Heart of Yuma honors those who give back

When it comes to having a big heart, Yumans consistently come out to support their community and each other.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Heart of Yuma Awards Ceremony. The event recognizes and honors private and corporate philanthropy volunteerism and community leadership.

The event was sponsored by the Yuma Community Foundation and was held at the Yuma Civic Center.

The call for nominations closed in September and led a Blue Ribbon Selection Panel, comprised of diverse community leaders, to review
the nominations and undertake the difficult task of choosing the category winners.

The panel chose Yumans Roberta and Stephen, also known as Bobbie and Steve, Shadle as 2009 Philanthropists of the Year.

For the past 47 years, the Shadles have demonstrated leadership in Yuma County, supporting nonprofit organizations and fostering the growth of resources for the community, according to a statement from the panel.

"They have given monetary support to an endless list of community organizations, causes and charities, particularly impacting education through service and financial contributions. Their passions, belief and leadership in Yuma have made a profound difference in the community."

For Steve Shadle, it was hard to believe he was in such great company, he said at the ceremony Tuesday night.

He said that he and Bobbie were "very excited."

"Neither one of us could believe it," he said.

Bobbie Shadle said she is amazed at what a generous community Yuma is. She said she was very moved that they won.

"I'm overwhelmed," she said.

There was also a special award given out Tuesday night for a nominee who touched many Yumans lives.

In a statement from the Yuma Community Foundation, "the Yuma community was greatly saddened by the untimely recent passing of a leader, Dr. Ernest Rillos. The heart of Yuma selection panel felt it was appropriate to honor his many contributions to the Yuma community with a special Heart of Yuma award."

Rillos "possessed overwhelming energy," the panel said in the statement. "Dr. Rillos was an effective Chief of Staff of the Yuma Regional Medical Center and physician in charge of athletic events at his former school, Kofa High School, often treating students and community members free of charge.

Mrs. Tracy Rillos accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.

In the category of Outstanding Volunteer, Yuman Sharon Jessup won. Jessup has a long history of investing her time and personal resources with 40 plus years of service to the Boy Scouts. She is also active in her church and garden club as well as the Girl Scouts.

Brett Bybee, of Yuma, who nominated Jessup, said in her nomination that she "is one of a kind."

"She has a great love for people and a vision for our kids to have opportunities that will stage themselves for a successful future," Bybee wrote.

Yuman Emma Torres won for Outstanding Leader in 2009.

Torres is co-founder of Campesinos Sin Fronteras, a local grassroots nonprofit, and is currently serving a four-year presidential appointment to the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission.

For nominator Cristina Gonzales, Torres is already an outstanding leader with her active community involvement.

"Torres has been key in bringing health education, social service and community participatory research projects to address the multiple needs of farmworkers and new immigrant families," Christin Gonzales, nominator wrote.

Outstanding Benefactors in 2009, Jerry and Lynne Cullison, have created a family legacy through their support of agriculture and health care services for the Yuma community. They are major founders of the Yuma Regional Medical Center's open heart surgery program and have donated more than $1 million in personal support of specialized equipment. In addition, the Cullisons established the J.R. Cullison Memorial Scholarship Fund for students who are interested in pursuing degrees in agriculture at the University of Arizona.

Two local organizations were selected as Outstanding For Profit Corporation and Outstanding Nonprofit organization.

MAC Electric and its project manager Steve Knoll were honored for their challenging work during the reconstruction of Kofa High School while it was "in session."

Kofa Principal Gina Thompson nominated the organization and wrote that Knoll "'was not just the MAC guy,' he became a daily part of our Kofa team in so many ways."

Thompson wrote that Knoll "exemplifies the true spirit of the community of Yuma."

For Nonprofit organization, the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) won the 2009 award.

Established in 1971, the organization helps promote, stimulate and develop the human, social and economic resources of the growing region.

According to the statement from the panel, "through developing community partnerships, and by adopting policies that address problems common to its members, WACOG is able to plan for community infrastructure development, early childhood education and the delivery of a wide array of social services, touching the lives of individuals and families in innumerable ways."

In his closing remarks, Ronald A. Martin, 2006 Philanthropist of the Year, reminded everyone to continue to give back.

"Yuma truly is a town that pays it forward and I want to continue to see that for many years to come," he said. "Pay it forward just a couple more times."

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Congratulations to all of the nominees for the 2009 Heart of Yuma awards:

Outstanding Volunteer:
Bob Carey
Oscar Chavez
Loma Clark
Cathi Cochran
Val Colvin
John and Kathy Coultas
Sgt. Gregory Counts
Marilyn Damet
Renee Dinwiddie
Tim Dunn
Dr. Joseph Gallemore
Ethel Hammond
Janet Hoy
Sharon Jessup
Lisa Mendez
Francisca Montalvo
Valerie Morrill


Outstanding Leader:
Brian H. Babiars
Sharon Chessum
Val Colvin
Jerry (J.D.) Durden
Myra Garlit
Janet F. Jones
Steve Knoll
Everardo Martinez-Insunza
Rene Ragsdale-Leeds
Dr. Ernest Rillos (posthumous nomination)
Marci Rios
Mike Shelton
Gary L. Smith
Emma Torres

Outstanding Benefactor:
Jerry and Lynne Cullison
Wade Noble
Stephen P. Shadle
Roberta and Stephen P. Shadle
Soroptimist International of Yuma

Outstanding For Profit Corporation:
BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona
Bose Corporation
Curling Accounting Services/Carol Urling
Golden Cue/Ignacio (Nacho) Rodriguez
Kerley Construction, Inc.
MAC Electric/Steve Knoll
Pacesetter Homes LLC/Danny Bryant
QWEST
SCR Sun Restoration, Inc

Outstanding Nonprofit Organization:
Caballeros de Yuma
Crossroads Mission
Gila Mountain United Methodist Church
Sun Sounds of Arizona
Sunstone Cancer Support Resource Center
WACOG
Yuma Conservation Garden
Yuma Fine Arts Association

Source: Yuma Community Foundation