Nominations for the Mary Good Humanitarian Service Award

The Fairfield County Family and Children First Council created a tribute to Mary M. Good for her years of compassion and service to the community on behalf of children and families.

Mary M. Good was a teacher with the Lancaster City Schools, Christian educator at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, park leader with the United Way Summer Park program in Pleasantville, Peace School coordinator, social worker, scout leader, and so much more.  Mary had a passion for children and the arts.  Mary’s life was cut short in January of 2002, leaving a void in the Lancaster and Fairfield County community.  It is hoped that this award will encourage and recognize others who share Mary M. Good’s zest for children, for life and for taking the “road less traveled”.

The Mary M. Good Humanitarian Service Award will go to someone who exemplifies Mary’s dedication to the cause of nurturing and protecting children and families by his/her day-in and day-out efforts in the Fairfield County community.  This person can be a paid employee, a volunteer for an organization, an “everyday citizen,” or a combination of these characteristics.  In whatever role, the winner will be someone who has regular, direct contact with children and families, and personifies the principles for which Mary stood.  Sometimes such a person is described as “front-line” or “grass roots,” as opposed to being an administrator or executive or policy-maker.  The nominee must be a Fairfield County resident.

The recipient will be someone

· who has demonstrated a commitment to achieving positive results for the children and families with whom he/she works by, for example, going the “extra mile” in providing service.

· who recognizes that service to families and children is not a “9-5” job, someone whose work blends with their daily life.

· who has persevered for the “long haul” to make a difference in the lives of people who live in Fairfield County.  In other words, the Award will not be considered a “lifetime achievement” award going only to someone at or near the end of his/her career.

The Council recognizes that our community is blessed with many tireless workers who meet this description and who add, little by little, day by day, to the achievement of one of our community’s most important desired outcomes – better lives for children and families.  The award judges are being asked to consider a group of “unsung heroes,” and somehow choose the most deserving “unsung hero”.  Their task will be difficult.

Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4 p.m.  Click here to download the nomination form.