Lisa Mertz Named Volunteer of the Year for Unit I

From Sunbury, PA

According to Lisa Mertz, winner of the 2007 RIF Volunteer of the Year award for Unit I, the secret to running a successful RIF program lies in being able to reach out and involve the entire community. "I use every source I have," Lisa stated in a recent telephone interview. "The worst that can happen is that the person will say no, but when they say 'yes,' doors of opportunity are opened for my kids."

For more than 15 years, Mertz's themed RIF distributions at Chief Shikellamy Elementary School have involved school staff, administrators, high school students and teachers, parents, local business owners, and anyone else who has something to contribute to "her kids."

Most recently, Mertz reached out to the community for volunteers and support. While she knew nothing about racing, another teacher did. As a result, four local race car drivers and their competition cars participated in the school’s latest, and highly successful, distribution.

While Mertz credits the support of her network of volunteers for the range of motivational activities the children enjoy at distributions, retired Reading Specialist and former co-worker, Bill Unger, credits Mertz alone for the program's success.  "She has more motivational ideas than anyone I've ever known." Unger stated. Themes for Mertz's RIF events have included Career Day, Cultural Day, Sports Day, and Arts Day. "Lisa always has the student in her heart," Unger continued. "For her, they always come first."

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