Museum Volunteer Honored for Volunteerism with Golden Hoosier Award
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and FSSA Secretary Michael Gargano
Present Five Indianapolis Residents the Golden Hoosier Award
Award honors Hoosier seniors for their volunteerism
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| (l-r): Faith Laird, Director, Division of Aging, Family and Social Services Administration, Museum volunteer Mildred Dent, and Lt. Governor Becky Skillman |
Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Secretary Michael Gargano of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration presented Melvin Bloom, Donald Bradley, Betty Crowe, Mildred Dent, and Darwin May, all from Indianapolis, with the Golden Hoosier Award. A ceremony, recognizing the 24 Hoosier senior winners, was held at the Normandy Barn on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Melvin Bloom received his award for his volunteer work with Elder-Friendly Communities for more than three years. Bloom teaches seniors Spanish and Spanish culture. He often takes seniors to local restaurants to practice speaking in Spanish.
Donald Bradley, a retired IPS teacher of 33 years, volunteers 8-9 hours a week at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Bradley prepares and teaches lessons, is president of the senior usher board, works nearly every church event, and works in the food pantry serving the 46260 ZIP code.
Betty Crowe is a role model to others, proving that you can continue to give to your community no matter your age. The list of organizations that she has served is lengthy and includes St. Vincent Hospital, Clarian Hospital, Volunteers for Youth, Girls, Inc., YMCA, Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana, Tech High School Teen Pregnancy Program, Ivy Tech College Outreach Advisory Committee, 500 Festival Committee, Indiana State Textbook Commission, Campaign for Healthy Babies, and the Community Action Program.
When first volunteering in the Museum Store, Mildred Dent never imagined she would eventually give 5,470 hours over 22 years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Dent’s service is not limited to the museum; she serves her church community, often visiting private homes and St. Francis and Community South Hospitals to deliver communion to those unable to travel. In addition, she is an excellent cook who has donated hundreds of meals to her parish members and others in the community who might otherwise go without food.
Darwin May volunteers for 100 Black Men, where he works in the financial literacy program teaching high school students about business and finance. Additionally, he serves as a chairperson for Universal United Methodist Church trustees and is a board member for Stonegate Early College High School. Other groups May has volunteered for in the past include the Ronald McDonald House, Indianapolis Repertory Theater, Washington Township school board and various housing and community development programs.
“Melvin, Donald, Betty, Mildred, and Darwin are a few of the countless Hoosiers who serve our state and the community daily, never asking anything in return,” said Lt. Gov. Skillman. “The individuals we honor today are leading by example and showing us what it means to be a genuine friend and neighbor.”
The Golden Hoosier Award is a collaboration between Lt. Governor Skillman and FSSA that began in 2008. It is considered one of the highest honors given by the state to seniors, and recognizes individuals who have never received a state award before.
“We are pleased to join Lt. Governor Skillman in recognizing these outstanding senior Hoosiers,” said Michael Gargano, secretary of FSSA. “Their dedication to public service ensures that Indiana will continue to be a great place to live and to work.”
Candidates for the award were nominated by Area Agencies on Aging and local organizations.
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