News Release
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2009
Hattie Larlham Volunteer Honored
(MANTUA, Ohio)
May 19, 2009 – Hattie Larlham
volunteer Patricia Cole has been selected
as one of Greater Cleveland’s “Most
Treasured Volunteers” by The Center
for Community Solutions. Cole is one of
only six people to be recognized with this
achievement. She received her award earlier
this spring at the 76th annual Human Services
Institute of The Center for Community Solutions
in honor of the work she did during 2008.
Cole’s service
is exceptional not only because she dedicates
more than 100 hours per year to Hattie Larlham,
but because she has Asperger’s syndrome,
which is characterized by autistic-like
behaviors and difficulty in socializing
with strangers. Asperger’s syndrome
is a form of the autism spectrum disorders.
Instead of allowing her condition to hold
her back, Cole makes it a priority to serve
others. In a press release, The Center for
Community Solutions described Cole as a
“wonderful example of how caring people
will not allow their own challenges to keep
them from helping others.” At just
23 years old, she continues to be an inspiration
to those around her.
About Hattie Larlham
Established in 1961,
Hattie Larlham is a Mantua, Ohio, nonprofit
organization that provides services throughout
the state to 1,500 children and adults with
mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
Hattie Larlham was one of the top 99 Northeast
Ohio organizations to work for in 2008.
For more information, visit www.hattielarlham.org.
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 cole.jpg
(331 kb) – Hattie Larlham volunteer
Patricia Cole with her award at the 76th
annual Human Services Institute of The Center
for Community Solutions.
Contact
Bill
Wahl, Communications
and Media Relations
Coordinator
phone: 330.274.2272, ext. 3011
e-mail: bill.wahl@hattielarlham.org
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