Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Community service awards presented
The service awards were presented in tribute of service by Martin Luther King Jr.
In a tribute to the memory of Martin Luther King Jr., the Coatesville Area School District and the Coatesville Youth Initiative presented three awards for service to others.
The three awards were presented to four people who have gone above and beyond in helping others in the community. For the past several weeks, the school district received nominations online, and then a group of community members helped sort through the nominations and determine the recipients.
Nick Deminski, a representative from state Rep. Harry Lewis Jr.’s office presented each honoree with a certificate on behalf of Lewis, R-74, of Caln, and a Senate Award from state Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman’s office, D-19, of West Whiteland, and an honorary plaque from the school district.
This year’s honorees were: Karol Collins, Joy and David Turner Sr., and Jared Elters.
Karol Collins is the chairwoman of the Strawberry Festival Committee and has been involved in the event for more than 10 years. Additionally, she is on the Coatesville Christmas Parade Committee, chairwoman of Community Impact Team with the United Way of Chester County and she volunteers her time at Pope John Paul II Elementary School. She was involved with the Coatesville Make a Difference Day, and she helps with various events for the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum. She also assists with events for Brandywine Health Foundation.
David and Joy Turner in 2010 founded David’s Drive 831, an
organization that helps homeless veterans, veterans at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, and veterans in need. They have helped hundreds of veterans find places to live and equipped them with furniture and clothing, or whatever is needed to help get them back on their feet. David and Joy founded David’s Drive after the sudden death of their son David Jr., who worked at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Caln. David had a heart for the people he served there, and wished that he could always provide them with what they needed. After his death, David and Joy decided to honor his memory by helping the people who were so special to him. They started with a single drive for socks and underwear for veterans, and they said the response was so great that they decided to see what other needs they could meet. The community has rallied around them to support their efforts to help veterans.
Jared Elters is a student representative to the Coatesville school board. He participates in the Coatesville Area Youth Philanthropy Program, Bridges Academy, Coatesville Youth Initiative and Upward Bound. He also maintains good grades and is active in his church, attending regular Bible study sessions throughout the week. He has volunteered more than 400 hours during the past two years.