Community Spirit: Three Old Orchard Beach residents receive award

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Part of what makes a community great is the people who live there. A few of those who have stepped up and given their time to help serve the town have been recognized for their efforts.

Residents Holly Korda, Demi Kulacz and Stephanie Moutsatsos were presented last week with the Spirit of America Foundation award.

The Spirit of America Foundation is a non-profit established in 1990 to honor volunteerism. The annual Spirit of America Foundation awards are presented in conjunction with Maine municipalities and school districts to honor local individuals, projects or organizations for their community service.

Korda is the development team leader for the Old Orchard Beach Community Friendly Connection. Korda’s professional background includes working in healthcare and social sectors and developing, directing, managing and evaluating multi-sectoral innovation initiatives and program portfolios to improve access and outcomes in the health sector, according to written information from the town. She is also experienced in organizational infrastructure development, delivery innovations for special populations, management capacity development and program assessment.

Since joining the OOB Community Friendly Connection, Korda has “tirelessly used her expertise to sharpen its focus in ways that has made the group more proficient,” according to town officials.

Kulacz remembers to this day the many neighbors and friend who volunteered to help after she contracted polio at the age of three and had to undergo rigorous physical therapy for many years, according to written information from the town.

Kulacz has served on many town groups and volunteered for many organizations. She served on the Museum in the Streets Committee and The Ballpark Commission and is currently on the board of The Community Watch Council and is a member of the OOB Community Friendly Connection. She has volunteered at the Ironman Triathlon, New England Parkinson’s Ride and the Lobster Dip.

“Demi’s work and accomplishments are many, but she is best known and respected as a loyal and good friend,” according to town officials.

Moutsatsos is an educational technician at Old Orchard Beach High School, where she has also served as the yearbook advisor, Interact advisor, prom advisor, and co-chairwoman of the senior internship program, according to information from the town.  She also works with Jameson School staff to coordinate the high school mentoring program and serves as the social events coordinator for RSU 23.

 She has also worked in various positions for the parks and recreation department and is currently the special events coordinator. “She is the hallmark of true compassion and strength,” according to town officials.

Moutsatsos has volunteered with Friends of The Ballpark, the Southern Maine Democrats and the OOB Community Friendly Connection.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].