This week marks National Volunteer Week, and in celebration, Drum Corps International recognizes its 2007 Volunteers of the Year.
Each year since 1988, the Friends of DCI have saluted drum corps volunteers by presenting the DCI Volunteer of the Year awards. Nominated by corps directors, recipients are chosen by a panel of Friends of DCI members. At the 2007 World Championships this August in Pasadena, Calif., this new class of volunteers will be recognized:
Romelia Evans
Nominated by Dan Vannatta on behalf of the Santa Clara Vanguard Romelia "Romie" Evans has been a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Booster Club since 1977 when her son was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Her two daughters also performed with the corps.
She has volunteered countless hours as co-chairmen and chairman to several tour events and has served in leadership positions as vice president, president and member-at-large on the Santa Clara Vanguard Board of Directors. Romie has made generous food donations to the corps and is always willing to help when she hears of a corps member who is in need of financial assistance.
Always looking for additional ways to help, Romie has been known for always asking what else she can do and never asking for anything in return.
Ray & Mary McCrary
Nominated by David Whitesides on behalf of the Carolina Crown Ray and Mary McCrary have been volunteers with Carolina Crown since 1991 when their daughter marched as a member of the corps.
Ray has been a member of the Carolina Crown Board of Directors since 1997 and a member of the corps' executive committee from 2002 until this last year. Ray does a multitude of tasks from helping in the food truck, putting in and maintaining all of the vehicles' communications equipment for tour, and researching and writing grant proposals, among other jobs. Even after successfully battling cancer, Ray remains a tireless and dedicated supporter of Carolina Crown.
Mary works on the corps' food truck, fits and alters all the member uniforms each June, washes and repairs uniforms on tour, sews flags, does hospital and doctor runs, and many other behind-the-scenes jobs. Mary travels every summer with Ray in a camper van while volunteering with Carolina Crown.
Marty & Lois Fricke
Nominated by Brian Prato on behalf of the Jersey Surf Marty and Lois Fricke have served the Jersey Surf for more than 15 years and continue to be a part of the corps family long after both of their children have aged out of its ranks.
Marty is the long-time corps business manager, also helping the corps as the chairman of the transportation committee and as a truck driver. Lois continues to serve the organization as finance manager and handles bookkeeping responsibilities. She also has served as the head of the food service operation, souvenir manager and a uniform team member.
From taking tickets at a tour event to opening their home and serving legendary meals to out-of-town corps members, volunteers and staff, among many other things, Marty and Lois typify the volunteer spirit which makes the drum corps activity such a unique "family" environment.
Also receiving nominations for the 2007 Volunteer of the Year were: Debbie Krebs, Rebecca Trevino, Ed Coyoli, Marie Limpel, Judy Luongo, Rick Reedy and Bill Seeley.
Nominated by Dan Vannatta on behalf of the Santa Clara Vanguard Romelia "Romie" Evans has been a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard Booster Club since 1977 when her son was a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Her two daughters also performed with the corps.
 Romie Evans |
Nominated by David Whitesides on behalf of the Carolina Crown Ray and Mary McCrary have been volunteers with Carolina Crown since 1991 when their daughter marched as a member of the corps.
 Ray & Mary McCrary |
Nominated by Brian Prato on behalf of the Jersey Surf Marty and Lois Fricke have served the Jersey Surf for more than 15 years and continue to be a part of the corps family long after both of their children have aged out of its ranks.
 Marty & Lois Fricke |