Lisa V. Ford's Volunteer Recognition Award Winners Announced at The Children's Center

DETROIT, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Volunteers are the heart and soul of The Children's Center.  We are pleased to join with Lisa to announce our 2013 Lisa V. Ford Volunteer Heart & Soul Award winners." said Debora Matthews, President & CEO of The Children's Center - Detroit, Michigan.

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June 20^th, 2013 marks the fifth annual Lisa V. Ford Volunteer Heart & Soul Appreciation, presented by Ford Motor Company.  Award nominations are submitted annually to recognize volunteers who demonstrate Lisa's spirit of generosity and altruism for the children and families served by The Children's Center.

Awards are given in three categories: Community Service, Corporate Friend and the coveted Lisa V. Ford Heart & Soul award. This year, a fourth award category has been added to recognize the Staff Volunteer of the Year.  All award nominees must have given a minimum of 20 service hours in the past year to be eligible to receive the award.

2013 award winners are:

Lisa V. Ford Heart & Soul Volunteer of the Year, Jane McFeely.  Jane is a long-time volunteer associated with Tau Beta Association of Grosse Pointe.  Jane's most recent activities include back-to-school backpack assembly, student mentoring in the Center for Discovery, and lending her professional artist skills to the murals throughout the family enrichment areas of The Children's Center mid-town Detroit campus.

The Corporate Friend Award winner is the Greater Detroit office of Ernst & Young. Under the leadership of Partner William T. O'Connor and the E&Y Inclusiveness Committee, more than 100 children received donated holiday gifts and gift cards.  "Community engagement is one of E&Y's four pillars of social responsibility. Our associates were excited to lend a hand, and make a difference for these vulnerable children and families." said O'Connor.

The Community Service Award winner is the Wayne State University Men's Baseball Team.  Players worked with children in group-play and art therapy sessions in conjunction with staff therapists. "It was great to have these positive male role models working with our children and families.  Our kids loved it!" said Cindy Read, therapist.

The Staff Volunteer of the Year Award winner is Dennis Coleman.  Dennis has worked at The Children's Center for nearly six years in a variety of capacities ranging from foster care to therapist for children and families dealing with developmental and emotional disabilities.  He was nominated for going above and beyond his position accountabilities, and volunteering extensively at fundraising events, advocacy days and family fun days.

About The Children's Center
The Children's Center is one of the largest, most diverse and comprehensive frontline child-serving agencies in Michigan, addressing the needs and problems of some of the most troubled children in the United States.  For more information, please visit The Children's Center web site at www.thechildrenscenter.com

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE The Children's Center of Wayne County