Melwood Volunteers Recognized for Efforts

Fifty volunteers were recognized Wednesday for their work with Melwood, an Upper Marlboro-based nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities find jobs, get cars and provide other services to improve their lives.

Melwood's Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon began at 11 a.m.

Representatives of the nonprofit said without the volunteers they would not be able to provide such an outstanding level of service.

Here's a list of those that were recognized:

• Cleonice Copus, wife of Melwood founder Earl Copus, was the recipient of a Special Governor's Award from Gov. Martin O' Malley's Office on Service and Volunteerism. Copus was nominated by Melwood.  
• Melwood's current and former board members were the recipients of the Governor's Volunteer Service Certificate.  
• The rest of Melwood's volunteers were presented with certificates of appreciation from Melwood's staff.
• Six volunteers were given special gifts for being nominated as "Key Volunteers": Elaine Lancaster, Cleonice Copus, Mimi Colevas, Bob Walsh, Peter Hutt and Samuel Thompkins.
• Melwood also presented certificates of appreciation to the following group volunteers/corporations for working with Melwood and providing us with groups of volunteers:
  • Seamon Corporation of Greenbelt, MD
  • Industrial Bank, Oxon Hill branch
  • Melwood Church of the Nazarene in Upper Marlboro
  • Lions Club District 22-C (which according to their Web site, serves a district is defined as Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince Georges, St. Mary's Counties and the District of Columbia.) 

Melwood is always interested in adding volunteers to their team. If interested, please contact Lois Williams, Volunteer Coordinator, at 301-599-2724.