Left to right Heather Moomaw, Dean Carlson, Mettaya Potter, and Karin Oliveira director of Community Builders.

Nominee: Heather Moomaw

Nominator: Fran Longton
Volunteer Director at HOPE

Volunteer Profile: Heather Moomaw is a long time volunteer at the House of Peace and Education in Gardner. She has been a tutor for the "Hope for Kids" program for four years. Heather works with children in grades 2 through 6 by providing homework assistance and positive role modeling. She also mentors in the Pals program promoting positive listening and social skills among children in kindergarten through grade 2. Fran Longton, Volunteer Director for the House of Peace and Education, states, "Heather has a wonderful, calm and centered presence that makes her ideal to help the children who have challenges focusing and accomplishing their work. She is a valuable asset to the Hope House and an excellent example of a committed and caring volunteer."

Nominee: Dean Carlson

Nominator: Rose-Marie Bissonnette
President/Founder of Central Mass Limb Loss Support Group

Profile: Dean is an amputee with several other medical conditions. Even though he faces his daily life coping with disabilities, he still dedicates his energy and time volunteering for the Central Mass Limb Loss Support Group. Dean is an active board member. He has rewritten the organizational by-laws and assisted in many tasks that expedited the organization's non-profit application process. Dean has acquired his Peer Visitors Certification from the Amputee-Coalition of America which qualifies him to provide comfort and support to new amputees and their families. Dean has gone the extra mile in negotiating an agreement with Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital for the Central Mass Limb Loss Support Group to provide information at their amputee clinic. Dean travels to the hospital to speak to clinic and inpatient amputees twice a month. Rose-Marie Bissonnette, founder and President of the Central Mass Limb Loss Support Group, feels strongly that Dean is invaluable to her organization. She states, "He has never requested as much as a thank you for all of his efforts and accomplishments. His volunteer work is invaluable!"

Nominee: Mettaya Potter

Nominator: Darren Elwell

Volunteer Profile: Mettaya Potter, a graduating senior at Gardner High School, has been the lead venture of the "Environmental Crew" at Gardner High School for two years. She organized an all-city clean up and traveled to local elementary schools to educate young students about the importance of environmentalism and taking care of the their community. Mettaya serves as a student ambassador to the United Way Youth Venture Champion at Gardner High School, Mettaya has organized multiple trips with more then 20 of her fellow students to the Hope House to help rake leaves and debris from the yard.