28 Feb 12 Vote for the 2011 Dover Post Great Person of the Year

Here are the nominees for the 2011 Dover Post great Person of the Year. (As always, we’re keeping the names of who nominated each person to ourselves.)

to vote for the person you feel most deserves this honor, fill out the 2011 great Person of the Year ballot and either drop it off at our office, 1196 S. Little Creek Road, Dover, or mail it to Dover Post great Person, P.O. Box 664, Dover, DE 19903.

the deadline for receiving the ballots at the Post is noon Friday, Feb. 10.

As with any contest, there are a few rules. They are:

• we accept only original ballots; no faxes, emails or copies of ballots.
• Only one ballot per person
• Fill out all three slots: first, second and third place; incomplete ballots will not be counted.

In alphabetical order, the nominees are:

Renee Bullock, Dover, Director, Mom’s House of Dover

I would like to nominate Renee Bullock who is the director of Mom’s House of Dover, a non-profit organization. the organization provides free daycare to single parents who must be registered as full-time students in either high school or college so that they may continue their education. As the director of Mom’s House, she oversees a professional staff and qualified volunteers to operate a licensed daycare center. Bullock manages and coordinates all aspects of the program. She is a very caring person and wants only the best for the students as well as their children. She wants them to have a better life and challenges them to be the best they can. Classes are given at the house, which incorporates healthy living and lessons on how to raise children.

Jeff Davis, Wyoming, Police Officer, City of Dover

Jeff Davis, a city of Dover police officer, is a respectable and good-natured man. he is always pleasant and his hilarious sense of humor is quite entertaining. In addition, when it’s time to be serious, he takes care of business. Davis is simply an overall great person who makes a difference in the lives of others on a daily basis. Anyone who is familiar with his personality knows that he is truly deserving of this great Person Award.

Paul Davis, Woodside, President, Vietnam Veterans of America, Delaware State Council

Paul Davis is dedicated and works tirelessly to help others, especially veterans. he is a war veteran, so he is very empathetic to other vets. he is also president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Delaware State Council. Davis has given many of his hours to help raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Park in Dover. I have personally seen him give his time to all of these causes and many other community groups.

Here are the nominees for the 2011 Dover Post great Person of the Year. (As always, we’re keeping the names of who nominated each person to ourselves.) to vote for the person you feel most deserves this honor, fill out the 2011 great Person of the Year ballot and either drop it off at our office, 1196 S. Little Creek Road, Dover, or mail it to Dover Post great Person, P.O. Box 664, Dover, DE 19903. the deadline for receiving the ballots at the Post is noon Friday, Feb. 10. As with any contest, there are a few rules. They are:

• we accept only original ballots; no faxes, emails or copies of ballots.
• Only one ballot per person
• Fill out all three slots: first, second and third place; incomplete ballots will not be counted.

In alphabetical order, the nominees are:

Renee Bullock, Dover, Director, Mom’s House of Dover I would like to nominate Renee Bullock who is the director of Mom’s House of Dover, a non-profit organization. the organization provides free daycare to single parents who must be registered as full-time students in either high school or college so that they may continue their education. As the director of Mom’s House, she oversees a professional staff and qualified volunteers to operate a licensed daycare center. Bullock manages and coordinates all aspects of the program. She is a very caring person and wants only the best for the students as well as their children. She wants them to have a better life and challenges them to be the best they can. Classes are given at the house, which incorporates healthy living and lessons on how to raise children. Jeff Davis, Wyoming, Police Officer, City of Dover Jeff Davis, a city of Dover police officer, is a respectable and good-natured man. he is always pleasant and his hilarious sense of humor is quite entertaining. In addition, when it’s time to be serious, he takes care of business. Davis is simply an overall great person who makes a difference in the lives of others on a daily basis. Anyone who is familiar with his personality knows that he is truly deserving of this great Person Award. Paul Davis, Woodside, President, Vietnam Veterans of America, Delaware State Council Paul Davis is dedicated and works tirelessly to help others, especially veterans. he is a war veteran, so he is very empathetic to other vets. he is also president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Delaware State Council. Davis has given many of his hours to help raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Park in Dover. I have personally seen him give his time to all of these causes and many other community groups. Dr. Michael Einhorn, Dover, 436th Dental Squadron, U.S. Air Force the events of Sept. 11, 2001 impacted more than new York City. Prior to Sept. 11, the dental community and the Dover Air Force Base dentists had a great relationship. there were many shared continuing education events and the base accepted numerous Polytech High School dental co-op students for training. after Sept. 11, the Dover dental community was restricted from the base and the military personnel were refocuses strictly to the base and Air Force mission support operations. Lt. Col. Eric Cathey, Einhorn’s commander, allowed him to re-open the base-community relations this past year. there have been numerous combined continuing education events on and off the base. Additionally, Einhorn has participated with others in the Polytech High School Craft Advisory Board program. Einhorn has led the way and both the base and local community are better for it. Gene Errera, Dover, Volunteer at close to 80, Gene Errera volunteers his time to the Telephone Pioneers and the VCF Ruritan Club in Viola. With the Pioneers he helps build wheelchair ramps for the needy and repairs talking books for the Library for the Blind. With the VCF Ruritan Club, he is the clubs assistant secretary but he does far more for the club that anybody knows. Whether it’s helping with the club’s dinner events or taking care of the club’s building, Errera just seems to be there to help. Errera is a beekeeper, a home gardener, as well as a “Jack of all trades” he is a good friend of both the young and the old always taking time to help and give good advice to those in need. John E. Foltz Jr., Dover, Farmer John Foltz and his wife Janet are chicken farmers and good stewards of the land. John Foltz is amazingly energetic and donates his time, money and advice to numerous community events and projects, including the Amish Bike Tour refreshment station. Julie Gorman, Magnolia, Physical Therapist, Edelman Spine and Orthopedic Julie Gorman is a physical therapist with Edelman Spine and Orthopedic at Wolf Creek in Dover. I feel she is a great person because she is a kind and compassionate physical therapist and works mainly with patients that have acute and chronic back pain. She is always genuinely concerned about her patients’ overall health and goes out of her way to make sure that if a patient needs to see her, she is available. Yvonne Gourley, Dover, Volunteer Yvonne Gourley always thinks of others before she thinks of herself. She has helped many parents take care of their children while they work. She has also cared for a lot of elderly – those that are sick and those that can’t do for themselves for some reason or another. She doesn’t know how to say no. She has been involved with her church, Sunday School and community, doing anything they asked of her, since she was a young teenager. She is full of love and you see it in all that she does, all of the time. Gourley has had plenty of hurdles that she’s had to overcome throughout her life and she has never let any of them get her down. She is fighting for her life at this time and, with the love and prayers of the lives that she has touched, she will make it through. Michael J. Harrington Sr., Dover, Realtor Over the past 30 years that Mike Harrington Sr. has owned and operated a successful real estate business, he has been a factor in countless transactions that have resulted with people owning a piece of the American Dream – their own home. Since 1979, through his relocation company and related companies, he has created employment for 120 people. In may 2011, through Harrington’s leadership, Harrington Realty successfully completed the 8th Annual Harrington Realty Golf Tournament, which has raised over $450,000 for local charities in Kent County to include Mom’s House, the Boys & Girls Club, Delaware Hospice, the Salvation Army, MDA, the Murphey School, Habitat for Humanity, the American Heart Association and Delaware Guidance Services. In 1986, Harrington co-chaired the Heart Ball to raise funds for the American Heart Association. now in its 26th year, the Heart Ball has become one of the premier events in Dover raising over $2.6 million net to date. In addition to being community-minded through service and contributions, Harrington is a member of the Downtown Dover Partnership, assisting numerous small businesses to get their start and flourish. Harrington is also a member of the Delaware Real Estate Commission. Mike Hudson, Kent County, Kent County paramedic Mike Hudson performs miracles every day, but he really performed a miracle we were witness to in the early morning hours of may 29, 2011. we measure our lives by years, our calendars are a month of days, on our clocks the hours and minutes fly by. the seconds in our lives are truly what matter most. one of those seconds will live with our family forever, and that is the second we met Hudson. we would like to personally have Hudson recognized and thank him for being there to save the life of our mother and wife, Cora-Marie Yoder. Hudson’s actions in the early morning hours that day spared her from certain death. if ever we experienced first-hand, the work of God in placing someone with us, Hudson was that person. His parents and family must truly be blessed to have him in their lives. we know our family is blessed to have him was with us on that early morning. Hudson’s dedication, experience and caring shined through each time he stopped to ask how things were going, as he brought others into the emergency room that morning. Hudson’s job is one in which he was there for moments, yet leaves us with the gift of our loved ones by our sides once again. Herbert Konowitz, Dover, Co-founder, Dover Interfaith Housing Mission Herb Konowitz has played an integral part in the founding of the Dover Interfaith Housing Mission. he serves as a member of their board, helps the residents find employment, and if needed, drives them to and from appointments. Konowitz also arranges for food to be donated to the shelter so that the men can eat daily. he seeks volunteers to purchase and prepare food for holidays. this year more than 40 men were served during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. Konowitz is the past president of Congregation Beth Sholom of Dover, and still is an active member of the board of directors. he also serves as the state chairperson of SCORE DE, a voluntary business counseling organization to small business. he coordinates and directs work of more than 30 volunteers-. for the past several years he has been vice-president of Frederica Senior Center, and recently has become the director of sales and membership for the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce. Cathi Kopera, Dover, Director, Dover Interfaith Housing Mission Cathi Kopera runs and oversees the Dover Interfaith Housing Mission. Dover Interfaith is a men’s shelter that secured its permanent address in Dover almost two years ago or so on Forrest St. Kopera is dedicated and committed to the men that come through the shelter, giving her time selflessly on a daily basis. She not only oversees the shelter and its daily functions, but is hands-on in offering any and all types of support to the residents, including transporting them, helping them find jobs and even visiting them in the hospitals. Her pet Riley is the shelter mascot! Kopera really gives all of herself to seeing those that are disadvantaged find shelter, safety and stability. What she offers is far more than just a warm, dry bed. She offers hope, encouragement and a better, brighter future to those who are fortunate to know her. Mike Kopp, Dover, President, Latter Day Saint’s Church, Executive Director, Elizabeth W. Murphey School Mike Kopp is the president of the Latter Day Saints Church. He’s also in charge of the Murphey School for children. I’ve known him and his family for about eight years, Kopp has looked after me ever since my husband died in 2004. he and his family have adopted me as part of their family. if anyone needs anything, he is there to help in any way he can. he has helped me in so many ways. he is a good father, husband and granddad. he sure loves his grandchildren. Kopp helped me move into my apartment. if I need food, all have to do is call him and he’s right here with a bag or a box. I’ve been in his home for Thanksgiving dinner and also Christmas dinner. I have no family at all, but I really thank God every day for Mike Kopp, the Latter Day Saints Church and my Lord Jesus Christ for giving me beautiful friends. Kopp is a very busy man, but I owe him so much. he doesn’t ask for anything in return, he’s just that way. Kathy Lessard, Dover, Chairperson, Social Concerns Committee, Holy Cross Church Kathy Lessard is a wife and mother as well as the chairperson of the Social Concerns Committee at Holy Cross Church in Dover. In this capacity, she is the coordinator of the Samaritans Food Pantry. the pantry (and the community-in-need it serves) has been thriving under her care. She is actively involved with the Interfaith Shelter for the Homeless in Dover, and she organizes the Caring for Life program in may and October of each year. She oversees the prison ministry, a Holy Cross outreach program to help released inmates and she also visits current inmates on a regular basis. Lessard has the ability to multi-task because of her organizational skills and outstanding personality. She truly is a great person. Brian E. Lewis, Dover, Founding member, Ancient Order of Hibernians Brian Lewis volunteers a lot of his time assisting members of the community that are less fortunate. Lewis volunteers helping the homeless residents at Interfaith Mission for Housing in Dover, disabled children’s organizations, abused women’s shelters, neglected animals at the Kent County SPCA and mentors children for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Delaware. Lewis believes that if he is able to succeed in helping one person and making a difference in his or her life, that it’s all worthwhile. As local founder of a non-profit charitable organization in Dover, called the Ancient Order of Hibernians, he has guided and led the group into playing a vital role in trying to improve the community by giving back their time and resources to those in need. Between juggling his family and working the midnight shift, he voluntarily serves on different community boards where he tries to make sure the residents, youth and taxpayers are represented and treated fairly. to say the least, he is a champion for the less fortunate and those who don’t have a voice. Dottie Manlove, Dover, Veteran Dottie Manlove is a caring mother. She loves doing for others. She served her country for three years and came home to make a home for her husband and their family. She’s been here for my sisters and me even with me incarcerated. we love you mommy. Rick Sammet, Dover, Pharmacist, Walgreens at Eden Hill Medical Center Rick Sammet is “your friendly Happy Harry pharmacist” at Walgreens in Eden Hill Medical Center. he is the most caring and friendly person I have ever had to the pleasure of meeting. he is not just a pharmacist; he is a friend, confidant, insurance fighter, doctor’s office translator, etc. if you need him to, he will explain the medication, how to take it, and what the side effects might be. No matter how bad a day he is having he will greet you with that special smile and make you feel like you are the only one in the world he is caring for.  he will go above and beyond what is needed – including giving his blood. Donna Smith, Harrington, Division of Employment and Training Donna Smith works for Division of Employment and Training in Dover to help others who is trying to find work in this economy. When Smith isn’t working, she is an International Master Psychic Counselor who helps thousands of people with everything from jobs to health and much more. When she is called to do charitable events, especially for breast cancer, she donates her money for the cause. Smith is a 62-year-old woman who loves life and also puts everyone’s needs ahead of hers. She is a grandmother of five girls and one boy and she also has one daughter and two sons. I know she is a great person because she does everything in her power to make sure that others appreciate what she does. Michael L. Snyder, Dover, President/Chaplain, Veterans United Outreach of Delaware, United States Air Force, retired Michael Snyder helps vets and their families, never tiring, never asking for help and never stopping, even while working a full-time, demanding job. he has strong faith and loves everyone. Rick Spence, Dover, Proprietor, Spence’s Bazaar Spence is a born-and-bred hometown guy who has lived in the Dover area all his life. he is a compassionate man always ready with a willing smile, a wave and a warm hello for those he meets each day. He’s known by many in the area, as you can more than likely find him at Spence’s Bazaar helping to continue his family’s legacy, repairing jewelry, buying coins, or doing what pleases him the most, playing jokes on the unsuspecting people that cross his path. And yet he’s always ready to lend a helping hand should someone need it or volunteer for local organizations. Spence is a respected businessman, a CIA-certified jeweler, a numismatist, an auctioneer and a handyman. But most importantly, he is an all around good person, a loving son, brother and uncle. he is a true friend and my loving and caring husband. Philip Steinhoff, Dover, Band director, Saint Thomas More Academy Philip Steinhoff is a dedicated family man and a wonderful husband, a great father and a caring son-in-law. he is a professional musician, a personable gentleman and one who is willing to give back to the community not only his time and talent, but also his leadership. Steinhoff is band director at St. Thomas More Academy. he is also the director of the Milford Community Band. the band performs concerts free of charge. he is also the assistant conductor of the Dover Symphony Orchestra and directs the senior choir at the First Baptist Church of Dover. he also sings in the Chrysalis Choir. Steinhoff is music director of the annual American Baptist Men’s Retreat held in Shippensburg, Pa. he has also served on many boards and committees of the First Baptist Church in the past and is presently serving on the Board of Trustees. With his many contributions to God, his church and to the community, I feel Phil Steinhoff is worthy to receive the 2011 great Person Award. Jacqueline Sudler, Marydel, Community mentor Jacqueline Sudler is a person that cares for everyone. She has a heart to give to everyone. She also babysat all the children in the neighborhood. I picked Sudler because she has a heart of joy. She would go miles out of her way to help others. She has kids of her own and grandkids too. Sudler loves to cook and enjoys helping seniors that can’t help themselves. She goes to church and loves her church family. She is everybody’s grandmom and nanny. She says in life to believe and pray, because God loves all his kids, she says. She also tells kids to go to school and be good.