Packers present grants to Green Bay organizations $12,000 awarded to Big Brothers/Big Sisters By Anna Krejci News-Chronicle The Community Quarterback Award recipient and four finalists walked out of the Lambeau Field Atrium Wednesday with checks they will take back to the nonprofit organizations they serve. The award program, sponsored by the National Football League and PARADE magazine, received 200 nominations for the area. Wednesday's five finalists each received $2,000 for their organization. The award program's grant recipients were chosen based on their leadership and dedication to improving the community, according to Cathy Dworak, Packers manager of community relations. The winner, John Wirch, received an additional $10,000 award on behalf of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeastern Wisconsin, 1345 W. Mason St.. He is board president, and has held a volunteer position on the organization's board for six years. According to Ellen Evenson, program services director, Wirch contributed his professional human resource experience to help build the organization's staff of 13. He also assisted the organization in its second search in 32 years for a new executive director. "John was a real support to the management team in a transitional time," Evenson said. "My proudest part, or role that I played was encouraging the hiring of really great staff," Wirch said. Big Brothers/Big Sisters will use the money for publicity to recruit adult mentors and to match mentors with youth. Wirch is one of 32 finalists eligible for the national Community Quarterback Award. The national winner, to be announced in Parade Magazine's Super Bowl Sunday copy, receives a $25,000 grant on behalf of his/her charity. Among the award program's finalists was Bill Barcome, a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1529 Leo Frigo Way, in Green Bay. The religious organization raises money to aid individuals in paying rent, utilities or medical bills. "He has such compassion for people," said St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer president John Finco. Barcome is always willing to help, no matter what the task, he said. "He donates time just sorting things." "Bill is more than typical of a volunteer," he said. Other finalists receiving a $2,000 grant for their organization include: Tony Chakonas, Camp Heartland Project, Inc., Milwaukee; Joe Covelli, River Falls First Responders; Nancy Kindt, Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, Milwaukee. - As the Packers presented grants to the Community Quarterback Award recipients, they announced the grant recipients of the Green Bay Packers Junior Stars program in a news release Tuesday. Ten organizations or schools that encourage Brown County children under the age of 19 to donate time and work to the community received grants of $500. The recipients are: Washington Middle School Shoveling Snow for the Elderly Project St. Thomas More School Student Council Forest Glen Elementary School's "Timbertail Trackers" Jackson School Service Stars Brown County Youth Service Board of the Volunteer Center Inc. of Brown County Denmark Elementary Nature Center Committee Mrs. Wautlet's 3rd-grade class at Heritage Elementary Ashwaubenon High School Art Club Learning to Grow of Chappell Elementary School Weblos/Den of Cub Scout Pack 4167, Meadowbrook Elementary School Community service projects performed by the 10 organizations included volunteering at the Family Violence Center, Freedom House and Meals on Wheels, installing split-rail fencing, planting gardens and doing art projects with Woodside Manor residents.