The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s “Breakfast With Champions” virtual series, highlighting the contributions of dedicated volunteers from around the Lehigh Valley, continued April 21-27 with a new set of nominees for several recognition categories - “Organizational Advocate,” “Retired Volunteer of the Year,” “Transformational Volunteer,” “Volunteer Leader” and “Volunteer Team.”

Finishing out the “Organizational Advocate” category, Nancy Handzo, a volunteer with the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, was honored for her dedicated belief in the organization’s mission and creative, enthusiastic work.

“As the chair of the development committee and as a member of Elizabeth’s Circle, she advocates for Third Street Alliance and has brought in many new supporters,” the Volunteer Center wrote in Handzo’s post.

On April 22, the two nominees for the breakfast’s new “Retired Volunteer of the Year” category were honored by the Volunteer Center.

The first nominee was Joanne Snyder, with the Norwescap Food Bank.

“Joanne Snyder is one of the most reliable volunteers the Norwescap Food Bank has ever had,” her commemorative post read, praising her work updating the food bank’s accounts, adaptability and positive attitude. “She is a delightful addition to our ‘Food Bank Family.’”

The second contender for “Retired Volunteer of the Year” was JoEllen Bartolacci, who volunteers with the Mercy School for Special Learning and was praised by Mercy School staff in her post.

“No matter what JoEllen is asked to tackle in the classroom - multiplication bingo, academic questions or reading assignments - she does it with a smile and competently,” the staff wrote.

“Thank you, JoEllen for sharing your gifts with Room 5 and Mercy School!”

The next day, nominees for “Transformational Volunteer” were featured by the Volunteer Center, beginning with Nelisa Gaud with the Sixth Street Shelter.

In her post, The Volunteer Center wrote how Gaud’s story is a “wonderful inspiration to anyone who has struggled with homelessness,” noting how Gaud used resources at the center with her four children, including one with a serious medical condition requiring constant care, and also used her time at the shelter to focus on developing her career.

“She found a wonderful career opportunity and, once she started working at her new job, her story served as motivation for her co-workers to join and volunteer together at the shelter on a regular basis,” her post read. “Nelisa was able to come from a situation of needing to receive assistance to being able to give back. It is truly a story of transformation and thriving.”

The second “Transformational Volunteer” nominee was Bob McCall, with the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

“Bob turned his situation of involuntary job loss into a new career of volunteering on a weekly basis for a few nonprofits,” the Volunteer Center wrote about McCall.

The final entrant in the “Transformational Volunteer” category was Emily Quist, nominated by the Mercy School for Special Learning.

Mercy staff shared Quist’s story, noting that since graduating in 2010, Quist has actively volunteered in the Mercy School’s preschool and adapted physical education program, and has spent additional volunteer time at DeSales University as an office volunteer and at DeSales’ Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival as an usher with her father.

The next category of honorees were the “Volunteer Leaders,” which kicked off with Laurie Hackett, director of community relations at Air Products and a volunteer with the Mercy School for Special Learning.

“For as long as Laurie has occupied this position at her company, Mercy School has been squarely positioned on her radar screen as an organization that fits right in with the philanthropic priorities of her company,” Mercy staff wrote, praising Hackett’s conviction for the school’s mission and advocacy for their cause.

The next “Volunteer Leader” nominee was Cathy McCormick with the Third Street Alliance for Women & Children.

“As co-chair of the Bistro Committee, Cathy has led a growing number of committee members and has brought additional sponsors and guests to the event,” McCormick’s post read, noting that under her leadership the bistro event has “evolved in elegance, fun and financial support from both sponsors and individuals.”

Additionally, Lara Ruesch from the Center for Humanistic Change was also nominated for the “Volunteer Leader” title.

“Lara has provided unfailing leadership to our board and our team for eight years, with two years as president, and two years as vice president,” CHC staff wrote for Ruesch’s nomination.

The final nominee for “Volunteer Leader”- also a double nominee for the following “Volunteer Team” category” - was Elizabeth Page and her team’s dedicated work with The Salvation Army’s Hospitality House.

“Beth was the team leader but she and her team have sponsored the families at our Shelter for the past 5 years!” staff wrote about Page and company’s nomination for both volunteer categories. “They have gone out of their way to make every adult and child’s dream come true every year.”

The second April 27 nominee for “Volunteer Team” were Rose and Tom Brauchle for their time and dedicated service with The Lehigh County Humane Society.

Volunteer Center staff praised the Brauchles for their assistance and advocacy for animals at the Humane Society.

“Rose and her husband Tom are outstanding volunteers for the LCHS! They come together and walk dogs for hours in all weather ailments. They are huge advocates for LCHS,” Stephanie Skyriotis, the Humane Society’s event/volunteer coordinator, wrote for the Brauchle’s commemoration post.

All entries for the “Breakfast With Champions” series can be found online at the Volunteer Center’s Facebook page at facebook.com/volunteerlv.