Calvert Crusade event honors activists for children

Friday, June 5, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photos by LindaLee Studios Mary Joachim, family day care provider; Shelby Potts, pre-college advisor with the Southern Maryland College Access Network; Deborah Ursiny, president of Autism-Asperger Association of Calvert County; and Tierney Guido of St. Nicholas Lutheran Church receive awards from the Calvert Crusade for Children as Champions for Children. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo The Rev. Kay Albury, Pastor, and Jerome Jones, Youth Minister, of Brooks United Methodist Church receive Youth Volunteer of the Year awards. Click here to enlarge this photo Volunteer of the Year Debra Thomas

Though the majority of the audience was comprised of adults, it was really all about the kids at the Calvert Crusade for Children 3rd Annual Champions for Children dinner. For the first time, the event also included awards for the Volunteers of the Year.

The event was last week at Kings Landing Park's Patuxent Hall in Huntingtown.

"It's to honor champions for children whether they're individuals or groups," said the crusade's president, Marie Andrews, who added that the event was also a chance to honor Calvert Crusade for Children volunteers and "brag a bit" about the organization.

The individuals recognized as "Champions for Children" were Shelby Potts of the Southern Maryland College Access Network, childcare provider Mary Joachim, Deborah Ursiny of the Autism-Aspergers Association of Calvert County and Northern High School junior Tierney Guido.

"I'm being honored for helping children in the community and working with youth," said Guido, who is the co-director of St. Nicholas Lutheran Church's vacation bible school, as well as the creator of a fitness camp for children. She was given the "Youth to Youth" award.

"It was fun to have all of my friends and all of the kids and just have a blast together," Guido said of the fitness camp, which she explained "taught [children] more about being healthy than body image."

Joachim, who was given the "Healthy Children" award, agreed that it is never too early to get youth thinking about a healthy lifestyle.

"Healthy [living] encompasses the whole child; it's about developing their mind to process what's inside of them," said Joachim, the director of Mary's Morning Glory Childcare in Owings, where she said kids use bread dough instead of play dough and have frequent cooking projects.

According to Potts, who won the "Educational Opportunities" award, even while children are doing cooking projects in daycare, college should not be far from their parents' minds.

"I think families should start thinking about college when [their children] are in elementary school," said Potts.

Ursiny received the "Strong Families" award for her work with the Autism - Aspergers Association, an organization from which she said she has never turned anyone away.

"I usually get calls from people [with autism in their family] before they even move to Southern Maryland," said Ursiny, adding that parents are frequently curious about the school system and special education programs.

Calvert Crusade for Children Vice President Guffrie Smith presented the Volunteer of the Year awards to Mike King of Radio Shack and Debra Thomas, who Smith called "a small lady who carries a big stick … and doesn't leave any stone unturned.

" … As you see people, give them a compliment. That may be the most positive thing they get that day. … That [type of behavior] doesn't only go for Debra, but also Mike King," Smith said.

Though King was unable to attend the ceremony, Smith credited him with allowing Radio Shack to assist with crusade functions. Smith honored Thomas with her work leading up to the crusade's Pirates of the Chesapeake Family Treasure Walk last month.

Lastly recognized was the purpose of the crusade itself; the "Youth of the Year" award was bestowed upon the Jewels for Jesus Youth Choir and Youth Aflame Ministry from Brooks United Methodist Church in St. Leonard.

lbuck@somdnews.com