Mitchell named PRIDE Volunteer of the Month

Wendal Mitchell of Corbin has earned the PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award for January 2010. Mitchell, a retired educator, was honored for donating his time and expertise to assist with the Corbin Middle School green house.

“Mr. Mitchell has dedicated numerous hours to run our greenhouse,” said Melissa Evans, the CMS science teacher who nominated Mitchell for the PRIDE award. “In the process, he has taught hundreds of children horticulture and shared his love of gardening. He is an asset to our school and community.”

Mitchell volunteered at CMS from January to May for several years. For four hours each school day, he worked with the seventh-grade classes and PRIDE Club in the green house. Along with science lessons, students gained hands-on experience with transplanting and caring for plants. Mitchell also worked on weekends tending to the plants.

“CMS had an excellent greenhouse but no staff time available to work with it, so I volunteered,” explained Mitchell, who was a chemistry teacher and principal. “I enjoy volunteering immensely, and some of the students I see now tell me how much they enjoyed it.”

“Nobody likes gardening more than I do,” Mitchell said. He was certified as a Master Gardener by the University of Kentucky Extension Service eight years ago. He has been a member of the Whitley County Master Gardener Association since it began.

“I want to thank Mr. Mitchell for making a difference by sharing his time and love of gardening with students,” said Karen Engle, who leads the nonprofit PRIDE organization. “He is an inspiration for us all. He shows that volunteering can be fun and rewarding when you follow your interests.”

“I’m proud to be considered a PRIDE Volunteer of the Month,” Mitchell added. “PRIDE has been an asset to our community over the years. It gives us an opportunity to volunteer with something worthwhile.”

The PRIDE Volunteer of the Month program recognizes hard work and dedication to the PRIDE initiative. With corporate sponsorship from TECO Coal, WYMT-TV airs commercials about each PRIDE Volunteer of the Month. The 12 Volunteers of the Month are considered for PRIDE’s annual Tony Turner Volunteer of the Year Award.

“Volunteers are the backbone of PRIDE,” said Congressman Hal Rogers, who founded PRIDE in 1997. “We wouldn’t be where we are without our volunteers. More than 290,000 volunteers have helped with PRIDE cleanup and education projects. We want to thank TECO Coal for helping PRIDE give these generous people the recognition they deserve.”

In 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky, PRIDE links citizens with the resources of local, state and federal agencies to clean up the region’s waterways, end illegal trash dumps and promote environmental education and awareness. PRIDE is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The PRIDE web site is www.kypride.org.