FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Tempe, AZ, April 22, 2010
2010 GOLD AND SILVER MIC AWARDS BESTOWED ON TWO SUN SOUNDS VOLUNTEERS
Each year, two of the nearly 200 volunteers at the Tempe Sun Sounds studios are honored with the special recognition of the Gold Mic Award for Volunteer of the Year, and the Silver Mic Award for lifetime service. This year Sun Sounds of Arizona is proud to bestow these awards on David Frens and Kim Del Barto.
David Frens, the 2010 Gold Mic Award winner, was selected for his commitment and dedication to the listeners of Sun Sounds. Frens, a retired neurologist who lives in Sun City West, makes the drive to Rio Salado College two, sometimes three times a week. In the two years he’s been a Sun Sounds volunteer Frens has read more than 30 fiction and non-fiction books on Bookworld and A Good Book. “Reading is a hobby and a passion of mine. In retirement I wanted to find a way to combine my passion with service to my community.” Listeners may be surprised to learn just how passionate this volunteer is! Before
reading any book on the air Frens has read it at least once, taking copious notes on areas of tricky pronunciation. He keeps detailed logs of what
he’s read and when it airs.
This past year Frens read Bones in the Desert by local author Jana Bommersbach, whom he interviewed prior to the airing of the book.
The interview was selected by Sun Sounds to be entered in the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) 2009
Programming Awards.
In addition to books Frens spent much of 2009 reading The Arizona Republic Thursday edition live twice a month, and recording the Sunday edition
once a month. He also served as a substitute reader, often jumping in at a moment’s notice.
Kim Del Barto, the 2010 Silver Mic winner, started volunteering at the Great Arizona Beer Festival in 1992. She enjoyed it so much that she
returned again and again, increasing her responsibilities each year. In 1998 she became a charter member of the newly-established Sun Sounds
Foundation, and recently increased her time commitment by accepting the position of Foundation Secretary.
At the Great Arizona Beer Festival Kim manages logistics and placement of 50 different tents, tables, and vendors, supplying them all with beer,
ice, and power. She solves the hundreds of small issues that such an event can produce, and makes sure that every vendor is accommodated and
satisfied. Kim helped to re-design the footprint of this year’s festival, creating clearer traffic patterns and a much more welcoming venue. Kim
is a planner, an organizer, a team player, a hard worker, and very dedicated Sun Sounds volunteer.
Sun Sounds of Arizona salutes David Frens and Kim Del Barto for the awards. Also receiving special recognition at the Volunteer Reception were Rose
Dryer for 30 years of service, Walter McConnell for 20 years of service, Gary Gallegos for 20 years of service, and Bob Murphy for 15 years of service.
We gratefully acknowledge the more than 500 volunteers throughout the state who provide access to printed material for people with disabilities.
For additional information about this release, contact:
Heidi Capriotti
Marketing Coordinator, Sun Sounds of Arizona
2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281-6950
480-774-8300
heidi.capriotti@riomail.maricopa.edu
About Sun Sounds of Arizona
Sun Sounds of Arizona, established in 1979, is a radio reading and information access service for people who cannot read print due to a disability. A community outreach of Rio Salado College’s Division of Public Service, Sun Sounds and 500 volunteers across the state provide information access free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using special radios, designated cable systems, telephone and the internet.
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