Throughout the year an individuals, families and groups volunteer countless hours to a multitude of programs and projects in the greater Yankton community. They bring smiles and joy to lonely people; they mentor our youth through mentoring programs, coaching, tutoring or befriending; our neighbors have nutritious food to eat through The Center at the congregate program or Meals On Wheels and the Sack Pack Program; they knit hats, lap robes and other warm articles; they drive people unable to ride the Transit to appointments or shopping; they rake leaves, mow lawns, wash windows just to name a small portion of the deeds accomplished. They quietly move in and through this community with loving hearts, skilled hands and open pockets.
Every year we acknowledge on a monthly basis people that have made a difference. In 2009 the Volunteers of the Month were Verlin & Sharon Ailts, Sarah Filholm, Linda Schaa, Rich & Jackie Andre, Clothing Closet Volunteers, Mark Nielsen, Ron Galvin Sr., Ethel Goeden, Jake Hoffner, Sylvia Coulson, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion and Auxiliaries, and Marvin & Laurie Lockwood.
At the Community Volunteer Celebration, one of the 2009 monthly awardees will be announced as the Volunteer(s) of the Year. The Celebration is open to all people in the community that volunteer. Mark your calendar, call us at 665-6766 and tell us that you will be attending and join us at the Old Chapel at the Human Services Center on Tuesday, May 4th at 5:00 – 6:00 pm. “Volunteers are the Ingredients of our Success” is the theme with a light lunch served. This event is sponsored by Yankton Volunteer Leaders and United Way & Volunteer Services.
United Way & Volunteer Services has been selecting Volunteers of the Month since September of 1991 – over 17 years – that makes well over 325 people that have been recognized for sharing their time, talents and treasures in this community! Nominations for the Volunteer of the Month Award are always welcome at our office. There are numerous people in this community that share hours of time, talent and skills beyond measure and more than generous treasure that just require someone to share that information with us.
What would Yankton look like if volunteering were not an integral part of our society? It takes a variety of ingredients for a successful batch of cookies. It takes a variety of volunteers to fill all of the niches of volunteer opportunities. Thank goodness that when gathered together in the “mixing bowl” the outcome is beyond measure. Thank you for all that YOU do!