Published: May 16, 2008 11:03 pm            

Volunteers honored for 'standing in the gap'

The necessity of “standing in the gap” for children in need was stressed to those attending the Troubled Children’s Council’s annual banquet on Friday at the trade center.

Bruce Kenemer with the Department of Juvenile Justice, who received the Louise Eddings Service Award, recalled the words of Gen. Robert E. Lee about those who will “stand in the gap and make the difference.”

Kenemer, a Michigan native, joked that Lee was “on the wrong side, but he stood in the gap. And through the course of history that man is loved in a way in which none of the guys in blue coats was loved. And so that’s my point to you. ... I don’t care how much money you can get from carpet mills or selling cars or doing other things. There is nothing more important, nothing more valuable, than what you do.”

“You can make the difference, and you are making the difference,” said Kenemer, who is retiring. “Let me encourage you, because I want it to be more about you than it is me. I want you to continue to stand in the gap and make a difference.”

Also honored was Pat Flammini, who received the Volunteer Service Award. In presenting the award to Flammini, Juvenile Court Judge Connie Blaylock outlined a list of organizations and causes Flammini has worked and/or volunteered with other the years, including the Troubled Children’s Council, Georgia Sheriff’s Cherokee Estate, Dalton Whitfield Boys Group Home, Juvenile Court, the Regional Youth Detention Center, the Dalton Police Department, the American Red Cross and “basset hound relief.”

Flammini, who was away on a fishing trip, said she was told she should attend Friday’s banquet. She acknowledged she has a “passion” for kids, dating back to her days as a Campfire Girl.

But she quickly deflected attention from herself, telling those in the audience, “This award is for you, too, because you’re all volunteers.”

“I do love what I do and this is fun,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

Both Kenemer and Flammini received standing ovations when their names were announced.

Chris West, Kenemer’s boss who presented the Eddings award to Kenemer, likened the award to being inducted into the Troubled Children’s Council “Hall of Fame” because it recognizes “lifetime contributions to the community.”

Kenemer acknowledged previous recipients such as Lillian Miller and Mary Smith and said, “This is the one for me. ... Put me with them, I’ll take that.”

But like Flammini, he deflected attention from himself and toward the members of the audience who represented the various aspects of the community who intervene when children are abused or damaged or need a home or need love.

“There are certain things I hold sacred,” Kenemer said. “My wife, my kids, my church. And you.”

Truett Cathy, the founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A, was scheduled to be the event’s keynote speaker but could not attend because of illness. Bob Skelton with Winshape Homes, which Cathy founded in 1987 to provide a stable family environment for children removed from their homes, did the honors instead.

Using the story of Shamgar from the Book of Judges in the Bible as a backdrop, Skelton implored those in attendance to “use what you have to get the job done” instead of bemoaning what they might not have, and to “discover a need” in the community where they can use their “passion.”

“You don’t have to wait,” he said. “You are all uniquely equipped to accomplish great things in life.”

Outgoing interim president Ashley Parham received a bouquet of roses for “holding the council together” during what incoming president David Moeller called a “crazy year.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.