Shirley Jean Drake - the Spark for Many Charitable Initiatives
Wednesday, May 26 2010 @ 02:21 PM GMT+5
What would our communities be like without volunteers like Shirley Jean Drake! Shirley Jean, and many unsung heroes, have helped to make life better in the greater Muscatine area. We think it’s time to sing their praises!
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine is establishing the Great Initiatives program. At the heart of the program will be an annual award to foster volunteerism and recognize those who spark meaningful, lasting initiatives benefiting Muscatine County.
The inaugural award went to Shirley Jean Drake at our annual Community Foundation Celebration! She helped to spawn many lasting initiatives. She was often among the first to step forward for groups like the Community Foundation, Flickinger Learning Center and the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. Pastor Phillips from Pearl City Outreach said Shirley Jean supported and encouraged her and the initial concept even when others thought it wouldn’t work. Today they feed those in need with nine meals a week and provide many children’s programs for at–risk youth. “Even with a broken hip, Shirley Jean came to the kid’s Christmas dinner and played the piano for the party.”
Annual recipients who follow Shirley Jean must exemplify the best of what she brings to the charitable community. To spark new initiatives and ensure continued success of existing programs, the award included a $1,000 stipend that Shirley Jean directed to the Muscatine Art Center and Musser Museum. All recipients who follow, can direct their stipend to the charitable initiative of their choosing.
We want to create a lasting recognition program for Great Initiatives and need your support. Gifts are still being accepted in honor of Shirley Jean Drake as well as our Partners in Philanthropy program. If you have ideas as to how this program can expand to foster and recognize volunteerism in Muscatine County, please email cfgm@machlink.com.
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine is establishing the Great Initiatives program. At the heart of the program will be an annual award to foster volunteerism and recognize those who spark meaningful, lasting initiatives benefiting Muscatine County.
The inaugural award went to Shirley Jean Drake at our annual Community Foundation Celebration! She helped to spawn many lasting initiatives. She was often among the first to step forward for groups like the Community Foundation, Flickinger Learning Center and the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. Pastor Phillips from Pearl City Outreach said Shirley Jean supported and encouraged her and the initial concept even when others thought it wouldn’t work. Today they feed those in need with nine meals a week and provide many children’s programs for at–risk youth. “Even with a broken hip, Shirley Jean came to the kid’s Christmas dinner and played the piano for the party.”
Annual recipients who follow Shirley Jean must exemplify the best of what she brings to the charitable community. To spark new initiatives and ensure continued success of existing programs, the award included a $1,000 stipend that Shirley Jean directed to the Muscatine Art Center and Musser Museum. All recipients who follow, can direct their stipend to the charitable initiative of their choosing.
We want to create a lasting recognition program for Great Initiatives and need your support. Gifts are still being accepted in honor of Shirley Jean Drake as well as our Partners in Philanthropy program. If you have ideas as to how this program can expand to foster and recognize volunteerism in Muscatine County, please email cfgm@machlink.com.