"Michael has given over 1,000 hours of his time to COSI - Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio. His volunteer efforts have not only saved COSI over $8,100 but they have also resulted in over $2,000 of donations through a sponsorship program which Michael himself created. Michael’s experiences should and have inspired other youth to challenge themselves to think creatively about how they can use their unique skill set and network to serve their community. In his time at COSI Michael has worked in several of our teaching-focused areas. In his main role at COSI, Michael’s job duties include assisting with COSI’s various programming to help deliver science content in an interactive and exciting way, and assisting other facilitators during their presentations. Michael has been a Camp-In intern for several years and in this role he trains and supervises new volunteers on COSI procedures and science content. This is an exceptionally challenging leadership role and the volunteers in this role typically spend 20 hours per Camp-In weekend at COSI. Michael first served as a Camp-In intern three seasons ago. When the expectations of the interns significantly increased and the position became highly competitive, Michael worked year round to prepare himself for the increased responsibility. He volunteered for many different workshops and arrived several hours early for each Camp-In to assist with volunteer training and workshop preparation. Though he did not officially have the title during one season, Michael arrived at each Camp-In ready to help with anything we asked. By the end of the season he performed every task that the other interns performed. His confidence, knowledge of programs, writing, and communication with the team had all improved substantially. Michael has always actively assisted in workshops and been a pleasure to have on the team, but over the past two years he has worked tirelessly to learn everything possible about Camp-Ins while balancing a busy school and band schedule. Michael has made himself an irreplaceable part of our team. He can be trusted with any volunteer or paid team member task. He is consistently determined, reliable, personable, and humble. His assistance allows us to reduce the number of paid team members utilized in volunteer training and workshop preparation. It allows us to increase the number of volunteers that we train on a given weekend and it increases the quality of the Camp-In experience for dozens of COSI team members and hundreds of campers each weekend. The efforts previously described already go far above and beyond what COSI asks of its volunteers. However, these achievements make up only part of Michael’s contributions to COSI. While doing all of this, Michael also developed a Volunteer Sponsorship Program which would allow volunteers to raise funds for COSI while developing confidence and taking on a leadership role in our organization. This innovative program has earned Michael our Gold STAR award and it is now a staple in our volunteer program. It is an extraordinary effort that demonstrates an above average understanding of COSI’s needs as a non-profit organization. Michael has displayed a dedication to seeing COSI’s programming and volunteers succeed and he has taken the initiative to make his own volunteer experience especially meaningful. He is an individual who achieves the goals that he sets for himself and inspires and motivates others while doing so."

"Michael is truly one of our most outstanding volunteers. He created a one of a kind sponsorship program to maximize his volunteer efforts. Not only has he given over 1,000 hours of service, he's turned those hours into donations by soliciting the support of his family and friends to raise money for COSI. Michael turned his sponsorship efforts into a program that other volunteers can utilize to raise money for COSI too. Michael is a valuable part of the COSI team and we know that he will be successful no matter what he pursues in life."

"My daughter Amanda recruited Michael to work at COSI when he was in 5th grade. Since then Michael has volunteered over 1000 hours in addition to his other volunteer activities. He has earned his white & green star on the COSI career ladder. Michael also earned the gold star for creating the COSI volunteer hours sponsorship program. I have been a sponsor of him for the past two years. With this program he has earned COSI $3300.00 plus. I feel Michael is extraordinary fine young man who is a stellar example of our younger generation."

"Michael is an inspiration to the entire COSI team. I was his supervisor from October 2008 - August 2011 and he was always a joy to work with. He brought energy and enthusiasm to everything he did at COSI, whether he was in his leadership role as a Camp-In Intern or as a presenter doing science activities in the hallways. Michael was always someone I could depend on to be a role model and provide a great experience for our guests. He is driven, talented, and a joy to work with."

"Michael is extremely good at interacting with guests on all levels at COSI. He is very good and teaching science to kids and adults of all ages. His energy and enthusiasm are amazing. Michael shows a high level of maturity with everything he does. I have always been able to count on Michael. :)"

"Michale was a fantastic asset to the entire COSI Team and a great resource for COSI Guests. I am proud to have worked alongside Michael during his time here at COSI."

"I am Kendra Petrill, Volunteer Coordinator of Gracehaven, an organization that provides a safe home, hope and healing for girls who have been forced into commercial sexual and slavery exploitation. I’m writing this letter of recommendation for Michael Reasoner, as I have been extremely impressed by his dedication on helping Gracehaven’s cause with what hopefully will become an annual event to benefit the Gracehaven house. Michael has been an avid volunteer with numerous organizations since he was twelve years old. Michael was introduced to our organization by his parents who told him everything about it after a wine tasting benefit evening organized by Gracehaven and some family friends. When Michael heard about the problem that existed in Ohio regarding young girls forced into sexual exploitation, he decided he needed to do something about it. Michael decided he would raise funds for our organization as he has done for other organizations in the past. Michael decided to put together a garage sale at his home. He started by putting together a flyer which described the cause, conditions, date, location and asking for saleable item donations for the garage sale. Michael recruited his dad, so he could answer the phone while Michael was at school. Michael also asked for much needed donation for the garage sale by distributing flyers door to door. He even went to the Clintonville Farmers market one Saturday with his girlfriend to pass out the flyers. Once donations started coming, he and his dad received, picked some of them up, and then organized them in his parents’ garage. Michael also recruited some of his high school friends to come the day of the sale and help him. After the sale was over and with the help of his dad, he took all the leftover donations to the local Goodwill store. Michael’s first garage sale brought over $800 that we will use towards opening the first Ohio safe house for our help of protecting and cushioning the treatment of these young girls. I can only imagine how such a young man has the inspiration and desire to step out of his comfort zone, and do something totally unselfish just for the satisfaction of helping a big cause. Michael is planning on running the garage sale again next year. This will be one of his legacies now that he will be going to college in the Fall of 2012. I am just glad I was able to support his initiative and I am thrilled to have him as part of the growing Gracehaven effort."

"I was responsible for overseeing several committees one of which was On Course Services which is where Michael volunteer. Michael volunteer about 40 hours each year. He was responsible for stocking water and snacks on the course for players, clearing away trash, and delivering food to the volunteers working on the golf course. Michael was a very reliable and hard working volunteer. We would love to have him back to help with future tournaments."