Volunteer Center of Johnson County gives top honor to Leawood couple

For more than 20 years, Fred and Carol Logan have donated their time and efforts to various agencies and causes throughout the metro area and especially in Johnson County.

To honor them for their dedication to the community, the Volunteer Center of Johnson County has named the Logans the 2009 Volunteers of the Year.

They will receive their award Friday, July 10, during the center's 15th annual Viva La Volunteer reception at the Overland Park Sheraton Hotel.

Together and individually, the Leawood residents have put their touch on key initiatives around the metro area, from educational endeavors to cultural causes.

"Carol and Fred aren't simply volunteers. They bring a professional commitment and civic passion to what they do, and our community would not be the same without their contributions," Elaine Perilla, Volunteer Center of Johnson County executive director, said. "They inspire the people around them, they elicit respect and a collaborative spirit that is essential to volunteerism. We are quite pleased to honor them this year."

The center presented the first Volunteer of the Year award in 1995. Recipients are typically community leaders who are civic-minded and have a broad reach.

"We look for people who are really engaged in the community," Perilla said. "We look at their volunteer efforts, work on boards, financial contributions, what they care about."

Previous award winners Bob and Ann Regnier, Leawood, nominated the Logans for the honor and board members selected the Logans from an impressive list of nominees.

"There are nominees who have different kinds of community involvement, and it was (the Logans') depth of engagement that they both have, for as far back as anyone could remember, whether it be with their children at school or with organizations they care about. Every area we looked at, they were highlighted and really outstanding," Perilla said.

Carol is an avid supporter of the arts and devotes many volunteer hours toward advancing the interests of children. She volunteers as a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and with the Children's Relief Association at Children's Mercy Hospital.

She also was a longtime volunteer for the Johnson County branch of the Heart of America Chapter of the United Way, and currently serves on the Johnson County Community College Foundation executive committee and the St. Luke's South Hospital Foundation advisory committee.

"Volunteering is a choice, but for us it also is part of who we are, a part of our lives," Carol said. "We firmly believe that the gifts you are given are multiplied if you can find a way to give back to your community and to those in need.

"You get more than you give, that's always been my experience. You make great connections with other folks in your community and organizations that are looking for help and can use our support. Being engaged in your community, it's a real privilege."

Fred, a lawyer, has devoted his time to several causes in the area of business, economic development, education and community service.

He has supported education in Johnson County, including serving as co-chair of the Committee for Excellence, the advocacy group for the Shawnee Mission School District. He also chaired campaigns for a countywide sales tax for schools in 2002 and 2005.

Fred has served as a vice president of the Johnson County Community College Foundation, as well as on the college's board of trustees from 1992 to 1997. He chaired the successful 2008 campaign to establish the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle.

 Currently, he is a vice chair and executive committee member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of directors of St. Luke's South Hospital.

Fred, who was named Johnson Countian of the Year in 2008 by the Johnson County Community College Foundation, said he is pleased he and Carol are receiving the Volunteer of the Year award.

"I'm honored beyond words," he said. "I'm not sure that I'm worthy, particularly when I compared what I've done to some of the other people who have received that honor. For every effort I've volunteered for, for  the campaigns I've done for schools or the (education) triangle campaign, I feel it's been a privilege. I've been happy to do it. I think there's just so much need for people to volunteer their time and efforts, and it is so important."

Carol echoes her husband's sentiments.

"I'm just delighted," she said. "The volunteer center does such good work. We've watched them over the years, and Elaine has really brought life and energy to the organization. When we consider the list of folks who we follow as recipients of this award, we're awfully flattered and honored."

Also presented Friday will be the senior and youth volunteer of the year awards, which will be received by Beth Hall and Dedan McEllhiney, respectively.

Hall began volunteering with Harvesters Community Food Network as a board member and completed her second term as board chair in 2008. She took on the responsibility of serving as co-chair for the Harvesters is the Solution capital campaign and exceeded the $11.5 million goal, and co-chaired the Harvesters' Building Hope Initiatives campaign, raising $20 million.

Hall also volunteers for Harvesters' annual fundraising efforts, including Check-Out Hunger, Harvest of Hope and Forks & Corks, and has made significant contributions to the Kansas City community through the Central Exchange, Powell Gardens, the Rehabilitation Institute, and Women's Employment Network. 

McEllhiney has volunteered at St. Luke's Hospital on the Country Club Plaza since 2006, completing more than 239 service hours in the Patient Transportation Department.

"I have gotten more positive feedback on Dedan's performance than on any other youth volunteer," Sheila Hogg, St. Luke's youth volunteer coordinator, said. "He always asks questions and is not afraid to offer his own input. He is trustworthy, alert and safety-oriented. He can be counted on to perform any task unsupervised. Dedan goes out of his way to stay busy and offers his help wherever it may be needed."

The Volunteer Center of Johnson County was founded in 1970 with a mission to promote and advance volunteerism through education and training.

The center has matched thousands of volunteers to county and metro area organizations, charities and agencies.

For information, call 341-1792 or visit www.vcjc.org.

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