CHAMBERSBURG – Pat Marthouse and Mindy Dice have been honored by the United Way of Franklin County for their dedicated service to the nonprofit community. The Cynthia Hawbaker Memorial Award is given each year in appreciation for extraordinary volunteer commitment. It serves as a memorial to the service and commitment of the former executive director of the organization.
“The community benefits greatly when volunteers share their talents in service to an organization, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of these volunteers,” said Amy Hicks, United Way executive director.
Marthouse volunteers with the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center, where she combines expertise from years teaching special education with experience in horsemanship, United Way officials said. The Therapeutic Riding Center brings new ability to people who have experienced physical limitations by using the horse to provide motion and as a vehicle for communication.
Marthouse helps regularly with feeding and equine management, serves on the facility operations committee, mentors other volunteers and works with riders. She is part of a crew of dedicated volunteers that give time weekly, helping to ensure that the Center runs smoothly and ensuring the health and safety of riders, volunteers and horses. In recent months, Marthouse gave additional time to help when another member of the team was recovering from injury, in addition to her regular responsibilities.
Dice is a volunteer of 17 running seasons with Go Girls Go, a program of Healthy Communities Partnership that is designed to improve the health and well-being of girls from fourth through sixth grade by inviting them to participate in an after-school running group.
Dice has been with the program since its first season, helping to mentor young females, providing coaching, information about self-care and encouragement for participants to stretch their endurance through the running program. Her leadership through this program provides and inspires young people to advance as athletes, United Way officials noted.
Annually, United Way of Franklin County provides assistance for more than 20 programs that support individuals and families residing throughout Franklin County. More than 26,000 points of service were provided through United Way supported programs last year, including access to food, programs that promote literacy, early learning, financial stability and health.
