By Kathi Stearns, Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Archbishop John F. Donoghue presented plaques to 10 people and three corporations for their devotion and volunteer service to Catholic Social Services (CSS) at a reception Feb. 21.

The reception, which was held at the archbishop’s residence, was intended to thank all volunteers for their outstanding leadership. The theme of the evening was “Volunteering...a Work of Heart.”

The Henry deGive award was presented to past CSS board member James Harrington for outstanding service. The award, a framed piece of art with a Scripture citation and plaque, recognized Harrington as “a steadying force in a period of transition.”

“He facilitated the discussion when we merged our finance office (CSS’s office) with the archdiocesan office,” said Pam Buckmaster, executive director of Catholic Social Services. “His leadership during this period was outstanding.”

This was only the second time the award was given. In November, 1993, the award now named for him was given to Mr. deGive for this lifetime of work with the poor and disenfranchised in the city. He is a founding member of Catholic Social Services.

The Daphne Madol award was presented to Kathy Haj for outstanding service to the Crisis Pregnancy Hotline from its inception in July 1993. She helped compile the Volunteer Resource Manual, answers hotline calls and follows through on adoption inquiry calls. Despite physical challenges Ms. Haj travels by MARTA to the Catholic Center to volunteer.

Other CSS units presented Heart of Gold Awards to their outstanding volunteer.

Janet Larango received the award from Counseling Services/Project Aware for outstanding dedication to the goal of preventing child abuse in the Catholic community.

Maritza Licameli received the same award for exceptional service to Hispanic Services. Her work has included telephone and referral services, liaison work between clients and service providers, client care planning and provision of follow-up services.

Ana de Rojas, a volunteer for Immigration Services since 1986, received the Heart of Gold Award for her dedicated efforts and good will in spite of illness and other personal challenges.

In-Home Services presented its award to Walter and Mary Alice Foster who were among the unit’s first volunteers in 1990 to people who because of age or illness are homebound.

Barbara Kruse received her award after volunteering for Migration and Refugee Services since 1991. Officially assigned to teach English and American culture to two refugee families, Ms. Kruse went beyond her task to become deeply involved with the daily problems of refugee families, helping them find work, access medical care and even assisting them with the process of purchasing homes.

Rural Social Services presented its award to Ron Seder. As the first president of the Board of Consulters, Seder headed the fundraising committee which was instrumental in the purchase of the new site for The Place in Cumming. He also worked to establish two fundraising events, the Tour of Homes and the Epicurean Dinner, and was involved in the development of Good Shepherd Place.

Jerome Keane, who has served as chairman of the board for CSS-Athens for two consecutive terms and has been a member of the advisory board since 1991, was awarded the Heart of Gold for his fundraising efforts for the Athens program.

Corporate Heart of Gold Awards were also presented to the following corporation: WAGA-TV, Channel 5, for providing free air time for almost two years of public service announcements promoting the Crisis Pregnancy Hotline; to Maternal and Infant Care Access and Northside Hospital for providing free prenatal and obstetrical services to clients in need since October 1990; and to Georgia Power Co. whose contributions in support of the Southside Community Center help provide 1,000 refugees living in the Grant Park area with after-school programs, health and employment services, support groups and cultural orientation.

The names of the award winners have been engraved on a plaque which is displayed in the Volunteer Hall of Fame located outside the executive offices of CSS.

CSS, a volunteer organization of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, began operating in 1947 with two social workers who initially focused on families in financial need or personal crisis. Incorporated in 1953 CSS became a full-time office on Sept. 1 of that year and today has a professional staff of 59 and over 500 volunteers.