Arliss and Barbara Plaugher, of Bluffton, are one of eight recipients of the 2010 Jefferson Award.
The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities.
"We certainly appreciate the recognition that the Jefferson Award presents, in that it may bring added attention to the sponsoring organization, Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, and to the service that VOSH provides to the underserved peoples around the world," said Barbara Plaugher.
The Plaughers have spent much of the past sixteen years, since 1994, volunteering their time and talents to people in need all over the world.
Arliss and Barbara are especially involved with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. VOSH is comprised of those who work to provide eye care for people in the underdeveloped countries of the world. Glasses are collected from a variety of sources. The major sources are Lions Clubs and churches; Arliss and Barbara are Bluffton Lions Club members.
Barbara plans mission trips for VOSH-Ohio and has four missions in progress right now. Each mission takes about a year to plan and involves many different people.
"There are almost always waiting lists to go on the trips," said Barbara. "We arrange for the optometrists to go first and then fill in with others who are interested in going along."
To begin the planning process, Barbara will have to make contact with a nonprofit organization. When a need for eye care has been established, she begins the long process of preparing documentation for the trip. While time consuming, Barbara says the process is very worthwhile.
"We volunteer for many reasons, the joy of giving to others, making friends with those who are receiving the benefits, the feeling of providing a needed service to those unable to provide for themselves, and the associations with others who are volunteering," said Barbara.
Locally, a 10-person judging committee chose eight winners from the 26 nominations received this year. A banquet will be held March 23 in honor of the winners. Each winner will receive a bronze medal and $350 for the charity of their choice.
The Lima News, WLIO and the United Way of Greater Lima sponsor the Jefferson Award.
Wednesday, March 10, Mayor Fred Rodabaugh announced a proclamation naming March 8-14 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in Bluffton. March is MS Awareness Month in Ohio.
