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Pete Award winner has 'heart of gold'
A mother and foster mother, she has been involved with Special Olympics for 22 years and Girl Scouts for 35 years. She's also been a school bus driver for 32 years. For her long-time service to the community, the Flora Lions Club selected her to be the 2006 Pete Award winner. She was presented a plaque at the Lions' award dinner Tuesday night. The annual award is named after the late DeVere "Pete" Hoffman. Mary is the 23rd recipient of the honor. She and her husband, Bill, were parents of four when they started taking in foster children. Mary said 20 foster children stayed with them over a period of 15 years. She said their length of stay ranged from one week to 11 years. Their last two foster children were brothers, and the McCartys adopted them. "We love children," Mary said. One of the adopted boys was a special needs child, and Mary got him involved in Special Olympics in Carroll County. She helped with the program for a few years and then took over as Carroll County Coordinator. It's a volunteer position, and she has several volunteer assistants. "We're low on volunteers right now," she said. Special Olympics teams include basketball, track and field, softball, and bowling. Mary said the sports keep her busy 12 months of the year. With area and state competitions, that means traveling to places like Crawfordsville, North Montgomery, Greencastle, Logansport, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute. "We have about 40 participants, but each one may not be in all of the sports," Mary said. They go in her personal van when possible, racking up 700 to 900 miles a month. If the number participating in any one event is too many for her van, she thankfully is able to use a Carroll school bus. "And I drive," Mary said. "Bowling just ended. Even before it was over, we started basketball practice," she said. "We have three teams this year." Mary said Special Olympics is for age 8 on up. "It can make a big difference in their lives," she said. "It gives them motivation and gives them something to be proud of." People in the community give Mary a lot of credit for her leadership in Special Olympics. "She's an advocate for special needs kids," said Donita Kennedy. "It's almost like her mission in life is to help them see some normalcy in their lives. She has a tremendous amount of patience. "She gives of herself all the time and never expects anything in return," said Joretta Tinsman, treasurer for Carroll County Special Olympics. Gale Ann Downham said Mary is good with those in Special Olympics. "She knows what she's doing," Gale Ann said. She added that Mary treats everyone fairly and equally. "Mary spends a lot of time with Special Olympics," said Mary Zinn. "She was in Indianapolis all last weekend. She does it so willingly - and she enjoys it." "Mary does a lot of things and never complains," said Larry DeVos, pastor of Bringhurst United Methodist Church, where Mary attends. Scouting is another example of her working with children. She helped with Cub Scouts for 17 years. She's also been a Girl Scout leader and day camp director. For the past 20 years, she's been in charge of Fall Product Sales and Girl Scout cookies. After more than three decades in Scouting, Mary says, "I keep saying, 'Just one more year.'" Mary is also a loyal employee of the Carroll Consolidated School Corporation. She started as a bus driver in 1974, and has driven longer than any other current driver. She makes three trips to Delphi a day, transporting special needs children. "She is very dedicated to her bus driving, and she really cares about the kids," said fellow bus driver Kathy Flora. Mary has helped numerous young people through foster parenting, Special Olympics, Scouting, and bus driving. As Pat Kennedy said, "She has a heart of gold." |
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