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Posted on April 29, 2011 12:12
Community Connections: A Salute To The 2010 Volunteers Of The Month
BY PAM KETTERING
Yankton Area United Way
Published: Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:13 AM CDT
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part seriers highlighting the 2010 Volunteers of the month. The first half ran in the Thursday, April 21 edition of the Press and Dakotan.
Every year we are again extremely grateful and appreciative of the multiple hours, variety of talents, and passion for the services performed by these Volunteers Of The Month. They are the tip of the thousands of citizens in the greater Yankton area that contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by all of us – from the very young to the most experienced. When you see these awarded volunteers as well as others, thank them for all of the great work that they do.
JULY, FERNANDE (NONA) BITSOS shares her love and enthusiasm for life by preparing meals, driving to appointments, doing laundry and much more for Senior Companions clients. Bitsos became a volunteer over twenty-five years ago while living in Colorado. Joining the Peace Corp for two years, she taught basketry and needle work to young children in rural South Africa. Bitsos shares time with nursing home residents showing old movies and sharing her African stuffed toys and tutoring with children. Nona shared, “Volunteer work not only teaches you insight about future challenges, but provides you with more energy in life!”
AUGUST, TOM & JANE GILMORE are tireless volunteers spinning their wheels. It may be bringing wheelchair-using church members to services, driving a livestock trailer and van to the Rosebud Reservation full of furniture or whatever is needed, driving truckloads of supplies to Marty in response to the flooding, or riding their bikes in Minnesota’s Habitat For Humanity 500 fundraising event. The Gilmores load up needed items and travel to the Rosebud Reservation about 15 times each year under the auspices of Tree of Life, an ecumenical relief agency of which Tom is Vice-President. Tom has also made five mission trips to Haiti. Jane has volunteered with Habitat For Humanity since its founding in 1996, including serving on the board. They are also respite care providers through Avera Sacred Heart Hospice, staying with patients while family members and other caregivers get a break. Both welcome the opportunities to “keep thinking and doing.” They see need and try to help, and encourage others to do so, too. Tom said, “Everybody has something to offer, and I think the rewards are greater than the energy expended and the time spent.”
SEPTEMBER, LOY GRAVHOLT has volunteered with Cub and Boy Scouts, Little League, Teener Baseball, Optimist Oratorical Contest, United Methodist Church, and Avera Sacred Heart Hospital – just to name a few. Gravholt has been recognized at many levels for his devotion to teaching, coaching, and young people. He also has established a scholarship, the Loy Gravholt Oral Interp Award, to award a Yankton High School student every year. Having served on the church Pastor Relations Committee, food booth chair at Riverboat Days, leader of an adult Sunday school class and currently chairing the Trustee Committee for the sixth year has involved only some of his volunteer activities. For the last ten years Gravholt has utilized his teaching and listening skills as a Patient Advocate and trainer at the hospital. He says, “You always walk away with a good feeling when you volunteer.”
OCTOBER, PRISCELLA MAZOUREK shares the vast majority of her waking hours volunteering. Thursday Banquet take-home table results from “Cil” picking up unsold bread and repackaging the items as well as filling the take-out requests each week. Seasonal table centerpieces made by Mazourek add color for The Center and she also substitutes for line dancing when needed. Multiple talents are shared at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital when she sends people in the right direction from the information desk or works in the Gift Shop. She especially enjoys making quilts for the preemies or contributes to the hospital craft benefit with her crocheting, counted cross-stitch, canvas work, and sewing. Mazourek and a friend also gather and take a pickup load of clothing and furniture to St. Paul’s Catholic Church at Marty Mission for those in need. The most solitary shared time is when Cil takes a nighttime shift of perpetual adoration at Sacred Heart Church once a week. “I enjoy it!” Cil remarked when talking about her busy volunteer schedule.
NOVEMBER, JOYCE NEWMAN had a thirty year goal of volunteering in a hospital. Her goal was accomplished when she volunteered at the information desk at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. On a weekly basis she listens and directs people to the correct department unless she does not have the answer but then is very prompt to find it. When other volunteers cannot fulfill their time slot, Newman is quick to substitute for them. She loves rummage sales and when asked to assist with Habitat For Humanity’s annual event, she was eagerly raised her hand to lead the group effort. Newman stated, “If you’ve ever thought of volunteering, do it. It’s so rewarding. You just go home with such a good feeling.”
DECEMBER, MARCY BROWN loves December – especially when she puts on her special red dress and hat with the white fringe. When Mrs. Claus bounds into a group of kids at the Elks or Big Friend Little Friend parties or into a circle of residents at a nursing home, she lights everyone up with her smile and twinkle in her eye. After volunteering for the Big Friend Little Friend holiday event she decided to become more involved by becoming a Big Friend. She has had two Little Friends and thoroughly enjoys sharing kid activities with her matches. Brown has been active various church boards and, during Desert Storm, with Charlie Battery’s Family Wellness Program. She is a strong advocate for Avera Sacred Heart Hospice especially with their Roses Just Because fundraiser. Brown just thinks volunteering is “healthy.” Spending time helping others reminds her regularly of how good her life is, and “you make good friends.”
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