FLORIDA TODAY honors Brevard volunteers
COCOA – After helping guide a broad spectrum of Space Coast charities over the years, David Brock took home Citizen of the Year honors as the headliner of FLORIDA TODAY's Volunteer Recognition Awards ceremony.
Brock is president and chief executive officer of the Rockledge-based Community Credit Union. The Indian Harbour Beach resident helps children, adults and families alike — in recent months, he organized a fundraiser that raised $50,000 to buy a refrigerated truck to transport meals for Meals on Wheels home-bound senior citizens.
He was honored Thursday night at the Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center at the Eastern Florida State College Cocoa campus. He could not attend because of a prior commitment. But his wife, Angela, accepted his award before a standing ovation and read a statement on his behalf.
"I have been privileged to meet and work with many of the people here tonight. Your example has shaped my own efforts, and I treasure your friendship and the experiences that we have shared," Angela Brock told the audience.
"I have been blessed with a great family and a loving wife who never fails to help in whatever way she can. He really did say that," she said, drawing laughter.
Thursday's gala marked the 23rd anniversary of the newspaper honoring Space Coast philanthropists via the VRAs.
"At FLORIDA TODAY, we believe it is our responsibility to take the lead in recognizing the good work being done and mobilizing the community to take action. That's what we strive to do every day. And once a year, we come together to spotlight 12 deserving individuals and organizations who are living in that spirit," said Jeff Kiel, president and publisher.
Two other finalists were nominated for Citizen of the Year. One was Merritt Island businesswoman Myra Igo Haley, who chairs the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy board of trustees.
Haley also serves on the Eastern Florida State College board of trustees, among other groups.
The other nominee was a couple: Chas and Vonnie Hoyman of Suntree.
Chas has worked with the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast and Circles of Care, while Vonnie has worked with the Junior League of South Brevard and Eau Gallie Arts District.
The Melbourne law firm Zies, Widerman and Malek was named Business of the Year for a number of charitable endeavours. This staff donates about $150,000 and more than 1,000 hours of pro bono legal service to nonprofits per year.
"We're shocked. We're humbled. We're really honored," Mark Malek said minutes after the ceremony, surrounded by well-wishers. "There's two great organizations that we were nominated with. And everyone's a winner here, especially our community."
The other business finalists — both located in Melbourne — were Percepta, which generated a combined $18,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and American Cancer Society, and Running Zone, which launched a foundation in 2008 and supports a laundry list of nonprofits.
Volunteer of the Year honors went to Susan Hammerling, a Suntree physician assistant. She works with Space Coast Volunteers in Medicine, the Brevard Guardian ad Litem program and the Children's Hunger Project, among numerous other groups.
"I'm very grateful for this recognition. And although I stand up here alone this evening, this award really belongs to the volunteers, to the board members, and all of you — the generous donors of our community," Hammerling said.
The other finalists were Melbourne residents Sherry Palmer and Mark Petrillo.
Palmer is director and co-founder of Breast Friends of Florida. She is in charge of the Bikers for Breasts: Ride for the Girls motorcycle run and an annual cancer survivors' luncheon.
Petrillo is race director of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society's Turtle Krawl 5K. He and Cooper, his therapy dog, also volunteer in the Tales to Tails reading program at the Melbourne Beach Public Library.
Genesis House, which provides transitional shelter for homeless women, long-term housing for student mothers and shelter for homeless pregnant women in Melbourne, was named Organization of the Year.
Other finalists were the Rockledge group Brevard C.A.R.E.S., which battles child abuse, abandonment and neglect and has supported more than 13,000 children, and Daily Bread, which fed more than 4,600 people the past year at its volunteer-staffed Melbourne soup kitchen.
"We are just thrilled. And we work closely with Daily Bread and Brevard C.A.R.E.S., so this is for you, too. Thank you so much," said Mary Allen, founder and board president.
Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter. See other stories by FLORIDA TODAY's Rick Neale at http://tinyurl.com/ossgc3b
