2004 Child Advocacy Awards
Recipients of United Voices for Children’s 2004 child advocacy awards are, from left, Susan Griffis from Poplar Grove UMC, and from United Church of Sandwich, Renee Reimer and Jenny Weber, former pastor at Sandwich.
Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Award
The Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Award is presented to United Church of Sandwich Day Care and Preschool.
Renee Reimer and Jenny Weber, former pastor of United Church of Sandwich, accepted the Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt award presented for volunteer advocacy on behalf of children. United Church of Sandwich’s day care was established in 1996 and the preschool in 1998. They were founded to meet the needs of a growing number of teenage mothers in the area.
The programs offer help financially, physically, spiritually and offer Christian-based learning. The preschool has an enrollment of 36 with a waiting list.
Katherine B. Greene Award
The Katherine B. Greene Award is presented to Susan Griffis.
Susan Griffis, member of Poplar Grove UMC, and United Church of Sandwich Day Care and Preschool, received the 2004 Katherine Greene award for special advocacy for children in a church. She was honored for her excellence in being a child advocate. She has taught Sunday School for more than 15 years and also is superintendent of Poplar Grove UMC’s Sunday School.
Besides her Sunday School work, Griffis teaches kindergarten. Her classroom is decorated with bright colored posters, an art gallery for students’ special works and a birthday well listing each child’s special day.