Capturing the spirit of volunteerism

One of the sweetest blogs this week was by Herald columnist Vin Mannix on his "Mannix on Manatee" blog. He captured the most touching moment of the Spirit of Manatee Awards on Wednesday, which we both attended.

Chris and Sue Egler were among those honored for exemplary service for our local non-profit organizations, seen here in Paul Videla's photo. They were recognized for their "Volunteer Spirit" -- and it may be the most deserved award in a long time. Chris was diagnosed with cancer last year, and he has already outlived the doctors' prognoses. And he hasn't stopped giving.

Chris threw out the challenge to the event's record crowd: Volunteer. Give. Remember the power of the individual.

The standing ovation he received was a most promising sign.

What's next after much-needed VISTA program?

“I don’t think anything can replace what this VISTA project has done. I never dreamed it could become what it is. ... I don’t know if it can be replicated.”

With those words, VISTA project leader Rosie Wiley humbly summed up her life for the past three-plus years with Volunteers in Service to America. As Herald reporter Tim Wolfrum wrote in today's story, VISTA's local program ends in August without a renewal of federal funding.

That, Tim wrote, is "a sad fact for the volunteers and the groups that employ them." It's also a sad fact for this community if nothing comes along to replace this group's amazing sacrifices to tackle so many worthy projects.

'They have revitalized neighborhoods -- Washington Park and Samoset are among them -- built wheelchair ramps, started community gardens, designed playgrounds and put together community coalitions to help the poor and get young people involved in government.'

Somehow, though, I doubt we've heard the last of Rosie Wiley, seen above in Grant Jefferies' photograph. She is one of the most spirited leaders of volunteers I've ever met. And she has never seen a challenge too big to tackle.

Local doctors heading into Haiti

As reported in the Herald today, a team of local doctors has arrived in the Dominican Republic, heading toward Haiti to help. They are led by Dr. Joseph Pecoraro, a Bradenton general surgeon and co-founder of Hearts Afire, a medical missionary organization. “We expect to do mostly amputations, treat traumatized wounds, deal with multiple fractures — we’ll do what we can,” he told me last night.

Joining him are anesthesiologists Trey Bernard, Tom Nutter and orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Sugar, all from Sarasota. They are carrying supplies donated by our local hospitals, knowing it will only make a small dent.

Dr. Pecoraro left an update this morning, calling from the missionaries' phone in Santo Domingo. The going sounds rough, even before they have reached any earthquake victims. The missionaries' van lost a wheel, so the doctors have found one to rent.

They are still heading toward Haiti, but may be needed long before they reach the makeshift hospital.

"The need is so great all the way along the Dominican border, we may or may not be able to get into Haiti," he said in a voice mail. "They're transporting patients out to the borders -- word is that the hospitals are full."

So many volunteers are heading to Haiti. Pecoraro's group met up with a missions outfitter from Gainesville today, which worked out well for them. "He will be assessing from an engineering standpoint, we're assessing from a medical standpoint," Pecoraro said.

He plans to keep us updated, as he is able.

-- Joan