BETTENDORF, Iowa - It was not easy for the citizen committee to select just 5 Quad City
Caring Award winners this year - a good problem to have.
"We wish we could give out 41 Caring Awards this year because each nominee was so great,"
said a reviewer.
In the end, five outstanding volunteers were selected who have demonstrated selflessness and
a long-term commitment to the betterment of our community, and whose efforts have made a
significant impact.
The 2012 Caring Award recipients are:
· Mark Bawden, nominated by the Putnam Museum / Giant Screen Theater
· Julia Field, nominated by Hand In Hand
· Greg Lundgren, nominated by the Davenport Public Library
· Tommy Miller, nominated by HELP Legal Assistance
· Travis "Rusty" Unterzuber, nominated by Quad City Arts
"The Caring Awards allow us to say a big thank you to dedicated volunteers who make a real
difference in our community," said Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community
Foundation of the Great River Bend.
Mark Bawden has helped to ensure the Putnam Museum will be available to citizens of the
Quad Cities for years to come. After 3 years serving as the Board of Trustees Chair, Mark
assumed the role of Chair for the Theater Task Force, and led the charge to raise $12 million to
construct the new Giant Screen Theater. In addition, Mark served as interim Museum Director,
Team Leader of the newest Sustainable Funding initiative, and is the current chairman of the
Development Committee. He and his wife Rita have invested personal and financial support in
the Putnam Museum to ensure the future of this local treasure is bright.
Julia Field is the recipient of the Youth Award, presented each year to an outstanding volunteer
under the age of 21. Hand In Hand CEO Mark Smith, describes Julia Field as "the cheerleader
which every organization needs." Julia began volunteering at the nonprofit organization for
children with special needs in 2005, when she was in the second grade. She demonstrates a
natural ability to be compassionate and caring with the participants of Hand In Hand. This year,
Julia will take on the role of Student Director for the bowling program. This includes coordinating
weekly bowling schedules, recruiting volunteers, and planning the end of year bowling banquet.
In addition, Julia will continue her volunteer work during the summer camp program. Julia sees
and believes in the power of being the difference for others. The world is in good hands with
young leaders like Julia.
Greg Lundgren, a long-time supporter of the Davenport Public Library, has been a member of
the Davenport Public Library Board of Trustees since 1996. He served as President from 2000-
2006. During his time on the Board, Greg assisted in hiring a new Library Director and was a
primary advocate for the Library to the City Administration and City Councils for the Fairmount
and Eastern Avenue Branch Libraries. In addition, Greg served as the Chair of the Library's
Building and Grounds Committee from 2004-2012. Greg's passion and devotion to the
Davenport Public Library continues - he returned as President in July of this year.
Attorney Tommy Miller of Davenport has worked at law offices of HELP Legal Assistance since
the fall of 1979. She first joined as a volunteer, then as a staff attorney for more than twenty
years. After her retirement in 2004, Tommy again returned to HELP Legal Assistance as a
volunteer. Her work has spanned the full range of civil legal cases, from housing and consumer
work to complex education and family law matters. On a daily basis, she has helped thousands
of low-income and senior clients find the light of equal justice.
Travis "Rusty" Unterzuber joined Quad City Arts Board of Directors in 2007 and chose to
volunteer for the Performing Arts Committee, becoming chair of that committee in August 2009.
He and his wife, Doris, also volunteer at the Festival of Trees, Quad City Arts' major fundraiser.
For years the couple has hosted an annual VAnguard Quad City Arts subscription series party
and invited a Visiting Artist to perform. The Visiting Artist Series brings professional performing
artists to our region for free or low-cost performances. In November 2011, Rusty took on the role
of interim Performing Arts Director. In addition, he oversaw the selection of Visiting Artists for
the 2013-2014 season. Quad City Arts has found a gem in the intellect, passion, and dedication
of Rusty Unterzuber.
The 2012 Quad City Caring Award winners will be recognized at the Community Foundation's
Annual Celebration on September 25, 2012. The event will be held at the Waterfront Convention
Center in Bettendorf.
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Caring Award winners this year - a good problem to have.
"We wish we could give out 41 Caring Awards this year because each nominee was so great,"
said a reviewer.
In the end, five outstanding volunteers were selected who have demonstrated selflessness and
a long-term commitment to the betterment of our community, and whose efforts have made a
significant impact.
The 2012 Caring Award recipients are:
· Mark Bawden, nominated by the Putnam Museum / Giant Screen Theater
· Julia Field, nominated by Hand In Hand
· Greg Lundgren, nominated by the Davenport Public Library
· Tommy Miller, nominated by HELP Legal Assistance
· Travis "Rusty" Unterzuber, nominated by Quad City Arts
"The Caring Awards allow us to say a big thank you to dedicated volunteers who make a real
difference in our community," said Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community
Foundation of the Great River Bend.
Mark Bawden has helped to ensure the Putnam Museum will be available to citizens of the
Quad Cities for years to come. After 3 years serving as the Board of Trustees Chair, Mark
assumed the role of Chair for the Theater Task Force, and led the charge to raise $12 million to
construct the new Giant Screen Theater. In addition, Mark served as interim Museum Director,
Team Leader of the newest Sustainable Funding initiative, and is the current chairman of the
Development Committee. He and his wife Rita have invested personal and financial support in
the Putnam Museum to ensure the future of this local treasure is bright.
Julia Field is the recipient of the Youth Award, presented each year to an outstanding volunteer
under the age of 21. Hand In Hand CEO Mark Smith, describes Julia Field as "the cheerleader
which every organization needs." Julia began volunteering at the nonprofit organization for
children with special needs in 2005, when she was in the second grade. She demonstrates a
natural ability to be compassionate and caring with the participants of Hand In Hand. This year,
Julia will take on the role of Student Director for the bowling program. This includes coordinating
weekly bowling schedules, recruiting volunteers, and planning the end of year bowling banquet.
In addition, Julia will continue her volunteer work during the summer camp program. Julia sees
and believes in the power of being the difference for others. The world is in good hands with
young leaders like Julia.
Greg Lundgren, a long-time supporter of the Davenport Public Library, has been a member of
the Davenport Public Library Board of Trustees since 1996. He served as President from 2000-
2006. During his time on the Board, Greg assisted in hiring a new Library Director and was a
primary advocate for the Library to the City Administration and City Councils for the Fairmount
and Eastern Avenue Branch Libraries. In addition, Greg served as the Chair of the Library's
Building and Grounds Committee from 2004-2012. Greg's passion and devotion to the
Davenport Public Library continues - he returned as President in July of this year.
Attorney Tommy Miller of Davenport has worked at law offices of HELP Legal Assistance since
the fall of 1979. She first joined as a volunteer, then as a staff attorney for more than twenty
years. After her retirement in 2004, Tommy again returned to HELP Legal Assistance as a
volunteer. Her work has spanned the full range of civil legal cases, from housing and consumer
work to complex education and family law matters. On a daily basis, she has helped thousands
of low-income and senior clients find the light of equal justice.
Travis "Rusty" Unterzuber joined Quad City Arts Board of Directors in 2007 and chose to
volunteer for the Performing Arts Committee, becoming chair of that committee in August 2009.
He and his wife, Doris, also volunteer at the Festival of Trees, Quad City Arts' major fundraiser.
For years the couple has hosted an annual VAnguard Quad City Arts subscription series party
and invited a Visiting Artist to perform. The Visiting Artist Series brings professional performing
artists to our region for free or low-cost performances. In November 2011, Rusty took on the role
of interim Performing Arts Director. In addition, he oversaw the selection of Visiting Artists for
the 2013-2014 season. Quad City Arts has found a gem in the intellect, passion, and dedication
of Rusty Unterzuber.
The 2012 Quad City Caring Award winners will be recognized at the Community Foundation's
Annual Celebration on September 25, 2012. The event will be held at the Waterfront Convention
Center in Bettendorf.
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