Veterans, teens, an artist, and a pro football player are among the thirteen individuals or groups to receive United Way of Tampa Bay’s Volunteer of the Year awards for their commitment and volunteer efforts in the community. The awards were presented Tuesday, April 29 during the annual awards luncheon at the Tampa Doubletree hotel.

Selected by the judges with the highest point score from the entire pool of nominees, Operation Helping Hand was awarded the Golden Achievement award. The military officers group was nominated by James A. Haley VA Hospital for helping our wounded warriors and the family members of the hospitalized military. While patients and their family struggle through complex health issues and rehabilitation, Operation Helping Hand is there to help lessen the financial and emotional burden.

Volunteer of the Year in the Animals and Environment category, Les Amore helps rescue and care for marine life, such as bottle nose dolphins, sea turtles, river otters and rays. After medical treatment and rehabilitation, some animals can be returned to nature, others remain at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Les was nominated for his tireless dedication to making the Bay area a better place for both human and animal communities.

Each week, Dave Crum teaches tennis to at-risk girls at Steppin’ Stone Farms with humor and respect, empowering them to change their destiny. Remarkable, Crum has been there for these girls twice a week, every week, for 19 years! Through his love and encouragement, he helps to heal their hearts and improve their self-esteem. Crum is Volunteer of the Year (tie) in Arts and Recreation.

Dominique Martinez, a “Man of Steel,” transforms jagged metal debris into highly valued works of art. And in doing so, inspires students that anything is possible. Nominated in the Arts and Recreation (tie) category by SERVE, Martinez motivates students through his art and the message he delivers. He encourages students to dream what they can be and do, acknowledging that anything is possible – just like turning a piece of rusted steel into a work of art.

As Volunteer of the Year in Education, Julie Bryant serves as a friend and role model teaching parenting skills to many young and single parents. Through her weekly home visits with Help A Child’s Parent Aide Program, she mentors parents to provide a safe and nurturing home for their children. And in the end, prevents child abuse. Through her warm, non-judgmental approach, she shows parents that love and patience is possible.

For those diagnosed with breast cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital, there is a volunteer who provides hope. Ronda Buffington is the coordinator for American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program and Volunteer of the Year in Healthcare and Health Education. Buffington coordinates volunteers to reach out to fellow breast cancer survivors, providing support and hope during their emotional journey. The patients witness first-hand that those with breast cancer can also be survivors.

It takes a special individual to help another in a time of physical and emotional crisis. Volunteer of the Year in Human Services, Chris Turner helps to minimize the trauma of rape survivors, many times within hours of the assault. As a volunteer with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, she offers empathy, information about victim services, counseling and emergency shelter. As a sexual assault survivor herself, Turner understands the impact the crime has on its victims. Through her caring counsel and quiet strength, she empowers victims to be survivors – and take back their life.

In Hillsborough County, 33,000 families have children with disabilities. With her child in a wheelchair, Stefani Busanski had a vision: To create a barrier-free and universally accessible playground for all children with physical limitations.  As Volunteer of the Year in Leadership, Busanski believed that children of all abilities need playgrounds to build strength, develop socialization skills and make friends. The City of Tampa opened the first universally accessible playground in February 2008.

Teenager Ethan Sitver volunteers with a genuine desire to make things better for children and our environment. Sitver helps coordinate activity events, often as a YMCA volunteer, for children in hospitals, and in foster care homes. As the Youth (tie) Volunteer of the Year, he applies his altruistic initiative to his real passion – improving our environment. Sitver started the “Green Club” at his high school. With 80 members, the club promotes environmentalism, conservation and healthy eating in our community – especially to children.

Nominated by PARC in the Youth (tie) category, Marie Hankinson volunteers each week at a residential program for 16 children who require extensive medical and behavior care. Many of the children have physical limitations or an inability to communicate their needs. Through her kindness, she gives each resident personal attention, helping with activities or their personal needs. Through her hands-on role with special needs children, she shows that everyone deserves to have a friend and experience the laughter of childhood.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, Ryan Nece and Gerdau Ameristeel were awarded the Volunteer of the Year award in the Partners in the Workplace category. Both were nominated by Bay Pines VA Hospital for their philanthropic and volunteer efforts. Due to their efforts, 17 computers and 44 Web cams with headsets were installed at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, connecting veterans with their family members. All veterans in the hospital now have access to the Internet and can “see” and communicate with their family regularly. This addition of technology has an immeasurable impact on the emotional health and well-being of the hospital-bound veterans.

The Michael A. Zagorc award recognizes a special volunteer who has overcome personal difficulties, often major physical challenges, and achieved great success by contributing to his or her community. Despite her personal struggles and mental health challenges, Corrine Bulla has dedicated her life to the St. Petersburg Police Department’s mission and its people who serve the local community. A committed volunteer since 1997, she gives selflessly, often working 15-hour days. Relying on public transportation for her commute, Bulla arrives each day for “work,” rain or shine, with a cheerful hello and smile.

During National Volunteer Week, United Way of Tampa Bay annually recognizes and thanks volunteers who are dedicated to help children, teens, parents, animals, veterans, the sick and the disabled.  Eighty-three volunteers were nominated by dozens of agencies and organizations across Tampa Bay.