2011 Ye?lan Lima Award Winners

L-R: Kathleen George, Tyrone Spellman, and Diane Lang

L-R: Kathleen George, Larry Bardell, Miao Zhao, and Paul Barnes

Posted on: December 22nd, 2011

We have all seen individuals go above and beyond to help another.  Whether that other is a person or animal, their drive to be all that they can be is truly something that garners respect from all who witness it.  For those that receive the benefit from that individual’s assistance, recipients often are unable to fully express their words of gratitude.

In 1997, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde created their charitable foundation – The Spirit Mountain Community Fund.  Since then, Spirit Mountain Community Fund has been quietly helping their neighbors and friends by supporting communities in an 11-county area.  Investing more than $55 million since 1997 is a proud accomplishment for the Tribe.

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund is constantly striving to recognize those unsung heroes in the community that never ask for recognition. They just ask for a smile in return.  It is with this spirit that the Community Fund created the Ye?lan Lima (Helping Hands) Awards in 2010.  In this second year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund is proud to honor two individuals that truly epitomize “helping hands”.

On December 19, 2011, Spirit Mountain Community Fund Executive Director Kathleen George presented the prestigious Ye?lan Lima Awards to two individuals – Tyrone Spellman and Larry Bardell who exemplify community service and inspire their colleagues through their personal dedication.  As nominated by their peers and selected by Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s Board of Trustees, both Mr. Spellman and Mr. Bardell were selected for their outstanding dedication and inspirational efforts in their respective non-profit organizations.

The first award was presented to Mr. Tyrone Spellman, a volunteer at HIV Alliance, Eugene, Oregon.  Mr. Spellman was selected from among two dozen deserving nominees to honor the dedication of nonprofit volunteers.  The mission of the HIV Alliance, where Mr. Spellman dedicates countless hours educating about HIV, AIDS and prevention is to support individuals living with HIV/AIDS and prevent new HIV infections.  He is treasured as a spokesman-educator for his powerful ability to encourage diverse audiences to take courageous actions toward safe sexual practices, self awareness and understanding.

The second award winner for the paid non-management category is Mr. Larry Bardell, employed by Albany InReach Services.  In Albany, Oregon, Mr. Bardell was selected from among a long list of highly deserving nominees who dedicate their work to serving the community through non-profit organizations.  Albany InReach Services is a safety-net clinic that connects adults and children without health insurance with health care providers and needed services.  After retiring from the VA hospital as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Mr. Bardell has provided nearly 400 mental health appointments in just six months.  He treats those with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and suicidal feelings who would otherwise not have access to mental health services.  Being bilingual, Mr. Bardell will also be teaching the postpartum depression education class for Albany InReach in 2012 for Spanish speaking mothers.

“The dedication and service of people like Mr. Spellman and Mr. Bardell is what keeps the work of our non-profit services alive in our communities.  In these hard economic times, many people would not receive health care, counseling or outreach if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of passionate people like these gentlemen,” observed George.  “They are the heroes of our non-profit agencies.”

Spellman says of his work with the HIV Alliance, “Our time for detours grows ever so short; abdicating our birthright to be of service to our entire global family is no longer an option.”

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