CEFS Honors BreAnna Tucker as Outstanding Volunteer

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently recognized volunteers that helped the agency achieve its mission. According to C.E.F.S. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Bushur, “The agency recognized outstanding acts of volunteerism and civic involvement to help transform lives and to build stronger communities.”

For giving the gift of valuable time to help others, C.E.F.S. recognized BreAnna Tucker as a 2018 Outstanding Volunteer. Bushur commented, “The agency and program accomplishments would not have been attained without the shared commitment, dedication and involvement of our outstanding volunteers.” Bushur continued, “It was a privilege to honor BreAnna Tucker with the 2018 outstanding volunteer award recognition.”

BreAnna Tucker has volunteered at Altamont Head Start Center on a regular basis. Every month BreAnna helped prepare the classroom, completed projects for the teachers, chaperoned field trips, and assisted with the children. BreAnna donated supplies all year and when the home donation list was sent home, she donated most if not all items on the list.

Teacher Megan Kuenstler noted, “BreAnna is a very positive and happy person and the children love when she shows up to volunteer. She does whatever needs to be done such as sweeping the floor, cleaning the tables, interacting with the children, and also helps keep the classroom stocked with supplies from donations.”

Head Start is a federally funded program which has been in existence since 1965. The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program offers center-based services to preschool children and home-based services to pregnant women, infants and toddlers in the seven counties in the C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation’s service area. Head Start Program eligibility is largely income-based, although other eligibility criteria such as disabilities and services needed by the family are also used to determine acceptance into the program.

The Head Start 0-5 Program provides comprehensive early childhood education, health and developmental screenings, parent involvement opportunities and family socializations. Head Start promotes school preparation by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services. The program’s services and resources are designed to foster stable family relationships, enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being and establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills.

The Head Start philosophy is to provide all children with individualized care and guidance in reaching their potential. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The mission of C.E.F.S. is to provide opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. The programs and services offered through C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation make a real difference in the lives of residents of the community. Bushur stated, “Nearly 3,500 volunteers provided nearly 154,000 volunteer hours working very hard this year to help the agency achieve coordinated efforts to truly benefit low-income people.”

For more information about the community action agency or program please contact the local C.E.F.S. Effingham County Outreach Office at 217/347-7514, the central office at 217/342-2193 or the agency website at www.cefseoc.org or the agency Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cefseoc.