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Newswatch 12 is proud to bring you our continuing series, Making a Difference.

If you know someone who is making a difference, email us at email@wjfw.com or call us at 365-8812 ext 1. We're looking forward to hearing from you and sharing the stories of people "Making a Difference".

Local Volunteer Helps Guide Student

Submitted: 05/26/2011

RHINELANDER - Mary Dork and Jada Appling share a unique relationship.

The two meet once a week during the school year to talk, play games, or learn new things like playing the keyboard.

And it's this type of one-on-one time that has Dork making a difference in Jada's life. Rhinelander Central School 5th grader Jada Appling is moving on to middle school next year.

"Very excited to go to middle school," Appling says.

She'll jump to sixth grade and plans to take her mentor, Mary Dork, with her.

"We're just having fun," Appling explains. "She takes me out of class sometimes to have more fun and its gets my grades up."

The two are paired through the Mentoring Oneida County Kids program, or MOCK for short.

"When I was in fourth grade my mom signed me up for this, which I had no clue what this was."

Dork volunteers for the program and has for three years. This is her second year with Jada.

"She enjoys having a mentor and enjoys that special one-on-one," Dork says. "I just think it makes her feel a lot better about herself. I know her teacher says she just looks forward to these days like I wouldn't believe�"

Dork works two part-time jobs but found time to give back to a district she feels gave her family so much.

"I just felt it was a way to give back to the community for the excellent education my daughter received here."

And a program like MOCK compliments that education for students who may not receive the attention they need outside the classroom.

"A personal evaluation from my point of view is I can see a lot of progress that she's made in maturing, growing up, the things she thinks, and ideals, and all good stuff."

Progress that Appling plans to continue next year at James Williams Middle School and says the mentoring has improved an important skill for succeeding in school.

"My listening," Appling says. "Also having a little more fun in school."

A little more fun in school with the help of a community volunteer.

The program currently has 82 matches and a large waiting list.

Program organizers say most of the waiting list consists of boys looking for a male mentor.

Story By: Matt Doyle

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Dedicated Dad

Submitted: 05/19/2011

RHINELANDER - Soccer is the name of the game for these young athletes here in Rhinelander. And that's why they have a team of coaches to back them up.

"Just to watch the girls improve it's pretty satisfying," says Soccer Coach, Joe Sturzl.

Coaches like Joe Sturzl, of Rhinelander. He's not just leading soccer, he's also raising money for a new soccer shelter.

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YMCA Volunteer Keeps Programs Afloat

Submitted: 05/12/2011

RHINELANDER - Name a committee at the YMCA of the Northwoods and Kathy Powers either runs it or is heavily involved in keeping it alive and thriving.

She brainstorms on committees like the Strong Kids Campaign to provide children with a safe place to play and make friends, while also raising the money to keep them afloat.

She does it all on volunteered time according to Associate Executive Director, Laurie Schlitt. "She doesn't get paid for it, she truly does it out of the kindness of her heart."

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A Helping Hand

Submitted: 05/05/2011

RHINELANDER - When an EF3 tornado pounded the Merrill area last month, it left a lot of folks in need. A need that Tanya Newman says she'll never forget.

"Being able to offer them food, water, shelter and even just a shoulder to cry on and be there for them emotionally during a tragedy was just a great thing!"

Newman is part of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team out of Rhinelander. It has 20 volunteers who respond to emergencies in Oneida, Langlade, Vilas and Forest Counties whenever they're needed.

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Working for Free

Submitted: 03/24/2011

RHINELANDER - Keith McCaffery takes his job at the Department of Natural Resources in Rhinelander seriously. So, seriously he's been strolling into work here for nearly 12 years for free!

Keith McCaffery, Volunteer, DNR, says, "I have a great deal of affection and admiration for the the colleagues that I've worked with here. And it's really a thrill everyday to be able to come back and be able to associate with them. And I felt that I was getting fairly good at what I was doing and it's kind of fun to continue!"

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Open Arms Soup Kitchen

Submitted: 10/05/2010

TOMAHAWK - In this Making a Difference story we introduce you to three local women welcoming people in for a hot meal.

Open Arms Soup Kitchen in Tomahawk served up it's first bowls of hot soup to people in need in Tomahawk Monday night.

Phyllis Gorecki enjoyed a dinner out with friends. Something they don't get to do too often.

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