The Volunteer Center Announces "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" Award Recipients

• Click here to view our PHOTO GALLERY of this event!
• United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center is proud to announce the recipients of the 2009 Outstanding Volunteer Awards.  However, all of the 41 nominees are real winners!
• The award recipients were announced during the 19th Annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast this morning at the Hotel Mead and Conference Center in Wisconsin Rapids.  They were selected by an independent award selection committee.  Each nominee received special recognition during the breakfast.  The event was sponsored by the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune through a Gannett Foundation grant.
• The program will air on River Cities Community access on April 20, 2010 at 11:30am; April 21, 2010 at 7:30pm; and April 24, 2010 at 11:ooam. 
• Youth Individual:  Matthew Stoltz: Matthew is a very active volunteer in the Wisconsin Rapids community.  Last year he put in over 350 hours at the Boys and Girls Club doing many different activities with the children; including helping them with their homework and playing games.  Matthew also completed his Eagle Scout Project where he built benches and painted a fence and a garage for Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church.  Matthew volunteers his time in a variety of ways and to many different organizations, trying to make a difference in the lives of those in this community!
• Youth Group:  West Junior High School FACT (Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco):  The West Junior High FACT Group is a state wide youth-led movement.  West Junior High has a very active group and played an instrumental role in helping Wisconsin become smoke free.  Their efforts included a community wide survey and supper, along with three members testifying in front of the Joint Finance Committee.
• Adult Individual:  Jerry Fitzsimmons:  Jerry has been volunteering for Villa Pines Living Center since he was a resident there in August 2008.  Jerry not only helps out during activities, but comes early to clean up after dinner, sets up the activity and assists residents to and from their rooms so they can participate in the activity.  Jerry donates much of his time to the residents that he loves!  Jerry goes above and beyond, at one point noticing the need for wood chips in the flower beds and taking it upon himself to haul in and fill the area with wood chips. 
• Adult Group:  Career Closet:  The Career Closet runs solely on volunteer efforts.  The Career Closet has committed to providing free, quality, used clothing for individuals to wear on job interviews or to new jobs.  Volunteers help to organize donations, raise funds and staff the Career Closet so individuals can use the service free of charge. 
• For a listing of ALL of the 41 nominees, read below...

The Volunteer Center Announces "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" Nominees

• 11 Individual Youth
• Elijah Jinsky:  Elijah is a student at East Junior High School in Wisconsin Rapids.  During the holiday season Elijah volunteers as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.  Elijah makes the most of his time bell ringing by sharing the holiday spirit in all kinds of weather and always with a smile!
• Shayna Sparks:  Shayna volunteers her summers at the YMCA Camp Alexander where she is a ‘Leader in Training’.  Shayna enjoys spending time with the children at camp; canoeing, playing games or just being a good example.  Shayna loves to see the smile on the children’s faces as they enjoy their week at camp!
• Matthew Stoltz: Matthew is a very active volunteer in the Wisconsin Rapids community.  Last year he put in over 350 hours at the Boys and Girls Club doing many different activities with the children; including helping them with their homework and playing games.  Matthew also completed his Eagle Scout Project where he built benches and painted a fence and a garage for Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church.  Matthew volunteers his time in a variety of ways and to many different organizations, trying to make a difference in the lives of those in this community!
• Alexander Schenk:  Alexander is a junior at Lincoln High School and finds time to volunteer in a variety of ways.  Alexander regularly volunteers for River Cities Community Access, where he videotapes many different community events, so those at home can enjoy them.  Last year Alexander donated approximately 150 hours of his time to this organization; videotaping ski shows, school sporting events and concerts in the area.  Alexander takes his work seriously and is always trying to improve on his techniques.
• Sarah Jane Wick:  Sarah spends her summers as a ‘Leader in Training’ at the YMCA Camp Alexander where she enjoys leading the campers in their day to day activities. Sarah has used her time at camp as a learning experience and feels it is important to make an impact on your community, and she is doing that one camper at a time!
• Katharine Molinarolo:  Katharine enjoys volunteering her time with a variety of organizations in the community.  Katharine participates in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), at Lincoln High School and has enjoyed teaching ‘Parliamentary Procedures’ to different adult groups.  Katharine volunteers her time with the Girl Scouts and also plays with various orchestral organizations, including the Mariachi Band.  Katharine participates with the National Honor Society in several volunteer opportunities as well; including bell ringing and highway clean up. 
• Jordan Becker:  Jordan actively volunteers her time for the Aqua Skiers Show Team.  She is a board member and organizes many team events, including their Christmas Party and a Polar Plunge Jump for Special Olympics!  Jordan also serves as a Board Member for ‘Promote’, (Teens for Sobriety Group) where she helps plan activities such as Red Ribbon Week at her school. 
• Dalton Hess:  Dalton is a junior at Lincoln High School and has enjoyed volunteering in a variety of settings.  This summer Dalton traveled with a group from his church to New Orleans where he helped develop ideas on how to create safer communities.  Dalton has volunteered at the Neighborhood Table and this summer participated in the Summer Cub Scout Jamboree.  Dalton proudly shared with his group of Cub Scouts life skills, such as first aid, cooking and personal fitness. 
• Savanna Dahl:  Savanna is a dedicated volunteer with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area (CWGCA).    She has donated much of her time with CWGCA to helping with the Prairie Chicken Festival, where she helps put together the promotional mailings and flyers and registers visitors.  With the WDNR Savanna spends time collecting data on deer and monitors the Greater Prairie Chicken and other migratory song birds.
• Haley McKenya Biolo:  Haley is a ninth grader at East Junior High School.  Haley is a Peer Ambassador at EJHS and helped plan a number of events with that group; including Red Ribbon Week ( a program to deter students from drinking and driving), and Spirit Week (a week of school spirit building at East Junior High).  Haley also served on the Day of Caring Youth Advisory Committee and enjoys helping the young dancers at Dance with Pam.
• Linsey Feit:  Linsey is a ninth grader at West Junior High School and belongs to the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Club there.  With FBLA, Linsey has volunteered time ringing bells for the Salvation Army and holding a penny war to raise money for the March of Dimes.  Linsey spent her summer volunteering at the YMCA Camp Alexander where she helped with water safety, games and many other tasks.  Linsey also helped make and sell cookies for the Cookies for Kids Program in which the freshman class helped raise money to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children in the Wisconsin Rapids area!
• 4 Youth Group
• Lincoln High School Student Council:  The Lincoln High School Student Council volunteers for many community events, including Stuff the Bus, Community Care Day, Neighborhood Table and Community Candles.  The Student Council also helps organize and create decorations for dances at their school.  This past year LHS Student Council helped promote school health awareness with paying for and helping install automatic hand sanitizers throughout the school.  Student Council is also currently helping in the promotion of enhancing seatbelt use among teens.
• Teen Fireworks Committee:  Members of the Teen Fireworks Committee volunteer their time and efforts to helping support the annual Fourth of July fireworks in our community.  Students from area high schools come together to fundraise for this great event, and while doing so, create a community wide patriotic spirit. 
• FACT Group (Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco):  The West Junior High FACT Group is a state wide youth-led movement.  West Junior High has a very active group and played an instrumental role in helping Wisconsin become smoke free.  Their efforts included a community wide survey and supper, along with three members testifying in front of the Joint Finance Committee.
• Community Transition Program:  The Lincoln High School Community Transition Program spends every Thursday afternoon at the Acorn Apartment Complex. Their time is spent playing games and doing various other activities with the tenants.  The Acorn Apartments has 14 Developmentally Disabled adult tenants who have come to look forward to their afternoons spent with this group from Lincoln High School.
• 20 Individual Adult
• Leata Anderson:  Leata devotes her time to the students at Grove Elementary School.  Leata can be found weekly reading with the student’s one on one.  The time she spends re-reading with them is invaluable to promote fluency and comprehension.  The students Leata works with show growth and confidence in their reading skills. 
• Gordon Harmon:  Gordon is very active in this community, volunteering his time in a variety of ways.  Gordon devotes much of his time to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); driving veterans to hospital appointments, serving as the Honor Guard Commander and helping with the Valentine’s Day Dinner at the VFW.  Gordon also is involved with the American Cancer Society and initiated a fundraiser where name flags are sold and collection cans are placed in local businesses. 
• Lois Jenkin:  Lois is an active volunteer at Grove Elementary School and can be found in the halls almost daily.  Lois can be counted on to help the children with reading or to hang decorations at the school.  Lois is always enthusiastic in her help and will fill in wherever needed.
• Kyle Ruud:  Kyle volunteers a significant amount of time every week to The Personal Essentials Pantry, located in St. John’s Episcopal Church.  Kyle does much of the shopping and helps with the day to day running and organization of the pantry.  Kyle’s caring and hard working attitude are appreciated by all at The Personal Essential’s Pantry. 
• Donna Kickland:  Donna gives of herself and her time through the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes.  Donna has served in a variety of positions with the Girl Scouts, including Troop Leader, Special Event Volunteer and Service Area Membership Registrar.  Donna helps the future generation of girls develop leadership skills through her efforts.
• Jean Fritz:  Jean has put a great amount of time and effort into being the writing class instructor at the Lowell Center.  Jean recognizes the importance of getting seniors to record their stories and life events for future generations and has devoted much time to helping others in this endeavor.    Through her dedication two books have been published and many countless stories told.
• Dale Bikowski:  Dale is an active volunteer in several non-profit organizations in our community.  Dale uses his skills in bookkeeping being the treasurer for the Neighborhood Table, United Way of Inner Wisconsin and Building Blocks Learning Center.  Dale also pitches in wherever his help is needed for the Thursday evening dinners at Neighborhood Table; doing the laundry, mashing potatoes and operating the dishwasher.
• Charles Weiss:  Chuck is the volunteer store manager for the local Bethesda Thrift Shop.  Chuck uses his time pricing and organizing items, and scheduling all the volunteers to work.  Chuck is in charge of the daily, weekly and monthly reporting and makes sure the store is always clean and a pleasant place to shop. 
• Tom Anderson:  Tom played an active part in getting the Firefighters Memorial right here in Wisconsin Rapids.  Tom served on the board and is currently president, working to procure funds and making sure every detail is well thought out.  Tom also volunteered for the physical aspects of the effort; including setting concrete, landscaping and digging trenches. 
• Lois Anderson:  Lois is an advocate for health, wellness and nutrition; educating people in the importance of increasing raw fruits and vegetables in their diet.  Lois volunteers her time, mileage and materials to make monthly raw food potluck dinners in four locations happen.  Lois also coordinates monthly food co-op ordering for area residents who want to save money.
• Darlene Schierland:  Darlene volunteers her time in a quiet way, helping those around her who are in need of help for a variety of reasons.  Darlene drives individuals who are unable to drive to appointments or to get groceries.  Darlene assists with the monthly potluck dinners at McMillan Library
• Virginia Steen:  Ginny serves as the current president for The Neighborhood Table.  Ginny was essential in the start up of The Neighborhood Table and is the driving force that keeps it all going.  She spends countless hours organizing sponsors, taking carry-out dinner orders and driving to Omro for food pick-up. 
• Barb Duxstad:  Barb has been instrumental in the development of the Ministry Home Care Memory Bear Program; this program puts one memory bear in the hands of every patient receiving hospice services.   Barb takes the orders, schedules volunteers and delivers the bears.  Barb also is involved with other organizations on a volunteer level; including Romemakers HCE and as an organizer for the town of Rome’s ‘Paddle for a Cure’. 
• Paul Pisellini:  Paul currently serves as the president of the Rome Seniors Club and makes improving the lives of seniors his priority.  Paul began a gathering time for Rome area seniors called the ‘Rome Coffee Klatch’.  Paul was also instrumental in bringing the senior lunch program back to the Rome area, attending meetings and now serving the lunch for seniors. 
• Vergie Quimby:  Vergie spends countless hours volunteering her time and efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association.  Her involvement has varied from scheduling bake and BBQ sales, walking in parades passing out flyers and organizing a rummage sale. Vergie’s efforts are all to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and to help the people in Adams County affected by Alzheimer’s. 
• Ron Harris:  Ron serves as a board member of Historic Pointe Basse.  He works tirelessly searching for both historic and prehistoric features on the Point Basse site and surrounding area.  He contacts various organizations, such as the State Historical Society, to see if site identification and registration can be made.  Ron is passionate about preserving these sites for future generations. 
• LaVern and Delores Becker:  LaVern and Delores work together to volunteer for River Cities Community Access.  This team can be seen taping activities, such as concerts, football games and more, so others can enjoy them at home.  The pair can be counted on with short notice and continually do a great job!  LaVern also enjoys playing CD’s for his polka show on River Cities Community Access. 
• Jerry Fitzsimmons:  Jerry has been volunteering for Villa Pines Living Center since he was a resident there in August 2008.  Jerry not only helps out during activities, but comes early to clean up after dinner, sets up the activity and assists residents to and from their rooms so they can participate in the activity.  Jerry donates much of his time to the residents that he loves!  Jerry goes above and beyond, at one point noticing the need for wood chips in the flower beds and taking it upon himself to haul in and fill the area with wood chips. 
• Ilene Keller:  Ilene was the driving force in establishing the Rapids Oxford House here in Wisconsin Rapids.  The Rapids Oxford House serves men who are in search of a safe and sober place to live.  Ilene spent much of her time planning and implementing this needed service in our community.  Ilene can be seen collecting donations and sharing her passion for this worthwhile cause. 
• Barb Crowther:  Barb created the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) program at Woodside Elementary School where she utilizes her three therapy dogs to encourage reluctant readers.  Barb motivates the students and makes learning fun with the use of her three Portuguese Water Dogs.  Barb also took time to learn about the LEGO program and works with students on programming and building.  Barb can also be seen volunteering at the school in a variety of other ways!
• 6 Adult Group
• Association for All Handicap Citizens:  The Association for All Handicap Citizens provides entertainment for all special needs people throughout Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding areas.  The group puts on monthly dances with refreshments and has a 4-H group that meets monthly and does crafts together. 
• AARP Tax-Aide Program:  The AARP Tax Aide Program Volunteers spend countless hours studying, training and testing to qualify to prepare income taxes free for low and middle income people in the Wisconsin Rapids Area.  There are 28 individuals from various backgrounds that come together to provide this much needed service. 
• Love Lights- Riverview Hospital Auxiliary:  Love Lights is a commemorative celebration of life where the community is invited to honor loved ones lost.  All funds raised go to the UW Cancer Center Riverview.  The committee puts on a Love Lights Ceremony where the trees are lit and homemade cookies are enjoyed.  Additionally local fourth graders read essays entitled ‘What America Means to Me’.
• Career Closet:  The Career Closet runs solely on volunteer efforts.  The Career Closet has committed to providing free, quality, used clothing for individuals to wear on job interviews or to new jobs.  Volunteers help to organize donations, raise funds and staff the Career Closet so individuals can use the service free of charge. 
• Ministry Hospice Memory Bear Program:  The Ministry Home Care Hospice Memory Bear Program volunteers work together to create a memory bear from loved one’s clothing and possessions for those left behind to cherish.  The group meets once a month creating a unique and special bear for those in hospice care to leave their loved ones with. 
• Mead Parents Teachers Committee:  The Mead Parent Teachers Committee (PTC) helps to enhance the learning and well being of students at Mead Elementary, while supporting the teachers.  The Mead PTC helps organize and carry out the school carnival, fundraisers, field trips and educational programs.  The PTC works hard to promote parental involvement at the school.

Matthew Stoltz Acceptance Speech

• Unfortunatly, the recipient of our Outstanding Youth Volunteer couldn't make it to our Breakfast and his parents accpeted the award on his behalf. Many of you enjoyed the acceptance speech he wrote. Per YOUR request, here is a copy of his speech!
• "I have so many individuals to thank, from the Lincoln High School Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Zirnhelt, who arranged the majority of my opportunities to volunteer, to the Boys and Girls Club who granted me the privilege to volunteer for them.  It means quite a bit to me to earn this award.  Throughout this past year of volunteering, I have given an abundance of my time and skills to various organizations, but what I received in return greatly supersedes what I have given:  from the indescribable feeling of putting a smile on a child’s face, to meeting many people from this great community…Each individual has touched my life tremendously.  The feeling that occurs deep within me when volunteering is irreplaceable, and will remain with me through my life.  It has truly been a great privilege to volunteer my time to this community.  Yet do not forget, I am not the only individual who has aided this community through volunteer efforts.  Hundreds of individuals graciously donate their time because they care about helping others, and about this community.  I commend the efforts of all these volunteers, because together we change not only our community, but rather the world.  I thank this community, especially the United Way Volunteer Center, for giving an individual like me the chance to learn, grow, and help others through volunteering."
              ~Matthew Stoltz