WBOI is proud to present Volunteers Making an Impact, a look at some of the people making an impact at area non-profits and other organizations within Northeast Indiana.
Jan Harkner - Abbs
Noble County resident and retired teacher Jan Harkner-Abbs has been a volunteer first responder for more than 25 years, fighting fires and working as a rescue diver and EMT. Now a lieutenant with the Rome City Volunteer Fire Department, she also established the area's multi-county K-9 Search and Rescue team.
Mary Huntley
For 28 years, retired Parkview Health Lab employee Mary Huntley has been volunteering with the Allen County Public Library's Audio Reading Service. She reads the newspaper on the radio to help those who are sight-impaired. She also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has therapy dogs to comfort those in need.
Mike Voiles
They call him the customer service king. Retiree Mike Voiles volunteers at the Fort Wayne Community Center, and has dedicated more than 1,000 hours. He considers himself a master gardener. He says it is all about helping others.
Patty Johnson
Patty Johnson provides hospice care to patients in their final stages of life, volunteering at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne. A retired telecommunications manager, Johnson trained volunteers to help abused and neglected children, and spearheaded programs to reduce teen drug and alcohol use.
Clifton Wallace
After surviving a crippling car crash, Clifton Wallace now volunteers with The League in Fort Wayne to secure better housing for those with disabilities. As a rehabilitating quadriplegic, he uses his life to inspire others to help eath other and not give up, regardless of their barriers.
Linda Mullenhour
Linda Mullenhour is the Alley Kat Dance Instructor at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center. The Alley Kats is a group of active senior women who perform across the area. She also teaches water aerobics to help senior citizens lead active lives.
Dee McKinley
Always in tune with her community, long-time radio personality Dee McKinley has been the volunteer host of WBOI's Gospel Flight for almost five decades. An educator and case worker for Fort Wayne Community Schools, this civil rights champion also finds time to volunteer to nurture area youth.
Chant Thompson
Huntington University educator Chant Thompson is a servant leader, and champion of faith-based education. He has spent his life helping students learn to help others, both at home and abroad. He has been serving as a board member of Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana since 1984.
Tom Noll
Tom Noll, a retired electrical engineer, started volunteering at the Embassy Theatre in 2010. As a child, he would visit when the Embassy was known as the Emboyd. This active tour guide and study trip facilitator is happy to help patrons, and very proud to wear the Embassy's famous burgundy jacket.
