Reprinted with permission by the Tulsa World
07/18/2003
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page D2 of Living

CHILD ABUSE NETWORK honors advocate

DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer

Robert W. Plank, a longtime supporter of the CHILD ABUSE NETWORK, received the organization's annual Distinguished Service Award. He is joined by Ginny Creveling, last year's winner. Photo: STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World

Longtime CHILD ABUSE NETWORK supporter Robert W. Plank received the organization's Distinguished Service Award during a recent meeting and reception honoring donors and volunteers.

The award goes to people who are dedicated to raising money and other community resources to protect victims of child abuse.

In accepting the award, Plank said that he was overwhelmed.

He has been on the CHILD ABUSE NETWORK's Board of Directors since 1999 as vice president of agency relations. He also has been instrumental in determining CAN's strategic direction in Tulsa by providing exceptional leadership making CAN a national model for service to abused children.

Ginny Creveling, executive director for Oneok Foundation and last year's Distinguished Service Award recipient, presented the award. She said Plank "has been one of my heroes who truly works to stop the hurt and begin the healing."

CAN Executive Director Barbara Findeiss and Nancy Hatfield recognized supporters.

Present were CAN Board President Jack Schanck and board chairman David Holden. Also Sue McKee, Jeanne and Don Marlar, Billie Barnett, Nicki and Melissa Arredondo, Tulsa Police Chief Dave Been, Rise Bennett, Beth Bogie, Robyn Brooks, Chuck Buland, Betty Casey, Lisa and Mark Coolidge, Jenny Cross, Andrea Doyle, Linda Godfrey, Scott Green, Sandra Griffin, Rosemary Karjian, Barre Kerr, Carol McGrath, Michael Mockley, Karen Plunkett, Karla Rogers, Mickey Sherman, Valerie Mills Stendebach, Brenda Trekell and Laura Verity.

New officers are Jack Schanck, president; Skip Teel, treasurer; and Dianne Shelton, secretary. Also, Ann Metcalf, Plank, Rick Verity, Karen Rose, Ky Vargas and Mary Ann Skinner, vice presidents; and David Holden chairman and immediate past president.

Continuing as board members are Dr. Lamiaa Ali, Jodie Benner, Dr. Robert W. Block, Scott Bogie, Richard Boone, Danette Boyle, Andrew Brown, Irma Chajecki, Creveling, Sharon Doty, Susan Ellerbach, Shannon Filosa, Tulsa County Sheriff's Capt. George Haralson, Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris, Police Capt. Tim Jones, Tracy Kyle, Pam Langston, Jennifer Marlar Frazee, Michael Pollard, Nancy Posey, Jerry Rothlein and Milannie Siegfried.

Newly elected board members are Greg Burn, Kathleen Page and presidential appointee Sheryl Smith.

The CHILD ABUSE NETWORK was established to provide support and facilities so that several groups could work together to determine abuse and to protect children in crisis. CAN is governed by a board of directors composed of community volunteers and agency representatives of the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, Department of Human Services-Child Welfare, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-Tulsa, Hillcrest Healthcare System, St. Francis Health System, St. John Medical Center and the Junior League of Tulsa.

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