Dr. Robert and Amanda Nairn Recognized as Volunteers of the Year

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On April 22, the United Way and Junior League of Norman hosted the 2011 Volunteers of the Year luncheon at Journey Church. This event recognizes volunteers in Norman who are committed to giving back to the community. A faculty member and his wife from the University of Oklahoma College of Engineering, were congratulated for making a difference in their community.

It was a special day for Dr. Robert Nairn and his wife Amanda, as the United Way of Norman recognized them as Volunteers of the Year in the Service to Youth/Education category.

Dr. and Mrs. Nairn’s daughter is a student at Jefferson Elementary School. The couple have spent many hours volunteering at the school working on an outdoor classroom for the students.

The Nairns’ expressed their many thanks to everyone involved and noted that it was a team effort to complete the outdoor classroom. “You don’t do anything like this as an individual,” Bob Nairn said. “This certainly has been a team effort. Not only the folks at Jefferson, but much of the work in the outdoor classroom involves other nonprofits in Norman and students at OU through the Big Event, a tremendous team of folks really made a difference here.”

The couple brings attention to the fact that the outdoor classroom at Jefferson brings the open-air experience to children who might not experience it otherwise.

“It’s not for the notoriety or recognition,” Amanda Nairn shared. “It’s to see the children and get to have that interaction with them. But, it’s also to see them have the benefits of an outdoor classroom; having that open-air space. So many children aren’t fortunate enough to have an outdoor space at home.”

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