Volunteer Spotlight: Joe Miracle

Joe Miracle, member of Boy Scout Troop 365 proposed a method to acquire content from individuals in the community for Worthington Memory and organized the launch of Worthington Memory's call to the community as a service project to advance to the level of Eagle Scout. He received an Eagle Court Honor for his service project on Sunday, August 14, 2005.

Joe volunteered for Worthington Libraries during the summer of 2003, helping to digitize historic photographs and documents belonging to community organizations for Worthington Memory. He recognized the potential to enhance the content of the web site by asking individuals in the community to share items from their personal scrapbooks and attics. He planned, coordinated, and held four very successful Worthington Memory "drop off days" in April 2004, inviting the people of Worthington to bring their own personal history treasures to the Library to be scanned and included in Worthington Memory. The drive resulted in 122 items, about 600 images total being added to the site.

To thank him for his significant contribution to Worthington Memory, the Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees presented Joe Miracle with a special resolution at their board meeting on Monday, August 15, 2005.

Below is a small sample of some of the collections that were added to Worthington Memory thanks to Joe's efforts. Joe's Eagle Scout project report appears at the bottom of this exhibit.

  • The Snouffer family is pictured at an early home (ca. 1895). The family owned tracks of land in the area of west Sharon Township and east Perry Township.
  • Experiences of a Worthington High School senior in the 1940-1941 school year are recorded in this handmade diary. Padi Goerke, a varsity cheerleader, describes the first day of her senior year.
  • Members of Worthington Boy Scout Troop 65 served as Civilian Defense Messengers during World War II. This is the messenger identification card of Sam Harsh, member of Troop 65. The Worthington scouts were the first in Franklin County to be awarded the position of Civil Defense Messengers, following 19 weeks of training at troop meetings and a basic Civilian Defense course at Memorial Hall.
  • The 1944 Worthington - Hilliard football game was Hilliard's homecoming. The cover of this program is signed by Ohio State University football heroes, Gordon Appleby (OSU team Captain) and Ollie Cline (1945 All American) who attended the game.
  • The starting twelve for Worthington High School's football team in the fall of 1945 is pictured. The team's season was the most successful since 1938.
  • George Blake was for awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against the enemy on 9 December 1944. His Silver Star Medal citation describes his courageous actions in battle. He served in the 761st Tank Battalion, which was the first African American tank unit of the United States Army.
  • Joe compiled this report documenting his Eagle Scout service project. It contains a narrative description, photographs of the drop-off days, and supporting documentation.