Lynne Cain, August Volunteer of the Month, has been helping others since she was four years old! She remembers her "special job" volunteering at her mother's side. When her mother would go door to door receiving donations for the American Red Cross, Lynne would give the donors the metal lapel pins. Her passion for helping others continues to grow.

Being an advocate for persons with disabilities, Cain assisted in developing HAPY - Handicapped Advocacy Program of Yankton. She has served in leadership roles on their Board of Directors. Besides connecting citizens with this advocacy program, she frequently is part of disability education by working one of the Kids On The Block puppets.

Cain is a member of the Regional Mental Wellness Conference Planning Committee that is held in Yankton in June. She also serves on statewide groups - Independent Living Counsel, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month Committee, and Anti-Stigma Committee.

During March, Lynne transforms into a Leprechaun with other American Auxiliary members to raise money for Special Olympics. She is very enthusiastic about Thons - Bike-athons, Bowl-athons, Walk-athons - you name it, she has been in the thick of the activity.

Lynne Cain is helping neighbors, taking food to celebrations, helping with a picnic for the Yankton Area Adjustment Training Center clients after the Riverboat Parade and assisting with Lewis & Clark Playhouse productions.

Before moving to the Yankton area, Cain was a VISTA Volunteer in Custer developing several Citizen Advocacy Programs throughout the state. The program's objective was to develop one-to-one peer support between persons with developmental disabilities in the community using community resources. That was over 20 years ago.

"If the activity builds community and helps people, I like to do it," quoted August Volunteer of the Month, Lynne Cain. She is a true advocate for persons with disabilities and works hard to fight stigma that faces persons with disabilities and mental illness. Her determination, leadership and volunteerism have made a difference in many lives - children and adult, disabled and non-disabled.