A Note from VIP Supervisor Corina Sadler, CVA
Safely Serving Plano
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This summer has proven that the City of Plano truly is the City of Excellence. Staff and volunteers have stepped up to help each other safely while maintaining social distance and a renewed spirit of service. Rebecca and I are attending zoom meetings, answering calls from the community and enjoying email engagement with many of you. We have taken this time to reflect on the stories and people that make Plano a wonderful place to live, work and play, even during these unprecedented times. In this issue, you will find a special spotlight on our amazing teen volunteers, special recognition for special people, ways to give back and more reasons why we love Plano. We know you all have a story to tell as well. If you have made an impact on your community during this difficult year, we want to hear about it. Reach out to us and tell us what you have been up to. We continue to plan for new opportunities and look forward to serving with you again soon.
With gratitude,
Corina Sadler, CVA
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VIP Staff Member, Robert, Saves Lives
VIP staff member, Robert Gonzales, has continued to spend his volunteer time in service to the American Red Cross by driving needed blood, platelet, and plasma products to their destinations. From Dallas to Oklahoma he ensures lifesaving donations make it to patients in need. Thank you, Robert!
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Each year, Boy Scouts across Plano work hard to receive their top scouting award by their 18th birthday. Two Plano Scouts chose to collaborate with the City of Plano to complete their final projects. |
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Jacob Smith Supports Parks
In the Fall of 2019, Jacob partnered with Plano Parks and Recreation to complete his Eagle Scout project of painting several storage containers that now match and blend in with the natural environment at Enfield Park. Congratulations, Jacob!
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Evan Haasl Improves Neighborhoods
Earlier this year, Evan partnered with VIP for his Eagle project adding rear premise identification to 20 homes. These IDs ensure City and Emergency services can locate homes quickly. This initiative is part of the Love Where You Live program. Congratulations, Evan!
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Presidents Volunteer Service Awards |
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Each year teen volunteers who serve at least 100 hours and meet eligibility requirements are recognized with the Presidents Volunteer Service Award. The following students went above and beyond in their service to Plano and received this special achievement. Thank you all! You make us #PlanoProud. |
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Jameson Chen
Chakradhar Chireddy
Wenqi Ding
Forrest Foong
Briana Giancola
Nandha Khishoraa Gopikannan
Akie Kasai
Emma Kogan
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Marco E. Laos, Jr
Ann E. Laos
Hannah Zoe Madsen
Aditi Mungale
Hemal Pathak
Anurag P. Srivatsa
Devika Sunil
Jackson Taylor
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Stuck at Home but Still Serving
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While in-person volunteering was paused, Plano teens still had the desire to serve. VIP launched a new at-home BINGO style service game aptly named PINGO. A variety of tasks engaged teen volunteers in educational and fun activities that provided service to others. For each square completed, teens got one step closer to shouting “PINGO!” all while completing service hours. Thank you to our creative teens for participating in PINGO! |
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Shriya Jejurkar
Shriya has volunteered for 4 years and has given 260 hours of service. She spent her time shelving books at Davis Library and was selected as a Digital Creativity Intern with the Plano Public Library. Great job and thank you, Shriya!
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Azeeza Syeda
Azeeza has volunteered for the last 2 years and has given 323 hours of service. She has supported programs from many departments including libraries, summer camps and adapted recreation programs. Thank you Azeeza!
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Venessa Odera
Venessa has been working to help women in need get access to personal hygiene products through her charity “Period Packed.” She enlisted the help of her community and crowdsourced funds to purchase products, wipes and soap. After collecting materials, her family joins the fun in compiling packages and so far has delivered them to two Plano nonprofits, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, a domestic violence shelter and Agape - Resource and Assistance Center. Venessa plans to continue making an impact and distribute more packs to other shelters in the area. We are inspired, way to go Venessa!
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Library Volunteer Appreciation |
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Our annual volunteer appreciation event for the Plano Public Library went virtual this year. Staff gave special thanks to their dedicated volunteers. We also shared memories and congratulations with volunteers who achieved milestone anniversaries and received special recognitions. Thank you to everyone who made this hour special! You can watch the presentation here.
Volunteer of the Year: Akie Kasai (pictured above)
15 Years of Service Award: Charlene Babb
10 Years of Service Award: Joyce Baumbach, Judy Binder
5 Years of Service Awards: Ruth DeNamur, Rakesh Swaroop, Mimi Serrao
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Interurban Railway Museum Keeps On Chugging
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Museums across the country are patiently waiting for their visitors to return. The staff at Plano’s downtown museum have been working diligently to provide online story time and an outdoor exhibit. Their volunteers also completed the translation of museum brochures from English to Spanish and transcription work.
With the cancellation of this year’s Hike Through History, the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation instead held Haiku Through History, inviting the public to share a haiku about Plano’s history. One of the winners was Plano Public Library volunteer Andy, along with his mother Marian. All the winners received a copy of the books, "Plano's Hidden History" and "Haunted Plano." Congratulations Andy and Marian!
Andy Poe
Plano nature trails
Bygone folk once roamed this land
We walk together
Marian Poe
Feathers, veils, ribbons
Along Plano’s rutted streets
Historical hats
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Animal Shelter Volunteer Shines Online
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Plano Animal Shelter volunteer, Beth Felker, is simply the cat’s meow! She was featured in Some Good Plano News (SGPN) where she chatted about her 11 years of experience as a foster volunteer for the Plano Animal Shelter. Beth not only fosters cats in her home but also trains new foster volunteers, cleans kennels and socializes cats. She’s the perfect person to help someone find a new kitty friend. Check out the Some Good News episode featuring Beth here.
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Plano Community Gardeners Donate Produce |
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Plano Community Gardeners and garden apprentices in the Live Green in Plano program have continued harvesting and donating fresh organic produce to local food pantries. Their time and talent fulfills the garden's mission of providing for those in need despite the challenging times. Every week, an average of more than 100 pounds of fresh produce is delivered to local food pantries. The gardener's efforts were even featured in episode five of Some Good Plano News (SGPN). Way to go gardeners! You all are so RADish!
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Police Alumni Association Helps Their Neighbors |
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When the call comes in, Plano Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (PCPAAA) is ready to answer. This group of dedicated volunteers deployed across Plano as a part of PMAP (PCPAAA Members Assisting Plano). These volunteers delivered food, wheelchairs and other supplies to residents in immediate need during quarantine. Thank you PMAP volunteers for serving Plano! |
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Live Green in Plano staff and volunteers send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of volunteer, Min Shin Ma. Min Shin joined the volunteer program in January and made quite an impact as a volunteer. Min Shin completed the Master Composter training program and adopted a plot at the Plano Community Garden to help provide fresh organic produce to families in need. Min Shin was a joy to be around and brought so much enthusiasm and passion to the care of his adopted plot. A fellow gardener shared that Min Shin was very interested in trying a variety of plants in his plot and loved being at the garden. Min Shin will be greatly missed.
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Heather Merchant, Sustainability & Environmental Education Manager has retired from the City of Plano after nearly 25 years. She leaves behind a lasting legacy. Heather's vision and passion led to both the creation of the Sustainability & Environmental Education Division, and the Live Green in Plano Volunteer Program.
Heather was instrumental in the creation of the Environmental Education Center building and garden, the Nature Explore Classroom and Trail and numerous other esteemed accomplishments. Heather's dedication to environmental education has received national attention and has made Plano a thought leader in sustainability. Thank you, Heather for your dedicated service to Plano and for always being a champion for volunteerism.
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Take your Friendship with the Library to the Next Level |
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We know many in our community look forward to supporting the libraries by attending the annual Friends of the Plano Public Library Book Sale. While this year’s book sale has been cancelled, the library continues to provide services and programs to support the wellbeing of our community. For those who would still like to support the library, you can make a donation directly to the library, or become a Friends member at any level.
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Go Nuts and Spread the Peanut Butter Wealth |
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The Collin County Peanut Butter Drive creates awareness about food insecurity in our community and collects a needed shelf-stable, kid-friendly protein for our hungry neighbors. The 2020 goal is 220,000 pounds of peanut butter physically and virtually! This year it is easier than ever to participate because you can donate funds directly to the North Texas Food Bank or purchase peanut butter online and have it sent to their doorstep. Join this cause by learning more here.
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