Sallisaw Resident Jasna Recognized for Volunteerism

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL--- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Volunteerism recently recognized a Sallisaw resident at the State Volunteer Awards Ceremony in Oklahoma City at the Langston University-Oklahoma City campus. 

Receiving the Ed Birchall Award for Humanitarian Service was Chad Jasna. The award is named for the late television performer known as HoHo the Clown and recognizes an individual whose personal touch has brought comfort and hope to others. The recognition ceremony honored exceptional individuals and organizations that provide volunteer service whose work has had a significant impact on individuals or a community.
 
Jasna is the program director and featured performer for the Green Country Opry, an annual event that is the lone fundraiser for the Sequoyah County Child Welfare Advisory Board. Proceeds from the Opry are used to take foster children on group outings, defray expenses for school activities, provide Christmas gifts and help support foster parents. This year the show netted $7,500 to support foster care.

Jasna volunteers his time as a youth league baseball and football coach. He also donates his time to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the March of Dimes, the Sallisaw Christmas parade, and Project Elevation, an organization that enhances the lives of citizens.

As an elementary school teacher, Jasna offers his counsel to the Sequoyah County Foster Parent Association about the importance of communication between home and school and was voted Teacher of the Year at Eastside Elementary School in Sallisaw. Jasna is active in the Sallisaw Police Department’s awareness program that discourages students from engaging in drugs, gangs or violence. He is also active in his church as the music minister, youth pastor and children’s music director.

Gov. Brad Henry’s Cabinet Secretary for Human Services, OKDHS Director Howard H. Hendrick, presented the awards and congratulated the honorees.

The theme, Volunteers Create Magic, was displayed throughout the room as each recipient was awarded a trophy and a commendation from the state legislature.  A reception followed the ceremony.

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