The Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association, along with its parent organization, the Indiana Retired Teachers Association (IRTA), has long recognized the value of voluntary service contributed by its members. Each of the 10 districts’ volunteer hours are sent to state legislators to let them know that retired teachers continue to give back to their communities. The district Area 5 comprises Marion, Tipton, Hamilton, and Johnson counties.
For the last 10 years, Indiana retired teachers have given over one million volunteer hours each year. In the last year, Hamilton County gave 1,093 hours for youth projects and 22,761 other projects, for a total of 23,764 volunteer hours from retired teachers.
Each year, the Hamilton County organization nominates a Volunteer of the Year and three Honorable Mention awards. These individuals have volunteered in a multitude of ways and accumulated extensive hours of services unselfishly to their communities.
Each year the IRTA Community Service Committee selects one person from each district to receive the AMBA Clock for their outstanding service activities. The clock represents the time spent on volunteer hours. The recipients have distinguished themselves as exemplary volunteers who have gone above and beyond to serve their communities and the great state of Indiana.
Just announced, the winner of Hamilton County Volunteer of the Year for 2020 is Marilyn Bailey, Noblesville. The three Honorable Mentions were Martha Rockey, Sheridan; Jane Simmons, Anderson; and Deb Carrell, Noblesville.
Hamilton County’s Volunteer of the Year Michael Jenkins, Cicero, was selected from the district (four counties) to win the AMBA Clock award for 2019, which was announced in 2020. This is a great honor and well deserved. Jenkins was chosen out of all the four counties’ volunteers.
Jenkins serves as board member of the Cicero Christian Church, as a 14-year board member and secretary of the Hamilton County Public Library, and board member, president and CEO in working with HOPE Family Care Center. At Cicero Christian Church, he serves as an elder emeritus, as member of the church’s mission team, Board Secretary of Cicero Christian Schools and as a weekly micro-church leader. He also prepares and helps publish the weekly prayer and praise list.
Continuing his work in education, Jenkins teaches adult Bible study classes at his church, serves as a member of the weekly “mentoring at lunch” program at Hamilton Heights Elementary School, and also serves on that district’s “vision program.” In 2019, he had 121 youth hours and 981 others, for a total of 1,102 volunteer hours. In 2020, he logged 1,030 hours.
Jenkins joins other Hamilton County Clock award winners: Ina Van Duyn, Carmel; Phyllis Linenberger, Noblesville; Jan DeJarnatt, Noblesville; and Donna Skeens, Carmel.