Community Spirit Nomination of Diana Bellofatto

Nominated by Norma and Timothy Peters

Diana Bellofatto is not only the hardest working volunteer we have ever
known, she is an amazingly effective volunteer who works constantly
without fanfare to effect great change. She is not one to sit on Boards
with big titles accumulating kudos. She is the concrete foundation in
the background that does the hard work that makes positive things happen
for all the causes she champions. Diana is a grass roots worker who
recognizes the need and is not afraid to pitch in where it's dark and
dirty and get the job done

We first became acquainted with Diana when she helped with the first
Alzheimer Walk in 2001. She volunteered to be co-director of Team
Battelle for that event and her giving has been ongoing ever since. But
she did not limit herself to one cause. Through absolute dedication to
helping others she musters up enough energy to volunteer and continues
to make a significant difference in several additional organizations.
Those of which we are aware are:

Alzheimer\'s Walk 2001, co-director 2002; Catholic Family and Child
Services 2001; Fighting Children\'s Cancer Foundation 2004, co-director
2005, 2006, and 2007; For The Love Of Giving 2001, 2002, 2003,
co-director 2004, 2005, 2006; Special Olympics 2001; Neurological
Resource Center co-director 2002, 2003; Woman of Achievement 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006.

Listing these does not do her justice because you cannot see the effect
she has on people, those she works with as well as those who benefit
from her efforts. In all these years I have been so awestruck at all she
accomplishes for each cause. Diana sees the whole picture, tunes in to
details, and takes care of them. She does an exemplary job of
representing Battelle in the community.

We worked especially closely with Diana on a committee to start a new
fundraiser for The Neurological Resource Center (TNRC), and her efforts
were critical in establishing Variete! and making it into the major
fundraiser for TNRC today. Leading by example she taught us so much.

When we learned that the Fighting Children's Cancer group was forming
and struggling, we asked Diana if she would like to help. She was a key
player in forming Fighting Children's Cancer Foundation and not only
serves on the Board, but also has been a dynamo in going out into the
community creating awareness of the needs, soliciting support, and
teaching other volunteers how to maximize the benefit of their efforts,
much as she has done for the other organizations. Many volunteers have
learned from her leadership and example; thus the effects of her efforts
are multiplying.

In all these years we have been so awestruck at all she accomplishes for
each cause. Diana sees the whole picture, tunes into details and takes
care of them. Her thoughtfulness in taking care and thanking volunteers
results in a cooperative Team Battelle effort that is both productive
and fun.

It must be her selfless dedication to helping others that enables her to
accomplish so much and do it all so well. Her accomplishments are mind
boggling, especially since in addition to her full-time job, she is
single parenting two teen-age children with Attention Deficient
Hyperactivity Disorder. Reminds me of the "widow's mite" in scripture
wherein her contribution was mightiest of all because she gave from her
need. Diana does not just give her mite she goes beyond that; she
dismisses her own needs and gives her all.

Diana is a real living super-woman and the community benefits because
she never thinks of herself. It is time to let her know how much she is
loved and appreciated for all she does in the community. She definitely
deserves to be honored with the Community Spirit Award THIS year! Diana
makes a difference!