The 2010 American Institute for Public Service Jefferson Award
To nominate an individual for the Jefferson Award, please click here.
Congratulations to our 2009 Winners!
The Jefferson Awards for Public Service are given annually as a way to recognize individuals for their community and public service efforts ... individuals who have made Wyoming, and the world, a better place. By recognizing and honoring outstanding public service, the Jefferson Awards also serve to encourage others to volunteer. The awards are sponsored statewide by KCWY News 13, Hilltop National Bank, Wyoming.com, and Volunteer Wyoming.
The following nominees, Robert (Bob) W. Cobb, Robert Lee Hance, Martin Huntley and Elmer Yarbrough, are the four nominees that our panel of statewide judges selected as the Wyoming State Winners. Each was presented an Award of Excellence and a Jefferson Award Medallion by Governor Freudenthal and Senator Enzi during the private luncheon that was held in Casper on April 14th, 2009. One of the four Wyoming Jefferson Award winners was chosen by a panel of judges at the headquarters of the Jefferson Awards in Delaware to represent the people of Wyoming at the national awards ceremony. That winner is Robert Lee Hance of Worland, Wyoming. Robert receives an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. that includes lodging at the historic Mayflower Hotel and a tour of our nation's capitol. The black-tie Gala Dinner and National Ceremony will take place on June 16th, 2009, immediately following a Senate Reception.
Robert Lee Hance is nominated for the 2009 Jefferson Awards because he is one of the hardest working men in Worland. He has been a Wyoming resident since 1969.
For the past 17 years, Bob has devoted endless hours volunteering for the local domestic violence shelter (VOVC). He is often woke up in the middle of the night to help put a battered woman in shelter, talk to a victim on the phone, or is needed to help fill out protection order forms. Sometimes he called upon to go to the post office and check the mail, take a victim to the grocery store, answer the phones at the office, picking up and dropping off kids for weekend parental visits, taking victims with a police escort to their homes to pick personal items, or sometimes he just holds the hand of a victim when she is in court.
Bob is a diabetic and also suffers cancer caused by asbestos from working in the navel shipyards in California when he was young. This year it was discovered that Bob's kidneys were in failure, but it does not stop him from volunteering. Bob and his wife have three children and seven grandchildren, one of which he cares for on almost a full-time basis. For the past 11 years Bob has also delivered for Meals On Wheels to the many homebound seniors in Worland. Whenever the center calls and needs a driver he never says no, sometimes he even delivers more then one route. Bob spends quality time teaching his grandson the importance of volunteer work, taking him along when delivering for Meals On Wheels.
During a 1997 murder trial, Bob and his wife made meals for the families of the victims, jurors, attorneys, and many others for around two weeks. Along with feeding around 35 people daily they also offered much needed comfort and support. Bob is also a 40 year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles local Aerie #3096, where he spends countless hours helping in the local club.
Robert (Bob) W. Cobb is nominated for the 2009 Jefferson Awards because Bob continues to give great public service as a private citizen. Since October 1999, he has accumulated over 5,900 hours of volunteer service.
Bob served as President of the Casper Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), and later as President of the State Federation of seven Chapters. He joined the Wyoming Medical Center Volunteer Program in 1993 and began and operated the bingo program at the hospital for three years. This program was available on closed circuit TV for the patients and their families and anyone interested could play and receive gifts for winning. This was a great distraction for those going through difficult times. He continues to work in the Oncology area, where he interacts with patients and their families, chatting, having coffee, and in general trying to lift their spirits. He drives the van to pick up and return patients who are in need of transportation for treatment. He spends 60 to 80 hours each month doing errands for patients.
Bob and his wife, Jan, have enjoyed being Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Christmas Lighting Ceremony at Conwell Park and for 11 years for the Boys and Girls Club. As a Golden Kiwanis member, he has read with students K-through 3rd grade, was in the Safe Kids Program, Wings Over Wyoming Air Show, Special Olympics, Platte River Parkway, Salvation Army and Blue Envelope Health Fair. He served on the Central Wyoming Senior Services Board. He and his wife have also delivered Meals on Wheels for 11 years. He enjoys all these activities.
Martin Huntley is nominated for the 2009 Jefferson Awards because his volunteerism has been unmatched in the Platte Valley for many years.
Marty has been a dedicated volunteer for the Saratoga Fire Department/Search and Rescue since 1977. In 1994, Marty became part of the Carbon County Fire and Search and Rescue. Then in 1982, Marty joined the Saratoga Odd Fellows and Sierra Madre Rebekah's. In the Rebekahs organization Marty helps cook pancakes every Sunday morning for the community. He also helps the organization with cleaning two miles of a highway for the Adopt-A-Highway Program.
Marty became very active with volunteering his time to the Saratoga Ambulance Service. Marty has been with the service as a driver and maintenance man for 10 years, before becoming an Emergency Medical Technician in 2001. Marty has been the ambulance assistant director for six months.
Marty has conquered many serious health problems for the past 11 years, but they did not stop him from volunteering. In 1998, Marty had a challenge of Diverticulitis, and from 2004 to 2007 he had the huge challenge of fighting a rare cancer. Marty went through seven weeks of high intense radiation, but still came home on the weekends to volunteer to the community. Marty's motto is "People have given me so much, if I can give and help the community, then I feel like I have made a big difference."
Elmer Yarbrough is nominated for the 2009 Jefferson Awards because he has been completely selfless with regard to his volunteering. He volunteers for Wyoming Senior Citizen's Inc., and he is a Senior Companion.
Elmer helps people remain independent and in their own homes. He helps to keep people out of nursing homes. He has been a companion to these folks since 1996. He assists five to seven clients a week: taking them to doctor appointments, to grocery stores, walking and exercising with clients, visiting with them, taking them to the senior center, and basically, being a friend to all. Many of his clients are so lonely, and Elmer is so helpful, loving, and compassionate. Some of his clients are long-term and some are short term. He has literally assisted hundreds of folks in Natrona County to help them remain in their own homes. Here's an example: One of Elmer's clients has Parkinson's disease and needs to walk and exercise weekly. Elmer is over 80 and has bad knees, but he still walks three miles a day with this client to help him with his Parkinson's.
Congratulations to all of the 2009 Jefferson Award Nominees and Winners!
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Watch for the 2010 Jefferson Awards Call for Nominations, beginning in December, 2009, and nominate someone you know who deserves recognition for their volunteerism in your Wyoming community.
