Topekan sets volunteerism example to be followed
Lt. Governor Parkinson says more volunteers needed

Dave Meek of Topeka was a 2008 finalist for the “Above and Beyond Citizen Honors” given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. This society is made up of past Medal of Honor recipients who have banded together and recognize three civilian Americans each year for their commitment to ‘service before self’.

 “Dave is a great example of how Kansans give back to communities around our state,” said Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson, leader of the state wide volunteer initiative, Volunteer Kansas.

As a volunteer emergency medical technician, Meek used his boat to rescue those trapped during the Shawnee County flood in October 2005. Over the course of 20 straight hours, Meek evacuated 75 people, including 56 elderly Kansans from a nursing home. He has been also involved in nonprofit canine search and rescue efforts and was selected as the 2007 National Nurse Hero by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing.

“Dave’s actions and lifelong passion for volunteering personify the kind of ‘service before self’ mantra Kansas is proud of,” Parkinson said.

The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) provides grants to community programs, encourages volunteerism for everyone and helps strengthen and expand Volunteer Centers in Kansas. The KVC is seeking new members who want to make a positive difference in Kansas communities.

“Kansas needs to identify and recognize more of the people making a difference in their communities,” Parkinson said. “Through the KVC, we can further our efforts to address community needs and foster a collective commitment to lifelong service.”

Over 780,000 Kansans on average have volunteered each of the last five years. This puts the Sunflower state’s volunteering rate at fifth in the nation. In 2006, Kansans volunteer work was valued at over 1.73 billion dollars.

Kansans interested in being a part of the KVC, can contact Zona Clennan, with the KVC at 785.368.6207 or zclennan@ksde.org.

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