Mantua – Each year the Rotary Club of Mantua honors an Unsung Hero. According to Rotary President Dean Olson, this is an individual who exemplifies the virtues of the Rotary organization. The person must demonstrate the ideal of service above self, seeks opportunities to assist others, maintains high ethical standards, and respect of others, and finally volunteers their time to better the lives of all those they come in contact with.
This year, the group selected Kim Marfy, 8th grade social studies teacher at the Crestwood Middle School to receive this honor. Marfy has been an educator for 31 years, with 27 of those at the Crestwood Middle School. Three years ago she took the initiative to develop a much-needed student Sunshine Fund to support local families, and students in need. Annually, she coordinates several fundraisers a year to continue to finance the fund. This year, she collaborated with the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation, and the Rotary Club of Mantua for an online, virtual reverse raffle to raise over $6,000 for the Sunshine Fund.
Marfy noted that she had been working with Steve Zabor, Dean Olson, Susan Steinberg and Yvonne Moore on a Reverse Raffle for the CMS Student Sunshine Fund. “I thought I was attending a meeting to discuss the Reverse Raffle,” Marfy explained. “The meeting was virtual, so I saw all these faces in boxes on my screen. Dean Olson started talking about a person who did this and that and I thought it was just some side business in the meeting. But the more I listened, the more I thought, ‘Golly, are they talking about me? That person does the things I do,’” she added. “I had no idea they tricked me into attending the meeting so they could present me with an award!” Marfy marveled.
“I was so surprised and so very grateful,” Marfy acknowledged. “It means so much that folks noticed the important things that are happening.” She added, “It felt really nice to be appreciated.”
In addition to the Sunshine Fund, Marfy created, organized and continues to execute the CMS HERO program that introduces and encourages 8th grade students into community service. Each year, all those who participate in the program are recognized, with one chosen to receive a donation of $1,000 towards the charity they where they volunteered. As a part of the program, Marfy contacts CNN HEROes each year in order for them to skype with her students and answer questions.
Her colleagues credit her with always thinking of creative ways to support students and their families both within and outside the classroom. A dynamic educator, Marfy created a leadership team at CMS, which organized activities at the middle school for student leadership. The ‘character pillar’ photographs at the middle school were organized by Marfy and her students.
“I love my students and this community,” Marfy added. “I am so grateful for the support that my colleagues and administrators give me. They never say no to my outlandish and work intensive ideas. Instead they are happy to support and assist me.”
