Gleaners’ Distinguished Volunteers

Gleaners Community Food Bank has identified seven individuals to celebrate for their commitment to our organization. We have nominated them as Distinguished Volunteers through the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

Distinguished Volunteers inspire with their passion and motivation and always go the extra mile.


Dave VanAsselt
Ingenious

Dave VanAsselt used his expertise in software development to construct a tailored customer transaction computer system for My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery.  This system is crucial to the success of the program, and Dave took incredible initiative in the research and development of the system. He continues to use his professional skills and his personal passion to actively combat hunger.  

Drieka DeGraff
Leader

As a retired GM executive, Drieka DeGraff processes project management skills beyond compare.  Her talented, focused and professional leadership has been essential to successfully launching the new on-line volunteer management system used by Gleaners Community Food Bank where more than 48,000 volunteer openings are filled each year.  She is meticulous, thorough, and frequently identifies opportunities to increase efficiency and impact.   

Ed Hopkins
Devoted

A dedicated volunteer, Ed Hopkins’ most recent project with Gleaners Community Food Bank has been logistical support for My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery.  After a career in the Department of Army, he enjoys making life a little easier for veterans, ensuring they have easy access to healthy food right where they reside. 

Joe Callaghan
Scholar

As a Professor of Accounting at Oakland University, Joe Callaghan is accustomed to solving complicated problems.  For Gleaners Community Food Bank, he tackled the particularly complicated questions raised by taking a generic, cloud-based scheduling/management system and translating it for use with operations that span multiple locations and programs.  His ability to investigate, obtain, explain, and analyze data has been essential.    

Judy Champagne
Steadfast

For many years, Judy Champagne has spent Saturday mornings at Gleaners Detroit Warehouse.  She is the calm in the midst of a storm of eager volunteers.  Judy is patient, organized and professional in managing office responsibilities and volunteer needs.  Her work helps to ensure Gleaners has the volunteers needed to sort and pack food for hungry families in southeastern Michigan.   

Margarette Rogensues
Compassionate

Margarette Rogensues was been devoted to Gleaners Community Food Bank throughout her high school years and her devotion has continued during her years as a student at Oakland University. Margarette is indefatigable when faced with mountains of data to be carefully entered into myriad spreadsheets.  She is fast, efficient, accurate and always motivated by a compassionate heart.   

Pam Kerr
Committed

If you want something done, give it to Pam Kerr.  She has volunteered with My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery since its inception, helping in all roles, but particularly devoted to managing financial matters.  She is committed and compassionate with a special heart for helping veterans.  She has built lasting friendships with the people she serves in our community.