'Be More Awards' recognize volunteer work

The Bloomington Volunteer Network and its partners recognized community members for achievement in volunteering Tuesday evening.

The ceremony at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater awarded 10 volunteers out of more than 87 nominees.

Bet Savich,  director for the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, said any member of the Bloomington community could nominate someone they felt spent a lot of time or had been especially effective in volunteer work.

Each award recipient was also presented with a $500 check to be donated to their respective organizations.

Savich, who presented the awards alongside WTIU Host of “The Weekly Special” Joe Hren, said nominees are the backstory of what is building Bloomington.

Hren said the objective was to celebrate the behind-the-scenes volunteer work in a celebratory setting.  

The awards were separated into 10 categories specifically focused on college students. This year, the college honoree was Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The brothers of Sig Ep were honored for their work with Habitat for Humanity. Harold “Pete” Goldsmith, IU dean of students and award presenter, said each of the 124 brothers spend at least four hours a month volunteering. Philanthropy Chair Reece Clark individually committed to spend at least 500 hours volunteering with Habitat before he graduates.

“Our big values are virtue, diligence, and brotherly love,” Clark said. “Our work in the community is an expression of brotherly love.”

Clark said the fraternity is really humbled for receiving the award.

“The way we see it, we take only a few hours of our time,” Clark said. “It’s not too much to ask. We’re not doing it for the recognition.”

Savich said the names of the recipients were not disclosed until the ceremony in order to keep the focus on the overall volunteer work and contributions.

“Once we learn what people are doing, we’re inspired by it, but we never know how much they do,” Savich said. “For the most part, people who are being honored are doing it out of a sense of commitment and not because they want to be recognized.”  

Honorees for the “Be More Sustainable Award” Molly O’Donnell and Madi Hirschland, who nominated each other, said they were both surprised at their nominations.

Hirschland promoted their organization, Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light, which focuses on combatting climate change, and said anyone can make a difference in the community.