TEMPLE: Shining light on special volunteers

By John Temple, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Friday, March 28, 2008

Linda McConnell / Special To The Rocky

Rocky editor and publisher John Temple poses with Jefferson Awards for Public Service winners, from left, Lt. Col. Steve Beck, Jessica Pearson and Harry Vogler.

One of the pleasures of my job is that every year about this time I get to meet three extraordinary individuals - the Colorado winners of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

I wish you could have been in our conference room on a recent afternoon when we recognized this year's honorees in a simple and, for me, moving ceremony.

As I spoke of their accomplishments, I had to fight back tears. It happens every year. There's just something about these people, people who ask for nothing in return for their efforts to help others. They are the strength of this nation.

This year's recipients are Harry W. Vogler, Jessica Pearson and Lt. Col. Steve Beck. They were selected from a slew of nominees by an independent panel of judges (I emphasize independent because, in an unusual twist this year, two of the three are known by me personally.) One will be picked to represent the state at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. All would be deserving of that honor.

Today I'll share a hint of their stories with you. Later this spring, Gary Massaro will bring them to life in a series of special columns. Part of the reason we at the Rocky Mountain News are so committed to sponsoring these annual awards, along with the monthly Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Awards, is that we believe in the importance of volunteerism. But we do so also because we believe that it's critical as journalists to shine a light on the good in this world, to inspire as well as to inform.

Harry Vogler has been giving back to Denver for more than 40 years.

One of the letters nominating him for the award, from Tom Scharf, president of the Kiwanis Club of Denver, said this:

"Public recognition for his deeds is nothing that Harry Vogler would ever seek or expect. But I, for one, would like to shout it from the mountain top every day that I am fortunate enough to know Harry Vogler. If you've seen him in action, there is no doubt in my mind, that you would too."

Vogler has been most active in promoting the Griffith Centers for Children, which provides treatment and education for abused, neglected and mentally ill children and their families. Vogler is a great fund-raiser.

He said the secret of his success is feeling in his heart that the cause he supports is worthwhile.

"When you feel good about something you're doing, it's not very hard to sell it."

It's obvious when you meet him that Vogler is a master at spreading good feelings.

Jessica Pearson is the volunteer behind the A+ Angels Mentor Program at Denver's East High School. I know personally the power of her work, because Judith, my wife, has been a mentor in Pearson's program for a few years.

Pearson recruits, trains and supports mentors who share her commitment to helping students who otherwise might struggle in high school.

"Education is the one-word solution to the world's problems," she told us. But in Denver there's an achievement gap between different groups, and Pearson's mission has been to close that divide.

Her program tries to help students see a future for themselves, see a bigger world where there might be a place for them.

It's working.

"This year, 22 out of 25 of our mentees are on track to graduate - an amazing accomplishment when you have seen as I have the problems these students have had to overcome," a nominating letter from Brenden Doyle, an East counselor, said.

Lt. Col. Steve Beck, you might remember, was at the heart of "Final Salute," the Pulitzer Prize-winning special report in 2005 by Jim Sheeler and Todd Heisler. That story chronicled his dedication as a Marine officer to the families of the fallen.

The Jefferson Award recognizes the lengths he goes to in his own time to help them. Beck established a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization known as "The Remembering the Brave Foundation." We have told stories of its moving ceremonies in our pages.

"For the past three years, Steve has begged, borrowed and pleaded with local community members for donations to give the family members of the fallen a ceremony they deserved - a small token of appreciation to recognize all of the sacrifices they have made. And he himself has given up precious time with his own family to help us through some of the darkest days of our lives," said a nominating letter signed by families he has helped.

Beck accepted his Jefferson medal surrounded by many of the people he has touched, people he himself has given the medals due their sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

Asked why he does it, Beck said simply: "We can't forget those who've paid the highest price."

The ceremony ended with the words of Minoru Yasui:

"It's because of people like you that we are what we are."

So true. Thankfully, so true.

John Temple can be reached at editor@RockyMountainNews.com or by mail at 101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202.