Since 1971, the Work of Heart Awards has honored community volunteers who truly make an impact.
For Dorothy Benson, winning the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award in 2010 was a lovely surprise that let her know she’s appreciated, but the gratitude and awards are far from the reason she started volunteering.
She volunteered selflessly because she believed it was the right thing to do.
She’s one of many people who has been recognized with the honor—the most prestigious at the E.T. York Work of Heart Awards, which pays tribute to an exemplary volunteer who sets high goals for the community. And she’s one of an even larger group of people to have been given a Work of Heart Award since its founding in 1971.
In 1968, President Nixon asked Dr. York to serve on the newly formed Board of Directors of the National Center for Volunteer Action, and during that time, he heard about national efforts to develop local volunteer centers. So, Dr. York suggested his Gainesville Rotary Club start a center like this for Alachua County. And they did.
This Volunteer Action Center helped train and teach volunteers to serve through community projects. The center recognized its volunteers, and as the recognition continued, the Work of Heart Awards formed. Courtney Quirie, Director of Volunteer Services at Haven Hospice, said the awards have allowed people to see how much volunteers do for the community.
The program has undergone many changes through the years, including new sponsorship, growth, and the passing in 2011 of the beloved man, Dr. E.T. York, who started it all. In his memory, the name changed this year from “Work of Heart Awards” to “E.T. York Work of Heart Awards.”
“He would be very pleased [about the name change],” said Vam York, the widow of Dr. York.
Dr. York started the awards shortly after he opened the Volunteer Action Center in Gainesville. Everything he did at the center was so important to him, including the awards, which were his way to show volunteers they’re appreciated, according to Vam.
“He always felt people who did good work should be recognized,” she said.
He was very successful in what he did at the center and with the awards, starting several programs still carried on today, even though the volunteer center has closed. In 2007, Dr. York asked Haven Hospice President, Tim Bowen, to help keep the awards alive, said Quirie, E.T. York Work of Heart committee member. For Bowen, it is an honor to continue to support the work Dr. York started. “Dr. York was a huge believer in community service. These awards were his way of elevating the awareness of special people in our community—making it a better place to live.”
Mrs. York still sponsors the Education Award every year. “I would carry on anything he started,” she said, noting that they were married for 64 years. “He was a super, super person.”
This year, Haven Hospice asked The Nonprofit Center to host it with them. Kari Brill, the co-chair at The Nonprofit Center, said the organization has always had a great relationship with Haven Hospice, and she said she’s excited to take a more active role in the awards this year.
“I’ve participated before the Nonprofit Center got involved,” Brill said. “It’s wonderful just to be there and experience the good feeling—seeing what these people are giving. It’s young kids to college students to seniors being honored.”
And the premise of the honor hasn’t wavered.
“As someone who works with volunteers every day, I am inspired and impressed by what they do,” Quirie said. “These individuals give so freely of their time and talents, never asking for recognition. It is truly a joy to work with this committee to honor Alachua County’s volunteers. Dr. York’s goal was to appreciate community volunteers who have made an impact, and I believe we have done that with these awards.”
In Alachua County, there is an abundance of giving people. More than 25,000 volunteer each year, equaling more than $10 million worth of services if they were paid.
For Benson and other winners, the awards don’t drive them to volunteer; they would do it regardless. It just lets them know their hard work is appreciated.
According to Benson, because she knows many of the previous winners, it was amazing to see her name on the same plaque as theirs. And personal acknowledgment aside, it has actually assisted SWAG with its donation efforts.
“It helped shine a spotlight on SWAG,” Benson said. “It’s easier for me to ask for donations because of the award. It made us recognizable.”
When the E.T. York Work of Heart Awards started more than 40 years ago, Dr. York didn’t know they would lead to stories like Benson’s; he just wanted to recognize and thank the volunteers who give selflessly and make the community a better place.
“I think what the award does is bring light to what our volunteers do,” says Quirie. “They’re usually unsung heroes. It’s a way of saying thank you.”