Network, Neighborhood Detroit, Unaffiliated (Little Detroit Community Garden)
Loretta has committed her time and energy to various projects in the community, including organizing volunteers, spearheading the growth of a local community garden and establishing a lending library. These all demonstrate her dedication to making a positive impact in Detroit.
Lovely Pruiett
Submerge,LLC, Peace at Home Childcare, LLC, Community Fairies Foundation, Inc.
Our Community Fairy of Divine Touch, she takes care of others when they are in need of a sistah friend, massage or a listening ear.
Molly Robinson
Pope Francis Center, Holy Name Parish
Molly is a dedicated, compassionate volunteer serving guests with not only her “5-star treatment” but also the joy, energy and hope she brings into the center every day she serves on a weekly basis.
Carmen Sanchez
The Children’s Center
Carmen is a dedicated Homework Help volunteer. Through weekly tutoring sessions over the past 2 years, she has provided growth, both socially and academically, for the child she works with.
Cel Rose Solak
Veterans Administration
Rose has committed herself to a lifetime of serving veterans and others. She is the epitome of what paying it forward means. Thank you for all you have done for others and given back to your community!
Al Strane
Life Church Church of God in Christ
A former professional baseball player, Al Strane is motivated to mentoring the youth, sharing the love of God, and giving back to the community.
Linda Whitaker
Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, Matrix Human Services Artworks fundraiser, The Pierians Detroit, Torch of Wisdom Foundation
Linda consistently and creatively gives of her time, her talents, her art and herself to support Mint Artists Guild and our youth artists.
Kristin Whitfield
Center For Success Network at Brilliant Detroit
Ms. Kristin, a volunteer mentor, recommends any mentor take on another student, and get creative! “You never know, I truly mean that from my heart, what wonderful things can happen when you open up your heart just a little more to children.”
Rob Zarza
The Senior Alliance
Rob goes above and beyond to support seniors in the community and truly believes in the importance of giving back to others! This is shown through his dedication and volunteerism.
In-Kind Donations Provided by
