2010 ESL Jefferson Award Winner: Reny Ninan

Posted at: 04/02/2010 11:42 AM | Updated at: 04/06/2011 3:06 PM
By: Berkeley Brean | WHEC.com

We all know people who work hard but because they're behind the scenes, they don't get the recognition they deserve.

Reny Ninan usually finds himself answering questions and solving problems behind the scenes.
Now this quiet man is getting the recognition he deserves. “It was quite unexpected and I'm very happy. I'm humbled let me say.”

Since 2004, Ninan volunteered at CAP -- Children Awaiting Parents. It's an organization that pairs older children with adoptive parents. When Ninan showed up their computer system was old -- now it's high tech.

Ninan said, “I think it helps CAP staff be more efficient at what they do which increases the chances of parents finding children and children finding homes which can transform their lives.”

“I feel like I could do summersaults if you can picture that.” Pat Burks -- CAP's associate director -- nominated Ninan for the Jefferson Award. “His analytical mind and knowledge in his field helped us so tremendously that it was like a match made in heaven.”

But Ninan is down to earth. Born in India, he came to the United States for college. For six years, he's volunteered here several days a week, several hours each time. His only regret is that he didn't start sooner. “I think I have some sense of social responsibility and that drove me to volunteer. I think I actually started quite late in life to be honest. I wish I had volunteered years ago.”

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