Joe Hren, one the event’s master of ceremonies alongside Bet Savich, urged people to consider the necessity of those who sacrifice their time for the ?community.
“It’s a common mistake to think volunteering is just about ‘doing something nice,’” Hren said. He went on to explain Bloomington’s volunteers fill gaps in the system — that they support those without a support ?system.
Savich agreed, and imagined what the community would look like without its volunteers.
“Think about ... what basic needs would go unmet,” Savich said.
In total, 57 groups and individuals were nominated for the Be More Awards, including a group of Eigenmann Hall residents for the Be More Involved Award for their off-campus service. The awards spanned 11 categories, each focusing on a community need.
Those needs ranged from literacy, animal welfare, health and wellness to environmental stability and arts and culture. Often, each award had several nominees. Both the Be More Knowledgeable Award and the Be More Creative Award had 18 nominees.
The Be More Knowledgeable Award was the first presented. The Crane Chapter of Blacks in Government took it home for their work with high school youth. Brian Price, the CEO of IU Credit Union, explained why.
“This year’s winner provided free SAT test preparation, and if you’ve had to take it, you know it’s hard,” Price said. “This group is small in numbers but large in impact.”
Only two of the chapter’s members were able to walk onstage, but they cheered loudly when they heard their name called and passed the octagonal glass plaque around proudly as it glinted in the stage light.
Throughout the ceremony, a range of community needs were mentioned because of the volunteers honored. Audrey Jo Williams won for her work with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra.
Williams works with orchestra to collect used instruments, repair them, and give them to children or schools in need. Before she left the stage, she leaned into the microphone half-joking, half-serious.
“If you have any used instruments in your closets at home, call me,” Williams said. “I’ll find a home for it.”
Shortly after Willams, the Youth Engaged in Service Club at Tri-North Middle school bounded up onstage and crowed into the middle for a picture.
The YES club had won the Be More Energized for its work in school, community service and “leadership beyond their years.” One of the students who said her name was Lexi was asked to speak a few words on their behalf.
“This has been a great experience for me and for these people,” she said. “I’m definitely looking forward to being in it again since I’m only in seventh grade.”
Perhaps one of the most inspiring winners of the evening was Wain Martin, who took home the Be More Phenomenal Award.
Martin is a board member of New Leaf, New Life who has been volunteering for the Monroe County ?Correctional Center for the past nine years. He has hosted bingo nights for those who are incarcerated and provided some with toiletries as well. That was in addition to volunteering with Meals on Wheels and working with his own church.
When Martin took the stage, the audience stood in respect for the first time. Martin was short, with a curvature in his back. But he wore a smile and grasped everyone’s hand onstage in a genuinely thankful way.
“I feel like the tip of the iceberg: the spokesperson makes me look good,” ?Martin said. “It’s a marvelous opportunity that I have.”
Mayor Mark Kruzan took the stage to close out the evening and deliver the last award.
“Think about the untold stories and thousands of hours (of the volunteers),” Kruzan said.
