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Circle of Caring to Work with New Faith in Action Executive Director

Circleville, OH -- August 28, 2007 Faith in Action Onhio, an interfaith volunteer caregiver initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has hired Doris Vollmar as its executive director. Circle of Caring is one of Ohio's Faith in Action programs that will work with Vollmar to bring together volunteers from many faiths to care for their neighbors who have long-term health needs.

"We are excited to have Doris on board as the Ohio director," said Martha Buller, Circle of Caring Coordinator. "We look forward to meeting with her in the next several weeks to discuss local strategies to continue to recruit volunteers and assist our neighbors in need."

Circle of Caring was founded in 1997 and initially funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Its mission is to assist the frail and elderly as well as people living with disabilities, and their families, on a casual basis. Circle of Caring provides transportation, handyman chores, yard work, shopping, light housekeeping, friendly visiting in person and by phone, respite care, and ramp building. Donations to Circle of Caring are administered through the Berger Health Foundation, with a specific purpose fund established to assure all gifts are used to operate this community volunteer program. Additional support is received from United Way of Pickaway County, local churches and the community.

Vollmar's goals are to enhance local programs, increase awareness of Faith in Action programs and activities, and help initiate new programs in communities throughout the state. While visiting the local programs in Ohio this summer she will learn from these programs and adapt their winning strategies to a state coordination effort.

Her career includes being a business teacher for the Cleveland Public Schools, working as a methods and procedures analyst at Ernst & Young, and serving in sales, IT, human resources and treasury management departments at LESCO, Inc. She has a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University with a specialization in Adult Learning and Development, and recently completed the coursework for a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Akron.

"I have worked with diverse populations throughout my career and am excited about taking on the challenges of this new position," said Vollmar. "My key focus points will be:

Bring an awareness of Faith in Action to more of the state's residents,
Expand the volunteer base (especially youth volunteers),
Find additional ways to effectively identify persons with long-term health issues who could use a helping hand,
Assist interested communities in launching Faith in Action programs in their neighborhoods, and
Identify and implement new services to help keep care recipients as independent as possible for as long as possible."

"We need to get the word out about Faith in Action programs available in many Ohio communities. Caring for the frail, isolated, elderly, or handicapped among us is a worthy effort for any community," said Vollmar. "Helping to keep someone in the comfortable, familiar surroundings of their own home may often depend on volunteers willing to deposit a couple of hours a week into the bank of human kindness."

"For more general information on Faith in Action, please check out the national website at www.faithinaction.org. For specific details on the local Faith in Action organization in your area, please contact Martha Buller, Circle of Caring, at (740) 474-7844. Vollmar said, "Volunteers are welcome. Each and every local organization can speak to the enriching and rewarding experiences of their volunteers. A neighbor's independence may depend on you!"