23 comments

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Tom E.

Cary, IL
Nominated by Jane Farmer

Volunteered for:

Turning Point, Inc. - Domestic Violence

Length of Service:

9 years

Hours per Month:

15

January 26, 2012

Turning Point's mission is to confront violence against women and children in McHenry County. Much of our funding comes from grants and private donors so volunteers are the heart and soul of our agency. Tom Erwin is one of the major arteries that allow our programs to continue to flow year after year. Volunteering with our agency weekly since 2003, he is very respectful and unintimidating to our clients who may be coming from a place of fear regarding men. Tom is very dependable, loyal, organized and efficient. If given a title at Turning Point, it would definitely be “Jack of All Trades.” He has done many different tasks ranging from hanging blinds in the emergency shelter, taking out garbage and recycling to checking lighting fixtures and exterior building work. He is also vigilant about making sure all the exit lights work to keep our staff and clients safe. He has saved Turning Point thousands of dollars in repairs he recognizes before they become a problem. Tom also is honest about knowing when he can repair something or when need to call an outside source. This is all done with a wonderful attitude and a guaranteed smile if you pass him in the hallway. We can’t say enough about what a great asset he is to Turning Point. The staff loves him and they look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when it is a “Tom day”. Tom unfortunately had to take six months off to act as a care-giver for his wife, who recently died after a long battle with cancer. He is now back helping to keep Turning Point safe and secure. He is deserving of many things in life we are glad we can show him our appreciation through this nomination.

 

Comments and congratulations from others

  1. February 2, 2012 at 01:59 pm | Posted by Jane Farmer

    Tom is truly amazing. He has been so incredibly invaluable to Turning Point. He has saved the agency so much money by volunteering his time to be our handyman, and taking care of our recycling and garbage. His kind and compassionate manner make him such a pleasure to have on site. I am grateful for all he does and to have his commitment for so many years is truly a blessing!

  2. February 2, 2012 at 02:11 pm | Posted by Joe

    Wow- am I glad to see this! I work at Turning Point and don't know what we'd do without Tom. He is so deserving of this honor! Congratulations and thank you Tom!!

  3. February 2, 2012 at 02:13 pm | Posted by Lynn Broederdorf

    I work in the Front Office at Turning Point. We depend on Tom for so many different things throughout the agency. He is respectful to staff and clients...loves doing for others and is a joy and inspiration to those of us who know him and work with him at Turning Point.

  4. February 2, 2012 at 02:16 pm | Posted by Jennifer Kenning

    What a wonderfully kind and giving human being Tom is. We are certainly lucky to have him as a volunteer at Turning Point all these years!

  5. February 2, 2012 at 02:17 pm | Posted by Michelle

    I am the office manager at Turning Point. I have worked with Tom for the entire 9 years he has volunteered with us. I am the staff person responsible for the management of the buildings, and I can't express enough how much easier my job is because of having Tom as a volunteer. He needs no supervision. He comes in and does whatever needs to be done. He also is a huge help to me in problem solving issues that come up with the buildings. Tom in an valuable member of the Turning Point family and an true example of service in your community!! We LOVE Tom!!!

  6. February 2, 2012 at 02:20 pm | Posted by Mary Anne Weltch

    I have known Tom for several years. During that time, he has generously volunteered his time to do do needed "handyman" activities for Turning Point, our local domestic violence agency. Later, I came to know Tom personally. When I was very sick, he and his wife, Carol, were compassionate friends. When Carol also was sick, we were a sounding-board for each other. During good times and bad, Tom is always gentle, listening to others needs, putting others first, and being the kind of father and grandfather most families dream of having. I strongly support this nomination for Tom; he's a fantastic man.

  7. February 2, 2012 at 02:21 pm | Posted by Anahi Perez

    I work at Turning Point as a receptionist and I really appreciate all the work he does for all the staff. He is also consider a friend to me he is not just a volunteer. I hope he continue to stay with us at Turning Point, he is just a great person =)

  8. February 2, 2012 at 02:39 pm | Posted by Jeff

    Tom is the best!! Thanks for everything that you do!!!

  9. February 2, 2012 at 02:40 pm | Posted by janie

    I truly feel we at Turning Point would have all nominated Tom Erwin if we had know we could because he is a very unique man. At Turning Point I primarily work with the Latina women and Tom has always shown respect and courtesy to all the women who come through the front door seeking services, whether they understood his English or not. He has gone the extra mile to help the staff with things needing to be fixed such as putting plastic in the large window in our women's bathroom every winter to keep us warm. He has offered to assist women to get their car started in the cold days when they were attending our support group. Tom is a very gentle, kind and caring man who only enjoys helping others in need. He is truly an inspiration to us as staff and women we serve who had received the same care and respect from him.

  10. February 2, 2012 at 02:41 pm | Posted by Jamie

    HANDYMAN TOM!!! Thanks for supporting TP and helping end domestic violence in McHenry County!

  11. February 2, 2012 at 02:54 pm | Posted by Michele Lemberger

    I believe Tom should be selected as a “Senior Hero”. Anyone who knows Tom would say he is incredibly kind and giving. Each week, Tom donates his time to Turning Point in support of helping women and children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence. Tom always has a smile on his face and approaches his tasks with a pleasant demeanor. He is a very positive person and brings out the good in everyone he knows. Because Tom is so humble, I don’t think he realizes the impact he’s had on Turning Point and our staff. Not only am I grateful for the hours of volunteer service he provides, but also for the example he sets for being a good person, father and husband. I feel extremely blessed and honored to know Tom and hope he is selected as a “Senior Hero”.

  12. February 2, 2012 at 03:54 pm | Posted by MARY DENNEY

    I have worked for Turning Point for a long time and in all these years I have never seen such dedication from a volunteer.I strongly support the nomination for Tom what a wonderful person!!

  13. February 2, 2012 at 04:12 pm | Posted by Cassidy Loy

    I volunteer at Turning Point and I would just like to thank Tom for everything that he does there. He has become close with a lot of the employees and is a very nice man. I hope that he continues to volunteer at Turning Point because everyone just loves him.

  14. February 2, 2012 at 08:15 pm | Posted by Melissa McGraw

    I work in the Partner Abuse Intervention Program at Turning Point. Tom is my father, and , in my completely unbiased opinion, he is one of the most incredible human beings I know. My father has become a member of the Turning Point family. He is reliable, capable, and friendly. He rarely misses his "scheduled" volunteer days, and he ALWAYS calls if he can't come in. He enjoys giving back to the agency and his community and he has a clear compassion for the victims of domestic violence we serve at Turning Point. He is a man of integrity and character. His loyalty to my mother during her illness is like nothing I have ever seen before--my respect for him has grown tenfold by watching how he managed my mom's illness and her death. He carries that same integrity and character into his volunteer work at Turning Point. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. He is so deserving of this honor.

  15. February 2, 2012 at 08:17 pm | Posted by Susan Ling

    I've known Tom and his family for many years. He's always been a good father, and I'm sure he takes care of things around the shelter with the same spirit he's always taken care of things around his home. Best of luck to him ~ I know the shelter's already won by having him as a volunteer!

  16. February 2, 2012 at 08:37 pm | Posted by Liz Schaffer

    I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award than Tom. To give so selflessly to others even while enduring his own personal crisis is indicative of Tom's character and loving nature. I believe Tom should be recognized for all of his hard work and that he truly embodies the ideals of sacrifice and service. Go Tom!

  17. February 2, 2012 at 09:57 pm | Posted by Nancy

    Volunteers are a treasure; and Turning Point has a gem in Tom. Tom's services are extremely important to the agency and he is very much appreciated.

  18. February 2, 2012 at 09:57 pm | Posted by Mary Batson

    Tom does everything with a smile! He seems to enjoy every minute of what he does. No job is too difficult or too tedious. Tom does anything he can to make Turning Point a better place. The work he has done over the years has not only saved the agency a lot of money but it he has become a welcome presence in the process. The agency wouldn't be the same without him!

  19. February 3, 2012 at 11:24 am | Posted by Jim

    Volunteering is part of life but people like Tom go above and beyond! Turning Point wouldnt be the same without you Tom. Thanks!

  20. February 3, 2012 at 03:59 pm | Posted by Roxie Kaminski

    Tom has been invaluable as our volunteer at the shelter. As Shelter Coordinator, I depend on him in helping me with every fascet of the shelter's "fix-it" issues. He's the Go to GUY! And he can fix everything...you name it, he can fix it! And he does it with a smile. Tom is always willing to go that extra mile to make sure it's done right and just how we want it. Then the next time he's here, he checks to make sure it's still working. We're blessed to call him our friend and so glad he is part of our family. Congrats to you, Tom. You deserve this award!

  21. February 4, 2012 at 07:43 am | Posted by Sally

    Tom has provided many years of excellent service to this organization. He is dependable, meticulous, and resourceful. When he does need to purchase items or services for repairs, he "comparison shops" to get the most for the money. By donating his time and talents to general maintenance of the facility, he frees up funds to be redirected towards counseling and sheltering services that are so critical for the clients. He most definitely is deserving of this award!

  22. February 6, 2012 at 08:53 am | Posted by Ashley

    Thank you for all you do!!!! Turning Point would most likley fall apart with out your handy work!!!

  23. March 1, 2012 at 02:06 pm | Posted by Suzanne

    Things people DO gives us information about them. The attitude and demeanor with which they do them tells us much more. Surely Tom is most deserving of this award .

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76 is the average age of our volunteers with our oldest entrant at 106 years old

Senior volunteers received over 3,500 comments on their entries

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