ORLANDO – Thirteen volunteers from eleven Lutheran churches in Central Florida were honored at the fifth annual Good Samaritan Awards on Feb. 20. The reception and dinner were held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Orlando with 182 people attending.

The Good Samaritan Award is presented by Lutheran Services Florida to exceptional volunteers whose faith is an extension beyond the usual and normal activities of their life and is an expression of the love of God through helping others.

The 2011 honorees included:

- Wilma Ballard, Hope Lutheran Church, Orlando

- Nick and Erika Bosco, Holy Cross Lutheran Ministries, Lake Mary

- Janine Delehunt and Glenda Frazier, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Orlando

- Gloria Heumann, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo

- James Ingersoll, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Orlando

- Fred More, Trinity Lutheran Church, Kissimmee

- June Morrison, Reformation Lutheran Church, Orlando

- Becky Rotroff, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Longwood

- Alton Scott, Ascension Lutheran Church, Casselberry

- Edward Soistman, Sr. (1919-2010, in memoriam), St. John Lutheran Church, Winter Park

- Rev. Peter Zieg, All Saints Lutheran Church, Orlando

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Judy Duda for more than two decades of service to Lutheran Services Florida. She was a member of the Board of Directors of LSF (formerly Lutheran Ministries of Florida) from 1988 to 1995, holding several leadership roles including Vice President. She helped in the planning of LSF’s 25th Anniversary celebration and was instrumental in launching the Good Samaritan Awards in Orlando. She continues to serve on the Good Samaritan Planning Committee.

Eric Tillich, Vice President for Agency Advancement at LSF, served as Master of Ceremonies. Greetings came from Bishop Edward R. Benoway from the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and President Gregory S. Walton of the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The invocation was given by Rev. Jeff Moore of Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Troy D. Ehlke of St. John Lutheran Church offered the blessing. The benediction was given by Rev. Philip Vance, host pastor for the event. LSF President and CEO Samuel M. Sipes presented the awards.

Musical entertainment was provided by pianist David Ludwig Jr.

The dinner was sponsored by Lutheran Services Florida and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (Orange and Seminole Chapters).

Special thanks to all those who helped make this event possible, including:

- Members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

- Programs: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and Terri Gotschall, Graphic Designer

- Photographer: Carol Keogh

- Tech Support: Mark Sleeman, Music Director, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

- Centerpieces: Oviedo Florist and Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter

- Good Samaritan Planning Committee: Miryan Andaku, Deaconess Elizabeth Borth, Judy Duda and Darlene Kaiser, with staff coordination by Danielle Kearney, LSF Director of Church and Community Relations

- Chef Scott Dickinson

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 850,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring God’s healing, hope and help to people in need.