Namedropper
WELCOAZ recognizes Desiree Gunderman
The Wellness Council of Arizona has recognized Desiree Gunderman as a Champion of Worksite Wellness. Gunderman is an administrative assistant to Linda Elliott-Nelson, vice president of learning services at Arizona Western College.
She previously worked as a human resources specialist at Arizona Western College and in AWC’s Nursing Department or many years.
“Desiree is always so professional and greets everyone with a smile on her face. We are so fortunate that Desiree is here to help our students, faculty, staff and community,” ElliottNelson said.
The WELCOAZ strives to be the recognized leader and resource for worksite health promotion in Arizona. WELCOAZ collaborates with healthcare providers, community leaders, businesses and institutions to improve the health of employees and their families.
Arizona Realtors Community Outreach Award goes to Barbara Hengl
The Arizona Realtors Community Outreach Award has been awarded to Barbara Hengl for community involvement. Hengl manages BHengl Design and is a Realtor with eXp Realty. This award is presented to one Realtor in Arizona a year in recognition of the extraordinary impact in his or her community through volunteer service. It’s designed to seek out “the brightest and best who give unselfishly to improve the world around them through community service,” according to Arizona Realtors.
Hengl’s contributions include sponsoring the “Greetings from Sunny Yuma AZ” mural on Main Street and collecting $1,300 for the Stuff the Bus Campaign and $2,000 in part with NexGen.
Hengl and her husband donated the use of 2 acres for Love Tree Farm to grow food for the Crossroads Mission. They ran a water drive in June and donated more than 24,000 bottles of water divided between the Yuma Community Food Bank and the Crossroads mission.
As a family, they volunteer at events held by Rotary, NexGen and other organizations. “A fun one was helping out the Littlewood Fine Arts and Community Co-Op and Paint by Number at the Roxaboxen Park. I believe it’s important to show our children how to be leaders in the community. We are very proud of our daughter taking a leadership course to get more involved with her peers in elementary,” Hengl said.
Currently Hengl is working through Desert View Academy as the PTL vice president and in conjunction with her Yuma Rotary Club to build the students a garden and provide and install misters for the school drop-off and pick-up lane.
“Our DVA teachers and students have to stand out in the heat, and the misters will be a huge asset to the hard-working teachers and volunteer parents,” Hengl explained.
PTL is also raising funds to enlarge its basketball courts through several fundraising events, she added.
As a Realtor, Hengl is a “proud sponsor” of the Homes for Heroes Program. This program allows her to donate 25% of her commissions back to local heroes. A few days after closing, buyers or sellers receive a check averaging around $1,650 per transaction. “I am honored to have this avenue to give back in my professional world,” Hengl said.
Through Rotary she has helped raise thousands of dollars through live and silent auctions. As chair and co-chair of that event the last two years, the club donated $40,000 to one student in a four-year scholarship and the following year $25,000 in $5,000 scholarships.
Hengl is currently on the Yuma Rotary and NexGen boards, a member of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and BetterYuma. org, assigned to the City Charter Review Board and vice president of the Desert View Academy PTL. She volunteers as a catechism teacher at St. Francis Church.
“I have always had a passion for philanthropy. I believe it is everyone’s job, no matter how small, to do, give, support or contribute. I believe we should all create within ourselves an attitude of gratitude and giving. Always be grateful for what you do have no matter what it is and try to give, if nothing more than a helping hand or a smile,” Hengl said.