Award named after exceptional leader

MAT-SU -- The Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was established by the United Way of Mat-Su board of directors in 1992, to honor the memory of Dorothy Jones, one of the most remarkable leaders of our time.

It is annually awarded to recognize leaders who have rendered outstanding volunteer service to the Mat-Su community.

Dorothy Jones was a foremost community leader whose dedicated service helped improve the quality of life for Mat-Su residents. Until her death, Jones served on the United Way of Mat-Su board of directors in addition to her other areas of service.

The award is intended to honor individuals for exceptional volunteer service that improves the quality of life for Mat-Su residents.

The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates service and leadership as a volunteer in health and human services nonprofit activities. The winner, by his or her personal commitment, must have made a positive and lasting impact on the advancement of volunteerism and quality of life in the Valley.

The nomination process begins in March every year, when United Way of Mat-Su solicits nominees from the general public. Anyone can make a nomination by completing a form and turning it in during the time period specified.

United Way convenes a panel of judges who review the nominations and selects the volunteer of the year. The panel consists of volunteers who are distinguished and prominent Valley residents, and is chaired by a United Way of Mat-Su board officer.

To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be borough residents and must have served as volunteers in health and human services in the borough. Nominees are judged according to length and breadth of service, as well as how their volunteerism improved the quality of life for Valley residents.

The 2000 winner was Katie Hurley, who was nominated by the staff at the Alaska Family Resource Center (formerly Valley Women's Resource Center). Hurley's volunteer service includes founding the Valley Women's Resource Center, being an organist at St. David's Episcopal Church, being director of the Matanuska Valley Cancer Society Board, being the director at Matanuska Telephone Association, being an activist at Kids Are People and serving as a past president of the Alaska State Board of Education.

Other finalists for the 2000 award were Jean Harding and Ley Schleich.

All Mat-Su volunteers are honored at a volunteer recognition luncheon, sponsored by the United Way of Mat-Su and held during National Volunteer Month in April.

For more information about the Volunteer of the Year award, interested people may call the United Way of Mat-Su at 373-5821.