Julie Kingsley will be one of six honorees at the Zonta Washington Club’s 33rd Anniversary and Rose Day Celebration Luncheon, set for 1 p.m. June 3 at the Lone Pine Country Club, in Washington, Pa.
Julie Kingsley’s exemplary volunteer work, particularly community service activities focused on cancer prevention, is being noticed.
Kingsley, who has worked at Cal U for more than 30 years, is a clerical supervisor in the Department of University Printing Services. This summer she will receive a Rose Day Award for Volunteerism from the Zonta Club of Washington County.
Kingsley will be one of six honorees at the Zonta Washington Club’s 33rd Anniversary and Rose Day Celebration Luncheon, set for 1 p.m. June 3 at the Lone Pine Country Club, in Washington, Pa.
Founded in 2000, Zonta is an international service organization dedicated to advancing the status of women.
The annual Zonta Rose Day awards honor women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the spheres of business, community service, nonprofit work, education, volunteerism, health services and government.
Kingsley lost her mother, Patty, to colon cancer in 2000.
“At the end of her time with us she did not want us, as she said, wallowing in grief,” Kingsley recalled. “She wanted us to do something good, and (my service in) the years to follow has been in her memory.”
Kingsley initially became involved with South Hills Interfaith Movement. She organized family and friends to crochet more than 250 hats and scarves. She soon began collecting and donating clothing for Goodwill Industries, churches and several school districts through the “Back to School” program.
For many years she has been active with the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days event, with considerable support from Cal U employees.
This spring she is helping to collect gently used bras and camisoles for the Cal U’s women’s studies program “Free the Girls,” an initiative to fight human trafficking.
Her many on-campus activities include serving as a mentor, organizing office food drives for the Cal U Cupboard food pantry, and serving on the President’s Commission for the Status of Women.
“Working at Cal U has helped to educate me about diversity and be very accepting of people,” Kingsley said. “I can make a difference by doing one small gesture at a time. I am finding my voice – not only for myself, but for others, by leading by example.”
Kingsley is a two-time Cal U Women’s Center WOW (Women on Wednesday) recipient, an honor that recognizes the work of women on campus who share a commitment to service and social justice issues.
“If you thought about who on this campus deserves recognition for the work they do above and beyond, Julie is the first person who comes to mind,” said Nancy Skobel, associate dean for Student Affairs and director of the Cal U Women’s Center.
“It is amazing, even shocking, how much unsung work she does day in and day out to support and empower women.”
Kingsley and her sister, Judy Lupori, design and make key wristlets and fobs, with proceeds benefiting Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk. Kingsley joined that walk’s planning committee in 2013 and for four years held a “Kingsley Family Walk” at California’s Rotary Park to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Since 2012 her team has participated in the Peters Township Relay for Life, raising more than $13,000. She also participates in Friends of the Jefferson Hills Library events.
Sara Schumacher and Melissa Marion, who are the vice president and director of fund development, respectively, at Monongahela Valley Hospital, nominated Kingsley for the Rose Day Award. They first met her when planning for the Ducoeur walk in 2013.
Schumacher praised Kingsley for her work on behalf of the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
“Julie is a special person … whom we are proud to have as a volunteer at Monongahela Valley Hospital,” Schumacher said. “We are grateful for her dedication and commitment. … She is making an impact on the lives of our patients through her efforts.”
Cheryl Hopper, co-chair of Zonta Club of Washington County, said the organization takes the awards and selection process very seriously.
“Julie’s information stood out and was very impressive,” she said. “The fact that Mon Valley Hospital nominated someone who does not work for them shows the impact Julie has made.”
Those interested in attending the luncheon must register by May 23; contact Hopper at 724-747-0220 or email worldhopperchery@aol.com. Cost is $40.