Galaxy Awards - End of the Year Volunteer Awards

Darcy Milder - 03:17pm Dec 17, 2007 EST
Share Your Story Moderator

The March of Dimes is appreciative of all of its volunteers and realizes the important roles they play in accomplishing the objectives of our Mission. Here at Share Your Story we’ve even taken action to acknowledge those of our members who go above and beyond in their volunteerism by spotlighting them in our Shining Stars folder.

One thing you may not be aware of is that Share your Story itself is almost entirely volunteer maintained and operated. That’s right! Many of our members volunteer their time online as virtual volunteers to ensure that Share Your Story maintains the warm quality that has made it your first choice for healing, support, comfort and friendship. We would now like to acknowledge these members who work tirelessly to maintain and improve upon the discussion boards and blogs here at Share Your Story and volunteer their hours to supporting others.

In keeping in the manner of Academy Awards, we now present to you the...




The Share Community Spirit Award - The recipients of this award have made a noteworthy contribution to this community. They have a kindred interest in helping to develop this community and have offered up their volunteer time and experience to help guide other members.

The 2007 recipients of the ’Share Community Spirit Award’ are:


· Aimee (Aileigh) · Angi (PHOENIX'S MOM) · Chris (ffemtp628) · Desiree ( Desiree )

· Elizabeth (ehbeagle) · Jessica (Jessica Bracy) · Julie (Whosures)

· Julie (alyssa's mommy) · Kate (katestclair) · Kathryn (Kathryn:M&E'sMom)

· Kelly (Kel jacksons mom) · Kena (Kena) · Leigh (TUCKER'SMOM)

· Lori (girlyhurley) · Mary (makcalla) · Melissa (pj'smom)

· Michele (MICHELE REEVES) · Sharlene (Sharlene+2) · Stacey (Quadmom25)

· Todd (Elliot's Dad) · Tommie (AandO) · Tracy (Angel Love)

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The Share Community Outreach Award - This award goes to both Colleen (GradyGabbyAbby) and Tracy (Lesleylynn) for opening their arms and their hearts in welcoming members to this community. They understand the reasons that bring most parents here to Share and have a genuine concern for each of our members to feel loved and supported throughout their stay in our community.

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The Share Community Progressive Award - The recipient of this award is Shonda (2 here 2 in heaven) for accelerating to a certain level of involvement at a fast rate. Shonda joined Share Your Story on April 8, 2006 at the urging of her friends. Hesitant at first, she quickly embraced this community and now strives hard to help other members make the most of their 'Share experience'. She is a strong presence here at Share Your Story and has helped our community grow.

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The Share Community Technology Award - This one goes to Carissa. Carissa has been a Share Your Story member since October 26, 2004 and since then, she has used her ever-growing techno-savvy skills to make Share Your Story a more aesthetically pleasing place. Carissa was responsible for the beautiful and touching Remembrance Ceremony Video at this year's ShareUnion. She did a beautiful job. Carissa also recently began hosting our Live Chats.

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The Share Community Relevance Award - This award goes to Karri for the valuable role she has played in helping to address important issues within our community. Karri has been a member of Share since September 28, 2004. She has served this community well by coordinating and implementing many of the Live chats we've had here at Share on hot topics such as bedrest, cabin fever, coping with loss, volunteering and many more.

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The Share Leisure Activity Award - There are two recipients for this award! The recipients of this award are Donna (Donna S.) and Jaclyn (LilyGrace's Mom) for taking on the role of activity coordinators. Donna has been a member of Share Your Story since January 27, 2005. Jaclyn has been a Share Your Story member since April 17, 2006. Donna and Jaclyn recognize that although 'Share' is a great source of comfort and support, many of our members consider it a refuge they frequent to take their mind off their troubles. Donna has helped give Share that special 'community' feeling by encouraging members to interact in more lighthearted conversation and activity. She coordinates the Share book club as well as entertaining us all daily with the 'café quizzes'. Jaclyn has provided Share Your Story with many interactive and entertaining activities, including our recent holiday-themed activities in the Community Center. We consider them Share's 'Hostesses with the mostest'! and our "cruise directors"

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The Share Community Resources Award - The recipient of this award is Kara (McTripletMommy) for repeatedly showing true compassion in her efforts to help our members find solutions to their problems and concerns. As the mom of premature triplet boys, she has much experience to draw from. If she does happen upon a situation she has no experience with, she will go out of her way to help this member find an answer. Kara joined Share Your Story on April 19, 2005 and has since been an integral part of this community. She has also shared her experiences through her blog 'The McTriplets' and with more than 300 blogs under her belt, we consider her 'Bloggerific'!

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The Share Community Involvement Award - This award goes to Karen <DNASMOM>, who may be surprised to see her name here! She is the creator of both Share's Shining Stars and these Galaxy Awards, too. In fact, she is the driving force behind our Get Involved folder - helping to motivate our virtual volunteers and Share Your Story members to get involved with our mission locally and nationally. Karen has been a member since March 25, 2006.

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The Share Community Leadership Award - Our top award! The recipient of this award has really stepped up to the plate in helping to maintain and improve all facets of Share Your Story. This member has been a major influence in developing and coordinating new and existing areas of discussion to better suit the needs of our community members. She has been a source of comfort and a great organizer, devoting many hours to the behind-the-scenes operations here at Share Your Story.

The Community Leadership Award goes to Denise ("weerock"). Since joining Share Your Story on October 6, 2004, Denise has been instrumental in the management of this community. She has worked on numerous behind-the-scenes projects and has been a major influence in developing and coordinating new and existing areas of discussion to better suit the needs of this community. She also served as Committee Chair in the planning and development of ShareUnion 2007. Her excellence in leadership has taken this community to a higher level of standard. She reaches out to our members with a warm embrace and encouraging words - as is evident in her more than 11,100 posts. Thank you, Denise, for all your volunteer hours and leadership time!

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Statistically Speaking

Most posts on Share Your Story: Denise (weerock)

Most posts in a single year: Shonda (2 here, 2 in heaven)

Most blogs ever: Kara (McTriplet Mommy)

Most blogs in a single year: Sarah (Quinn's Mommy)

Longest active member: Michele



James and I are so very grateful to all our amazing volunteers. We can't thank you enough! If YOU want to volunteer on Share Your Story and help make a difference for our community, like these amazing volunteers, please email James SooHoo (jsoohoo@marchofdimes.com) or Darcy Milder (dmilder@marchofdimes.com).

Thank you all!