Goshen News, Goshen, IN

Breaking News

Breaking News

Related Photos

  • Shelly Wilfong, a social studies teacher at Goshen High School and volunteer firefighter with Elkhart Township, will be honored before Sunday's Colts game for her volunteerism and service. SAM HOUSEHOLDER

    121003 Shelly Wilfong 01.jpg
October 4, 2012

Wilfong to be honored by Colts

GHS teacher, volunteer firefighter will be featured during game on Sunday.

By AMANDA GRAY THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — Shelly Wilfong has fought fires and taught Social Studies for about the same amount of time — the past 19 years.

In fact, she didn’t know what career she would go into full-time after college — firefighting or teaching. Luckily, the 1990 Goshen High School graduate came back to her hometown and found a full-time job at GHS and a volunteer position at Elkhart Township Fire Department.

And she will be honored for her work with an “Anthem Angel” recognition at Sunday’s Indianapolis Colts home football game against the Green Bay Packers, according to a press release from the Colts.

“There are thousands of volunteer firefighters in Indiana,” Wilfong said Wednesday. “It feels strange that they picked me. It’s neat. I’m very honored by it, but I know that I’m one of many.”

The “Anthem Angels” program is presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which honors one person every home game for outstanding contributions to a community, according to the release, focusing on honoring “First Respondents” who may normally get little to no recognition for their daily efforts in human service-related professions. Each honoree receives four VIP tickets for the game, as well as a feature story in the Colts gameday magazine and on-field recognition during the game.

Roberta Wilfong, Shelly’s mother, nominated her daughter for the award. She said she saw a man being honored at an earlier Colts game and wondered about the program.

“I looked into it and thought, ‘Shelly fits all of that requirements,’” Roberta said. “She’s very civic-minded.”

For the past several years Shelly has been the director of Goshen High School’s highly regarded International Baccalaureate program.

As for firefighting, Shelly said it’s in her blood; both her father and uncle are firefighters with the Elkhart Township Fire Department, and she loved the “fun and exciting” nature of the work.

“It’s important when I’m talking to students about community service that I practice what I preach,” she said. “Boy, I really love it.”

Shelly, who also has season tickets for the Colts, has been with the same department for 19 years, serving as a captain and now as a lieutenant. She said she gets to “boss her dad around” because she’s an officer.

“I enjoy being able to help people,” she said about her time at the fire department. “Firefighters get called in the most terrible situations and they see people in the most terrible moments of their lives. We’re there to help. If we can help comfort them and make it easier, in any way, that means a lot to me.”

Beyond her volunteerism through the Elkhart Township Fire Department, Shelly also donates eight Colts tickets for patients and family members at Indiana University Proton Radiology in Bloomington, according to Roberta. She’s done this ever since her niece was a patient at the radiology center for treatment for a brain tumor.

“Someone donated tickets to her niece and mom for IU basketball,” Roberta Wilfong said. “That was such a nice gesture, and Shelly donates because it gives them something to do, something that they might not get to do otherwise.”

Roberta Wilfong said she’s very happy Shelly won the award, especially considering all she’s done for others.

“I’m just proud as a peacock,” she said. “Both of my daughters are very successful, and Shelly values her family so much — and she means so much to us.”

Roberta also said that, with this in mind, she wants people to keep Chuck Pagano, the Colts football coach, in mind and prayers. Pagano was recently diagnosed and hospitalized with leukemia.

Text Only
Breaking News
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Poll

Have recent scandals involving the U.S. government altered your opinion of President Obama’s job performance?

Yes, I think less of the president’s job performance
No, my opinions have not been impacted one way or the other
     View Results