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One Who Cares - Art Schmidt
(This is the full text of Miracles' nomination to KCRG's
9 Who Care Jefferson Awards.)
Art Schmidt, Treasurer, Miracles in Motion
If you would ask most of the volunteers at Miracles in Motion, “What
does Art Schmidt do for Miracles?” they probably wouldn’t
know. They wouldn’t know that he has contributed thousands of
hours to Miracles in Motion and that he has played a major role in the
success of Miracles in Motion organization.
In 1991, it was the good fortune of Miracles in Motion that Art was
looking for a volunteer job through RSVP. As our board president at
the time recalls: “I called RSVP to get a volunteer and they hooked
me up with him. I met him at the Springhouse restaurant to talk about
what our needs were... and he brought me a huge sack of green beans
from his garden. I was so impressed at how thoughtful he was. Of course,
at that time, we had all of about $50.00 to our name, so as you know,
the job has grown tremendously during Art’s reign.” The
duties were explained to Art as “Just a few hours a month, paying
bills, making deposits and keeping the books.” A ledger sheet
and a checkbook were all the tools needed. Along with those duties came
a seat on the board of directors as the treasurer of Miracles in Motion.
It was several years after Art started volunteering before we realized
that his daughter was eligible for our program. She participated for
two years, and during that time Art volunteered as a sidewalker in his
daughter’s classes. He gained an even deeper appreciation and
understanding of the program and became (and continues to be) one of
Miracle’s most enthusiastic supporters. In addition to his treasurer
duties, Art also participates in fundraising events and established
the first perennial flower beds at the farm—each summer as the
Iris appear, we are grateful for Art’s green thumb.
Art is a natural record keeper. His volunteer duties include taking
care of all accounting, insurance, banking, taxes and payroll. He is
meticulous, exact, careful and very detailed in fulfilling these duties.
In the words of past board president, Gerry Friauf, “Art meticulously
documents all gifts and monetary contributions as well as every expense.
He insists on documenting even the smallest gifts and expenses, even
if donated by our volunteers. As Art explained many times," It's
the only way that we can know what our actual operating costs are."
Not withstanding, our generous volunteers often continued the practice
of donating items or paying bills out their pockets, but would state,"
Don't tell Art!"
"Don't tell Art" has become a phrase that attests to Art's
thoroughness and is used frequently to honor him, as some how he always
finds out.”
You might think that a person with these particular qualities would
be somewhat inflexible and, well, not much fun to be around. You would
be wrong. Art’s affinity for numbers is eclipsed by his amiability
and his zest for life and learning. When the Miracles in Motion records
outgrew the ledger book, Art bought a computer and learned accounting
software. When Miracles hired employees, Art gained expertise in doing
payroll including learning all of the governmental rule and regulations.
(Can you imagine? Ugh!) Through the years, as Art’s job as treasurer
became increasingly time-consuming and complicated he never once complained.
Never. Not once. In fact, we would be hard pressed to think of a time
when Art wasn’t smiling.
Art is a cheerful person with a finely tuned sense of humor. It is rare
for a person to come away from an interaction with Art not having laughed.
He delights in sharing his good humor and his considerable conversational
skills with those around him. Art is simply one of those rare people
who seems to enjoy just about everything he does and, luckily for those
who know him, is willing to share that joy.
Art’s contribution to Miracles in Motion has been significant.
Because he takes care of the countless details involved in his job as
treasurer and does his job so well, others in the organization are free
to focus on program development and meeting the needs of our students.
Art quietly and humbly provides a sound and solid foundation on which
Miracles can build. (In fact, he does his job so quietly and humbly,
most volunteers have no idea just how much he does.) From those early
years with practically no assets, six students and borrowed horses to
the present with our own 76-acre farm, 15 horses and over 160 students
per year, Art has tended and nurtured Miracles in Motion with caring,
commitment and dedication unmatched.
Recently, health concerns have forced Art to think about scaling back
his duties at Miracles. In 2004, upon the advice of his doctors, he
will relinquish some of his duties to others. It is a sad development
for those of us at Miracles in Motion—not because it will be impossible
to find a person with his skills (which it will) but because we find
it impossible to imagine a Miracles in Motion without Art.
During a recent visit to his home I was given the grand tour of the
Miracles files. (Art was scheduled for a medical procedure the next
day and wanted to make sure we were up-to-date.) We chatted about the
size and complexity of his job—mostly I was expressing my awe
at all of the things he keeps track of and all that he has had to learn
in recent years. Art simply stated, “Well, I think learning the
computer and teaching myself how to do payroll, kept me sharp.”
Just like Art to point out what he got rather than what he gave. That
is why this award would be so wonderful for Art to win—he knows
that giving is the reward—he never looks beyond that for the recognition.
At a time in life when most folks shift their focus to relaxation and
leisure, Art instead focused on finding a way to help his community.
We, at Miracles, are so very fortunate that he chose us. Art is a true
role model—he has shown us that every stage of life can be rich
and rewarding when you continue sharing your gifts with others. He is
an inspiration for us all.
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