Finalists
2007 Finalists
With tales of common and uncommon and random and not-so-random acts of kindness, the following are the winners of the first annual XO Awards sponsored by Connect Magazine and the law offices of Kirton & McConkie: The award designed to give back to those who are constantly giving back.
Kip Wadsworth, Utah National Guard Charitable Trust Fund
Nomination submitted by Kevan Blair:
Over the years, Kip, President and CEO of Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, has always tried to give back to those in need or to various community causes. However, in January of 2005, Kip attended an executive team meeting where he was very concerned about the patriots serving in the military and their families and said, “I don’t know what, but we need to do something for our troops. They are putting their lives on the line for us every day and we need to help!” Kip discovered that once our troops are deployed, they often leave higher paying jobs for much lower pay. Their families frequently develop severe financial and emotional difficulties. During deployment, mortgage and car payments can’t be made, appliances break down, homes need repair and medical and utility bills go unpaid. In addition, when injured soldiers return, they often don’t get their former jobs back.
During the last two years (and again this year in 2007), his company sponsored major fund raising efforts for the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust Fund. In 2005 and 2006 combined, and under Kip’s direction, Wadsworth raised over $255,000 from over 750 companies and individuals. Both years’ fund raising efforts culminated in 5k run/walks that attracted over 800 participants. In addition to Wadsworth’s own substantial cash contributions, it donated many thousands of dollars in volunteer labor and material costs to raise the funds and sponsor the 5k run/walks. Wadsworth’s fundraising and support efforts continue in 2007under the guidanceand direction of Kip.
Emily Warren, Photographer
Nomination submitted by Ryan Nichols:
For the past year, Emily has volunteered to photograph terminally ill children at local hospitals. In the hours before these critically ill children are to be removed from life support, the hospitals and the families of these children would contact Emily, requesting that she take their pictures. The pictures that Emily takes of these children and their families will likely be the only family photographs they will ever have. These hospitals hand-picked Emily due to her sensitivity in photographing the children as well as her ability to genuinely connect and sympathize with the families of these children.
As a working single mother of three children -- the youngest of which is deaf -- Emily deals with a level of pressure that many of us have never known. Somehow, in addition to those pressures, Emily has been able to deal with experiencing the extremely traumatic circumstances of each these hospital-bound children -- taking their pictures in what she knew would be their last hours of life. Making a difference in our world is often best done on an individual basis--and if anybody has blessed the lives of individual families in our Salt Lake City community, it has been Emily in her efforts to preserve the memory of a prematurely lost child.
Margaret Deelstra, Speech Therapist
Nomination submitted by Landon Halverson:
Troy was three years old when he was diagnosed with a Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) or better known as speech delayed. The doctors suggested that we make arrangements to have Troy meet with a speech therapist to help overcome his DLD. The name of a certain teacher kept coming up in all circles regarding speech therapy. The name that came up was Margaret.
Margaret taught an all-day kindergarten class for special needs children. Margaret insisted on having no more than seven students in her class. She needed one-on-one time will this special group of children because they had special needs.
I was in awe the first time that I walked into Margaret's classroom. It was so ornately decorated and completely focused on the children. Margaret had created a pleasant, inviting, educational and expressive environment for the children to work.
I remember how frustrated Troy was when he first started with Miss Margaret. I had a huge amount of hope for Troy and the other children, but I was not terribly optimistic about the outcome. I never would have expected much from the seven children in this class as they had so many hurdles to overcome with their speech alone. I only hoped that Troy would make enough progress so that we could enroll him in the first grade in the next year or two. I was not expecting what happened to happen. I attribute Troy's development and success to Margaret. Margaret inspired the children to want to accomplish more and more and more. She created a loving, safe and inspirational work environment for the children to work. Thanks to her efforts, Troy will be moving to the first grade without issues. And surprisingly enough, so will his other six classmates. Seeing the difference in the abilities of these seven children over a nine month period of time is nothing short of miraculous. Margaret is now and always will be my superhero!
Grant Hodgkinson, 110% all his life
Nomination submitted by Martha Murdoch:
Even in his advanced years Grant, without any thought of recognition goes far above even the most dedicated in his never failing, consistent love, and unselfish service to others. When Grant and his wife Lois were married, they took Lois' disabled sister to live with them and they have lovingly cared for her for their entire 25+ years of marriage. This exceptionally modest man has quietly gone way beyond the extra mile and has given 110%+ in all that he has done throughout his life.
He is beloved by his family, his work, his church, his neighbors and his community. Grant has each year unfailingly had a large garden which he willingly shares with many families in need. He has cared for a large, ever changing and growing list of widows and elderly. Grant has always had a willing pair of hands for repairs, snow removal, what ever needed doing, for many, many families who could not help themselves.
Over his dedicated quiet life of service, his grace and good humor has brightened many a head that was cast low. There is not one person in this state who is more deserving of recognition for a life of cheerful and unselfish service to others.
Steve and Marilyn Ashton, 13 children, 7 adopted children
Nomination submitted by Susan Preator:
Steve and Marilyn, after raising 13 children of their own, have adopted 7 more and are raising them. The adoptees are all special needs and different nationalities--children abandoned and unwanted by most others.
Steve and Marilyn do a wonderful job, bringing all of their children to church every Sunday, taking care of all their needs, and giving them the same love they gave to their twelve outstanding birth-children. They certainly deserve a medal and much more.
Caylee Stern, Child Development Specialist
Nomination submitted by Marc Stern:
Caylee works as a Child Development Specialist in early-childhood intervention for the non-profit organization DDI Vantage within the Granite School District. Caylee assists many children under the age of three that have learning delays, mental and physical disabilities and disorders. She assesses the children, teaches the parents better skills and how to better respond to the special needs of their children. She works hard to meet the specialized needs of each family and has a great deal of concern for each of the children. A majority of the families live 100% below the poverty level and have no other resources for their very young children. Although Caylee doesn’t make very much money doing her job, she always makes significant contributions to those in need through programs such as the Sub-for-Santa program every year.
Last year Caylee was very distraught when half of the families she worked with didn’t have a Sub-for-Santa sponsor and she made heart-felt efforts to seek funding. Fortunately a local middle school came to the rescue at the last minute and the students made a huge contribution to meet the needs.
Caylee cares so much about her work with the children and quality of performance in everything she does. Although every case she handles is completely confidential, I know that she has significant impacts on the families she touches and that she cares immensely. Caylee is a silent hero in Utah and she would never expect anything in return for what she does. She is a real hero to me and to those who know her.