By Erika Anderson

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Several hundred volunteers were honored by Catholic Social Services (CSS) for their distinguished service at a reception held at the residence of Archbishop John F. Donoghue March 13.

Awards were given at the reception honoring the top volunteers for the agency's seven programs.

Arthur Anderson, award winner from Immigration Services, has served with the program for eight years, helping with group naturalization sessions and naturalizations in the office. His biggest contribution has been in the maintenance of the program's asylum files.

Stuart Cashin, Community Connections/Parish Social Ministry winner, has served on CSS' Board of Directors for 20 years and served four years as chairman. He has played a key role for the past two years in helping community groups funded by the archdiocese's Campaign for Human Development Committee (CHD). Cashin is also active with the international Catholic peace movement, PAX Christi, and regularly visits prisoners on death row.

Award winner from The Place, Norma Malone, has been recognized by the Milken Foundation as one of the best English as a Second Language (ESOL) teachers in Georgia. She has served with the children's program at The Place for six years, performing outreach work and helping families with bilingual communications.

Pat and Chuck McVicker are the award winners from Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Services. As one of the first couples to apply to become foster parents in the program in 1985, the McVickers have had 25 infants placed in their care throughout the years. They have also been sensitive to the emotional needs of the birthparents and adoptive parents during the adoption decision-making process.

Multicultural Services honored Phil and Kathy Overton, who volunteer for the Family Friend program. They teach the families they befriend how to navigate MARTA, do homework and adjust to life in America. The Overtons have also been recognized for their exemplary service as volunteers on Channel 11's "Positively Georgia."

Counseling Services/Project Aware honoree, Ann Price, was recognized for her knowledge of abuse, interest in helping to end abuse and understanding and dedication to the Catholic Church. Price also edits manuals, designs formats, compiles data and writes reports for both Project Aware and Counseling Services.

CSS-Athens award winner, Sam Sailors, has volunteered for the agency for three years, supervising and working on Christmas floats, helping to move the office to a new location, installing telephone lines, building shelves and racks for the Thrift Store and picking up donations. He was honored for his willingness and ability to perform whatever tasks are needed.

At a brief ceremony during the event, Archbishop Donoghue offered a prayer and commended the dedication of the entire group, emphasizing the importance of volunteers to the success of the work of CSS and the church.

Award winners were announced by CSS executive director, Pam Buckmaster, and program directors spoke about the achievements of those receiving awards.

Annually, through CSS' seven diverse programs, volunteers help to serve more than 40,000 people in need throughout the archdiocese.