Gibault honors citizens at awards banquet

By Brian M. Boyce
The Tribune-Star

Terre Haute, IN - March 14, 2008 - James Sinclair recalled that heroes from his youth were "every day people" who dedicated careers to helping others.

"Helping kids learn how to do the right thing, even when no one is looking," he said in opening remarks for the Gibault Children’s Services’ Sixth Annual Community Awards banquet Friday night.

Sinclair, president/CEO of Gibault, joined a crowded cafeteria there to honor seven area citizens who he said were his "new heroes" for making a difference in young people’s lives.

Kevin Dobson was awarded the Gibault Excellence Award for Education, along with Margaret Manus for the Youth Sector. Cari Burchwell was awarded the Friend of Gibault Award, with Dr. Lori McFann being named to the Gibault Volunteer Award. Kathy Roush received the Gibault Humanitarian Award, with Patrick Salako and Cary Molinder the Father Gibault Awards.

Dobson, who pastors at the First Prairie Creek Baptist Church, also serves as a psychologist with Community Christian Counseling and the Associated Psychologists.

Salako, a youth treatment specialist at Gibault, received his award as presenter Rob Sturm explained that while Salako has only worked three years at the facility, his overtime could count up to eight years of experience.

"He’s here when I get here in the morning … and he’s out there playing basketball with the kids when I leave," Sturm said.

Salako, a Terre Haute North High School alum, said he enjoys working with the youth at Gibault.

"I learn a lot here from the kids as well as from teaching them," he said.

Gibault was founded by the Knights of Columbus in 1921 as a home for wayward boys. Today, it is a multi-faceted facility that has served more than 8,000 children and their families.

But the K of C has not forgotten its charge, and was on hand Friday night to bestow upon the facility a check for $27,188.

The night’s dinner was served by students, who also provided entertainment by way of music teacher Frank Orbik and the Gibault Lab Band, who brought their guitars out to sing John Denver’s "Country Roads," Harry Chapin’s "Cat’s in the Cradle" and Van Morrison’s "Gloria."

As Jeremy Dix, Gibault Human Resources director, presented Burchwell her Friend of Gibault Award, he quoted Winston Churchill as saying "we make a living by what we do. We make a life by what we give."

Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.