When Shepherd’s Hope first began in 1997, Dr. Ruth McKeefery served as volunteer Executive Director for four years.  Now, each year, we choose an especially outstanding volunteer for the award named in honor of Ruth.  This year’s winner of the Dr. Ruth M. McKeefery Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service is Rose Beavers of our Apopka Shepherd’s Hope.

Our honoree has been a champion implementing the Shepherd’s Hope ministry through her church.  Before and after the Apopka health center opened, she provided crucial leadership in every aspect of planning and development as chairman of her church advisory council.  Rose leads quietly, humbly, behind the scenes, but has made an enormous impact.  She unassumingly yields influence resulting in hope and healing for thousands who need the services of Shepherd’s Hope.

Once our Apopka health center opened, Rose has continued to volunteer.  She arrives early, prepared and organized, helpful to other volunteers and patients.  She displays a loving spirit and glorious passion for patients who come to Shepherd’s Hope and also regularly recruits new volunteers and doctors, working to encourage donors as well. 

It is our privilege and pleasure to honor Rose Beavers from our Apopka Shepherd’s Hope, a woman who truly “lights the way to hope.”   Rose was presented with the Dr. Ruth M. McKeefery Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service at this year’s Call to Hope fundraising luncheon on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.