NEW OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD
for 2010 PRESENTED MAY 8 AT ANNUAL DINNER
Honored with the NOHS Outstanding Alumni Award for 2010 is a lady who has brought volunteering to a new high. 1970 graduate of New Oxford High School the honoree was a member of the band and chorus all four years of high school at New Oxford. Pat Staub, class of 1951 and recipient of the award in 2009, presented Karen Hoffheins Wire with the alumna award for 2010.
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Karen has been working at the East Berlin Community Center since 1992, after answering an advertisement that asked for volunteers. Since then she's risen to role of administrator, and oversees all the day-to-day functioning of the center, from organizing volunteers to managing the thrift store, to helping in the kitchen. She oversees at least 100 volunteers and all the ways and means of fund raising at the center. In April the center hold a huge yard sale to help with expenses. Every room in the center and also booths on the outside are rented to vendors for this event.
Wire tries to spend at least four days a week at the center. In 2001 the center opened a fitness center which has grown to improve the health and well being of the area's residents.
There is also a senior center offering people age 60 and older a place to go for nutritious meals and social activities. Other adult programs include classes in arts and crafts and master gardening. Many other courses are offered to adults and there are many programs and activities for children, from 3 year old tots to 4 and 5 year olds.
Wire was awarded the Jefferson Award for Adams County in early 2010. Each year United Way and WGAL 8 present six Jefferson Awards to recognize and honor the highest ideals and achievements in the field of public service in the Susquehanna Valley. Founded in 1973 this award was named after Thomas Jefferson for his insight and value of public service and his belief in the importance of giving of yourself to help those in need.
Aside from her busy days at the center, she has played the organ for her church for seventeen years, and directs four choirs which include two vocal choirs, one hand bell choir and she just started to direct a kiddie’s choir for young boys.
She is married to Edward Wire with whom she will celebrate 33 years of marriage in June. Pat Staub said of Wire, "She is a person of many talents and a very giving heart for others. I envy her energy and enthusiastic outlook on life."