News Summary

FAIRFIELD — Some outstanding people who work with children and have influenced their lives will be recognized for their commitment next week.

Three individuals, a couple and a team of educators are set to be honored during the 13th annual Celebrating Families Community Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. April 20 at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center on Boymel Drive in Fairfield. Recipients will be given the Outstanding Advocates for Children and Families award.

"The Outstanding Advocate awards are so inspiring," said Pam Mortensen, committee member of Celebrating Families and director of family life programs at Catholic Social Services. "It reminds us that there are some very special people in Butler County who are making a difference."

The committee is comprised of Catholic Social Services; Butler County Children Services Board; Butler County Educational Service Center Head Start Program; Alcohol and Chemical Abuse Council of Southwestern Ohio; Butler County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities; Butler County Family and Children First Council/Help Me Grow; LifeSpan, Inc.; Malachi; The Ohio State University Extension Office of Butler County; Supports to Encourage Low-income Families; Butler County Probate Court; the Family Resource Center in Oxford and the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services.

This year's honorees are:

Mike and Joy Bolin

What began as an opportunity to teach their children how to bowl has become the Columbia Youth Bowling Leagues 25 years later. Now the couple coaches their grandchildren as well as others from all ages and backgrounds. Among the leagues' accomplishments are 32 regional and 16 state championships.

"It's a great feeling. I'm surprised by all the time and effort it takes," Mike Bolin said about coaching the children. "It's amazing the different lifestyles we learn from them and they learn from us."

Mary Gressle

Mary Gressle says being kinship navigator coordinator for Help Me Grow is the best job she's ever had. She helps families, who are typically grandparents raising their grandchildren, find services and programs that range from child rearing to emotional support.

Gressle is the mother of a special needs child and experienced many of the same obstacles as the guardians who didn't know where to turn for services. She's also been involved with the Hope House, Side-by-Side Mentoring and the Butler County Educational Service Center Head Start.

"I feel honored that my clients would nominate me," Gressle said. "I really feel I've made a difference with families and connecting them to resources."

Cathy Hester

Cathy Hester is the children's center coordinator for the Hamilton Living Waters Ministry on Sycamore Street. Hester is also a volunteer sponsor for the Living Water's Praise Dance Team of school-aged children. The dance team performs using sign language.

"I'm very honored and very humbled," Hester said. "Honestly, I don't know that I do much more than anybody. Success is nothing that I do alone. I believe we're making a difference to keep them active and off the street."

Hester's volunteerism includes leading Bible study with women who are incarcerated and homeless outreach among other church-related interests.

Sharon Schmidt

As a parent of special-needs children, Sharon Schmidt has extended her dedication to children like her own by creating Fight Autism Now, an online support group. She also serves as facilitator for Butler County Family and Children First Council among other parent advocacy activities.

"Having four children with disabilities has made me have a strong passion for helping others," Schmidt said. "My son sees what I'm doing and that means a whole lot to me."

Talawanda Preschool Team

Jackie Kalbli, Kathy James, Lois Meade, Mary Kozak, Amy Volmer and Candy Yates make up the Talawanda Preschool Team recognized for teaching at-risk and developmentally delayed children.

Talawanda School Psychologist Mary Beth Bergeron nominated the team. She described them as a diverse and highly skilled group who help children learn.

"Preschool is important for children of all skill levels," Bergeron said. "Elementary school has become highly academic. (Preschool) offers an opportunity for children to be part of a group, which provides lots of stimulus they might not get in kindergarten. I am extremely proud of this team. These ladies are unsung heroes."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or chubbard@coxohio.com.