ACS was pleased to recognize and honor the recipients of the 2019 Servant’s Heart Awards during the Legacy Gala program on March 29. The awardees were — ACS school parents Steve and Krisann Breunig, ACS grandparent Rudy Dalinger, and ACS school parent Polly Ellison. Board of Directors’ Chair Doug Pearson presented a plaque to each recipient during the program. The award, established in 2002, recognizes the valuable service of individuals and businesses that have provided their time, talents, and expertise to advance the mission of Atlantic Christian School.
As he presented the plaque to Steve and Krisann Breunig, Pearson praised them for serving in a variety of ways over the past 20 years — on the Parent Teacher Fellowship, on Board committees, leading Bible studies, and coaching middle school basketball, to name a few. Three of their four children — Sterling, Kaylee, and Elliot — are now ACS alumni and their youngest son, Spencer, will graduate in June. “You have quietly served behind the scenes, leading by example, and thus encouraged others to serve,” Pearson said.
Pearson thanked ACS grandparent Rudy Dalinger for his valuable service since 1998, when his granddaughter Ashleigh Ayres started at ACS in kindergarten. An avid golfer, Dalinger participated in every ACS Golf Marathon and tournament and volunteered on the Legacy Gala Committee for the past six years, thereby helping raise thousands of dollars for the ACS Annual Fund. He also served for six years on the Board of Directors and held the position of Vice Chair. His grandson, Rudy, will graduate this June.
Pearson said ACS parent Polly Ellison was deserving of the award because she epitomizes what it means to demonstrate “joy in serving.” Polly and husband, Tom, enrolled their son, Tommy, in kindergarten in 2011, and since that time she has been a constant volunteer — at school special events, for Parent Teacher Fellowship fundraisers and monthly teacher/staff lunches, and cheering and supporting our athletic teams. “Polly has a special talent for building relationships with new parents and has encouraged many of them to serve at ACS as well,” Pearson said.