Gundel Bowen of Annapolis is the winner of the 1996 Excellence in Volunteerism Merit Award, the Junior League of Annapolis says.
Bowen represents the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center on Riva Road in Annapolis. The award was established in 1992 to honor county women who volunteer their time and talent performing services that aid the community.
On April 17, the JLA presented Bowen with a $500 check for her nonprofit organization and a silver bowl commemorating the honor.
Bowen is a founding board member of the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center and has chaired the Schools Program Committee since its beginning. The committee is responsible for helping guidance counselors establish peer mediation programs in schools.
Carolyn Sullivan of Annapolis wrote in her nominating letter: "She has spent many hundreds (thousands) of hours volunteering at the center in all capacities possible. She helped with the recent move to the Heritage Center; she helped to set policy and procedures for the young organization and she teaches conflict resolution classes. She also is quite willing to vacuum floors, answer phones and do clerical work."
Bowen also has volunteered for the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Germantown Elementary School and was president of its PTA. She was involved with the Lighthouse Shelter when it was the Carroll House. She and her husband, Bob Bowen, also were volunteer coordinators for the Christmas International House for five years. They took in students from abroad and found host families for up to 35 students at a time. She has been a certified Parent Effectiveness Training instructor for 16 years.
Other nominees honored with certificates of appreciation include Jennifer L. Campbell for the Midshipman Action Group; Cheryl Carnwath of Arnold for Camp Blaze; Anne Lamb of Glen Burnie for People Against Child Abuse; Vera Pryor of Annapolis for the American Red Cross; Theresa Reynolds of Arnold for the Hotline and Sexual Assault Crisis Center Programs of Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland; and Deborah Wood of Annapolis for the Chesapeake Children's Museum.
A Community Assistance Donation for the support of an area nonprofit group whose work falls within JLA's focus of family support also was awarded at the meeting. This year's donation was presented to Ujima Planning Action Committee, a Clay Street community organization that aims to build self-esteem among its residents.
The grant will provide for the creation of a second community garden in the area and for the continuation of the barrel-building business initiated by the Clay Street Eco-Plus Pioneers.
Pub Date: 5/05/96
