Catholic Charities Providing help. Creating hope.

Catholic Charities volunteer
recognized as "Unsung Hero"

by Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

Catholic Charities volunteer and Knights of Columbus member Bob Sullenberger of Venice was recently awarded with the Unsung Hero Award from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Wilson-Wood Foundation. The award provides public recognition to ordinary citizens who serve their communities in extraordinary ways.

Sullenberger was recognized for his work with Our Mother’s House, a Catholic Charities program in Venice that helps homeless mothers and their children achieve self-sufficiency. He also was acknowledged for co-founding the Dad’s and Mom’s Sugar Bowl Fund, a collaboration with the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Charities that helps low-income families with financial assistance during an economic crisis.

After the 2004 hurricane season, Sullenberger took on the task of assisting the Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team by establishing the Diocesan Amateur Radio Network (DARN). Currently Sullenberger has established emergency radio stations in Venice, Arcadia, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Naples and recruited 21 volunteers to man the stations in an event of an emergency.

 “Bob Sullenberger is a community treasure,” said Wendy Hopkins, vice president of grant and program services of the Community Foundation. “His patient tenacity and efficiency makes him the perfect volunteer. Catholic Charities is his charity of choice and they are lucky to have him,” she said.

According to Hopkins, the Unsung Hero Awards honor selfless individuals who often go unnoticed, but who make a vital contribution to the quality of life. "The goal of these awards is to acknowledge the efforts of these inspirational people and to encourage others to follow their excellent examples of dedicated community service," she said.

 “Catholic Charities will forever be in debt to Bob Sullenberger,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice.  “Over the years Bob has served our organization in so many different capacities. He is very deserving of this award.”

Photo: Wendy Hopkins (left), vice president of grant and program services of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards Catholic Charities Volunteer Bob Sullenberger with the Unsung Hero Award.