Jefferson Awards

Just Ask!

(CBS 5) Want to know how a winner got started? How an organization found funding? Send us your questions for the Jefferson Award winners and we'll get their answers. Or tell us about your experience - what's the most rewarding thing you've done for others? How would you help solve a community problem?

We'll post responses here.
I want to know about the Jefferson Award and who the latest person was in EPA with the business called "BUILD". Thanks, Laurie Roderick

Laurie,
Suzanne McKechnie Klahr is the Jefferson Award winner who created BUILD for young entreprenuers. You can check our story on Suzanne by clicking here.

All our Jefferson Award winner profiles are on our Jefferson Awards page. Just look under More Jefferson Awards.

Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards
Hi there,

I always enjoy watching the Jefferson Award segments, thank-you for your work. I wanted to know more about Lea Bergen and Michael Yonchenko, and their videos on health issues. Specifically, I wanted to know what other topics they had ready for distribution (I am looking for help for my mother, a recent stroke victim among other challenges) and what their contact is for locating these videos.

If you can get their contact info for me, I would really appreciate it!

Sonja Bethel

Dear Ms. Bethel:
Thank you for your kind words. At this time we don't have any programs related to stroke. It is one of the topics we hope to address in the next year.

For immediate information I recommend that you visit the Internet Stroke Center. They have produced numerous high-quality videos for stroke victims and their families. Most of them can be downloaded at The Internet Stroke Center.

I'm sorry we can't be of more assistance to you. Good luck and good health to you and your mother.

Best regards,
Michael Yonchenko
Direct Health Media

I work with Riordan High School and I just wanted to know the deadlines for the Jefferson Awards. I greatly appreciate it. - Rose

Rose,
There is no set deadline -- we are constantly accepting new nominations. The selection committee meets approximately every three months to consider the lastest submissions. If you submit a nomination, you will not hear back until after the committee has met and made their decisions.

Thanks for asking,
Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards

How can I make a donation to Jefferson Award Winners: Meilanny Haney & Deloris Vaughn? I saw their story and would like to possibly help them with a small donation.

Thanks for your reply.
Gordon Steele

Dear Mr. Steele,
Since Meilanny and Deloris run such a small operation, they do not have an organization with 501.c 3 status to accept tax-deductible donations. They would, however, appreciate any contribution they can put towards feeding the homeless. You can send a check made out to them here to CBS 5 and we will forward it to them immediately.

Send it to:

Stephanie John
CBS 5 Jefferson Awards
855 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

Thanks for thinking of them. Your donation can make a big difference this winter!

Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards Towards the end of this past June, there was a Jefferson Award for a lady who helped one of the students who went to the school I work for. The student's name is Tory Wilson. I was wondering if you could put me in touch with this lady to maybe mentor another student at my school currently.

Thank you,
Jayne Frye

Dear Jayne,

The winner you are thinking of is Renee Richard-Smith. She created an organization called Cinnamon Girl to mentor young girls. To reach her, check out the Cinnamon Girl web page and click Contact Us for a phone number and email address. Click here to see our original story on Renee.

Good luck to you and the student!

Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards Hello Ms Rodgers,

Wow, I just want to say thank you for broadcasting the other day an saw the story on Aphasia Center. My sister and I both saw and said MOM! My mom had a mini stroke that affect her talking and the pronunciation of words which are on the tip of her tongue and she can't get them out. We screamed that MOM!!!!!

I have been trying to find out more about this program, my mother is in desperate need of this type program. What must I do?

Gary Reynolds

Gary:

I'm glad you enjoyed the story on our Jefferson Award winner Roberta Elman and I'm sure you will be able to find help at the Aphasia Center for your mother. Click here for the story on our web page for more information and a link to the Aphasia Center's web page. If you have any problems contacting them or have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Good Luck,
Barbara Rodgers Hi!

I want to commend your station for recognizing stories and people doing great work! Thank you!

I was especially interested in finding information about the woman and the aphasia foundation highlighted in tonight's show. Please let me know if I am missing something or when I can expect it to be posted.

Cheers,
Melissa Lange

Melissa,
Thanks so much for writing. We really enjoy telling these stories.

You can find more information on Roberta Elman and the Aphasia Center by clicking here, for our story now posted on our main page for the Jefferson Awards.

Thanks again,
Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards Hi
I saw a couple of women win the Jefferson award for taking meals that they prepared to the homeless up in the East Bay. That made me start thinking about the homeless in my town of San Jose.

So, my daughter who is 15 and I made 30 lunches and drinks and filled canvas bags and hit the streets of downtown San Jose. There were so many emotions that were associated with the experience. I was not sure that we would even find 30 people but we found that there were so many more. We ran out of lunches and have decided to do it once a month and my daughter wants to increase the number of lunches that we make.

I have some questions for the two women that have been doing this. I have a question about safety since I am taking my 15 year old with me. I have questions about the food.

We approached the first 30 people that we thought were in need and not one turned down our offer. We even gave some of our canvas bags away. We are thinking about adding caps/hats in November to the bag.

Could I contact the two women by email with my questions. If not, let them know that they truly inspired me into action.

My daughter wrote in a personal report "With the man asking, 'You're angels, aren't you?' that question made me feel like an angel. It felt so good and we will do it again in November. This is a way to live out my school motto, Not Words, But Deeds." My daughter attends Presentation High School.

I myself was very unsure about the whole thing. I knew that I wanted to do it but actually doing it was a different thing. How would we approach the people? How would we decide who needed help? The very first man that we walked up to asked us if we were angels and then I felt settled about the whole thing. It was easy from that minute on.

Thanks for contacting the two women for me.

Barb Schroeder

Barb,
This email really made our day. This is EXACTLY what the Jefferson Awards are all about - being inspired to take action in your own community. Involving your daughter makes it even better. She's obviously learned after just the first time about the impact a small gesture can make.

I will put you in touch with Meilanny and Deloris so you can share ideas on safety, food, etc.

Thank you, thank you for getting involved!

-Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards Hi,
A winner a while back was a lady from the East Bay who was very successful getting young children with speech difficulties to speak better. I have a nephew with speech problems and would like the contact information for this past Jefferson Award winner. Thank you for your assistance.
Tony Camp

Hi Tony,
That winner was Charlene Sigman of Happy Talkers. Click here to see our story on Charlene. You can connect to the Happy Talkers site under "Related Links", which includes contact information.

Our best wishes to your nephew! I was looking at the stories about the people who won the Jefferson Awards and WHAT amazing talent. Anyway, my question is how would you know if a person is eligiable for this type of award? Would they have to be doing their talent for a long time - such as giving to the community by making blankets? If you could let me know that would be great.

Thank You,
Kim Kruger

Kim,
There are no time restrictions, anyone who does public service is eligible at least to be nominated. The steering committee makes the selections. The nomination forms are on our website.

Please let me know if you have further questions. Thanks for watching.

Best,
Akilah Monifa
Director of Communications What is the deadline for nominations?
Thanks,
Liz

Hi Liz,
You can send nominations anytime. The selection committee meets four or five times a year, so we are always accepting and considering nominations.

Thanks,
Stephanie Dear Stephanie: I would like to nominate a group of volunteers for a Jefferson Award. However, the Jefferson awards seem to be only for individual nominees. Is a group eligible? Could I nominate the president?

I'll look forward to hearing from you.

- Barbara Sloane

Hi Barbara,

While groups are not specifically excluded from the Jefferson Award, it's been my experience that the selection committee prefers to recognize individual excellence in public service. If the president is an individual whose contribution really stands out, he or she may make a strong nominee.

If nobody really fulfills that idea for you, go ahead and submit a nomination for the group. You may just inspire the committee!

Stephanie John
Producer Who is the Jefferson Award named after and why?
Thank you, Paul Madwin

Paul,
When Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard created this public service award almost 35 years ago, they named it for Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States (1801-1809).

The thinking at the time was that Jefferson, as author of the Declaration of Independence, symbolized the ideal of service to the country. Although controversies have arisen over the years about Jefferson's personal life, the American Institute for Public Service remains dedicated to his ideas of public duty and helping one's fellow citizens.

Thanks for asking. I am interesting in contacting the award winner here in SF who was sending books to schools in Africa. Who is that person and how do I reach her? Thanks.
Roslyn Payne.

Dear Roslyn,
Thank you for your interest in the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. The web link to the story is: Chris Bradshaw

The link to get involved and help is: African Library Project

Sincerely,
Margaret Breslin Nasta
Director Media Relations
Jefferson Awards for Public Service Hello!

I'm doing a bit of research for a community project, and I'd like to know which of your award winners have been kids and teens. I've found two stories -- Kimball Kaufman and Marina Gatto -- are there any more?

Thank you for your time, and keep up the great programming!

Sincerely, Christina Libertini


Hi Christina,
In addition to Kimball and Marina, JW Knapen won the Jefferson Award in 2005 at the age of 16. His story aired first on April 6, 2005. Sadly, JW passed away in August of last year, but his dream to build a home for the families of young cancer patients is closer and closer to reality.

Next month, you'll see teenaged winner Taylor Chan, a story scheduled to air on August 9.

Thanks for writing,
Stephanie John
Producer Hi,
I would like more information on volunteering with the Jefferson Award (from July 5) winner's program, where people with Alzheimer's disease were painting and engaging in art activites to help bring back some of their memories.
Thank you,
Angela Rosensweig

Hi Angela,

Jefferson Award winner Toni Morley launched her program through the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California. You can reach them using this link: Alzheimer's Association Tell them you saw the story about Toni Morley and Memories in the Making and would like to volunteer.

Please let me know if I can help any further. We're so glad you wrote for information on getting involved!

Stephanie John
Producer Hi,
I would like to know how to get in touch with Jim and Janet Frazier. I would like to contribute some of my time and money to their project. They were featured quite a while ago.

Thanks for your help.
Katy Joy
Berkeley

Hi Katy,
You can reach Jim and Janet Frazier through The Network of Care by clicking Contact Us. People like you are making it possible for the Fraziers to expand their program to reach families in more hospitals around the Bay Area and California. Check out the update.

Thank you for getting involved - this is what the Jefferson Awards are all about!

Stephanie John
Producer Hi,
I'm confused about the Jefferson awards. I thought it was for volunteer services, or as it states, unsung heroes. After reading a few highlighted winners I see that it is for people who start or own businesses, like the Happy Talkers and the tennis pro reducing his fees. What am I missing here? I'd like to nominate someone but I'm not sure this is the right place for people who work for years in a club and get no compensation whatsoever. Can you clarify things for me? -Sheila

Sheila,
While many of the Bay Area Jefferson Award winners are volunteers, some business owners and paid employees are honored for their contributions above and beyond the call of commerce.

In the examples you cited, the winners are clearly inspired to help children even when it means making personal sacrifices. Tennis coach Don Johnson not only provides lessons at a reduced rate, he spends his summers running free day camps, making sure kids have a safe, fun, and educational experience. Happy Talkers founder Charlene Sigman did more than open a business, she opened her home - moving her entire family into a single bedroom so children who need speech therapy could use the rest of the house. Charlene makes sure no child who needs
therapy and cannot afford it is turned away.

The American Institute for Public Service, which established the Jefferson Awards in 1972, honors all community heroes, regardless of whether their community service stems from a paid position. We encourage you to nominate the person you think is deserving of this award!

Stephanie John
Producer, CBS 5 Jefferson Awards What is the nomination process for the Jefferson Awards? Is it by mail or email? Thanks, Rowena Kennedy.

You may submit a nomination on www.cbs5.com/jeffersonawards by clicking the icon called "Nominations." Inside, click "Submit a Nomination" and fill out the form on your screen. Then click submit.

If you prefer, you may print this form and mail it to us at:
Jefferson Awards
c/o Stephanie John CBS 5 News
855 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111 How do you select Jefferson Award winners? - Kathryn, San Francisco

The Bay Area steering committee for the Jefferson Awards meets about every three months at the CBS 5 studios. Each committee member gets a file of nominations to read in advance. Then, during the meeting, they discuss each nomination and select the people who exemplify the true spirit of public service. There is no set number of winners they must meet - sometimes a dozen people are worthy of recognition, sometimes fewer.

You may submit a nomination for this process by clicking "Nominations" on our Jefferson Awards main page.

To learn more about the steering committee members, click "Partners" on our Jefferson Awards main page.

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