Findlay, OH - The United Way of Hancock County's Volunteer Center has selected the Janowiecki Family as this month's Spotlight Volunteer. The entire family is very involved in volunteerism. Paul Janowiecki, father of the family, volunteers with the Academic Boosters Club at Findlay High School. He is a regular Red Cross blood donor. He also volunteers on the Boy Scouts board of review and is a past school advisory council member at St. Michael School.
Barb Janowiecki volunteers with many organizations including Hancock County Humane Society as a Share A Pet volunteer. She is also a volunteer in the Findlay High School student activities center. She is the current treasurer for Boy Scout Troop 319, a Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael Church, assistant to Findlay Music Booster Treasurer and is a 4-H Advisor for "WOW", the 4-H Unicycle Club.
Their eldest son, Steven, 21, volunteers as an organist at St. Michael Church as well as volunteering at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where he works during public telescope observation nights. In the past, he has been a tour guide for the Hancock Park District. He currently volunteers in Cleveland where he attends Case Western Reserve University. He writes and grades tests given to students in the Science Olympiad competition.
Daughter, Emily, 17, is a volunteer pianist for St. Michael Church's children choir. She is also a living history interpreter at Litzenberg McKinnis House. Emily is a past secretary of "WOW" 4-H Unicycle Club and is a Junior Statesman where she has most recently been involved with a fundraiser for bed-nets and wells in Africa.
The youngest Janowiecki, Mark, took on the United Way Night of Giving children's area last year as his Eagle Scout project. He is also a living history interpreter at Litzenberg McKinnis House and has served as vice president of "WOW" 4-H Unicycle Club.
The Janowiecki's worked together, as a family, to assist in the conversion of a classroom at St. Michael Middle School into a computer lab. As a family they painted, ordered carpet, ordered and assembled furniture, configured computer equipment, received donations of air conditioners and coordinated many other aspects of the project.
When Mrs. Janowiecki was asked why the family volunteers so often, she replied "it is everyone's responsibility to give back to others to the extent that they are able. It's a good way to make things around you just a little bit better. And it feels good." When asked about her children's volunteer experiences, she said, "It's wonderful that they are willing to give back their talents to others. Talents weren't given to keep them all to themselves. Also, the kids really like doing the living history at Litzenberg - especially since they go barefoot in the warmer months. Simple pleasures."
To nominate an adult, youth or family for Spotlight Volunteer, please contact Bev Phillips, volunteer services director, at 419-423-1432 or bphillips@uwhancock.org. A nomination form is also available online at http://uwhancock.org. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Hancock County, go to the United Way website and click on "To Volunteer, Click Here!
