Taking care of people is a passion for Peggy Schiedel. United Way & Volunteer Services recognize her dedication through the February Volunteer of the Month Award. Her concern for the homeless brought her to the planning table for the Yankton Homeless Shelter. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors for that agency. Family and woman abuse issues also beckoned her involvement in the initial planning of the Women's / Children's Center. She helped that organization get its start by serving on their Board of Directors. Other agencies that she has shared her time and talents are Contact Center, Council on Aging, Yankton Transit, Avera Home Health Advisory Board and Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Corporate Board.

Since her retirement from the Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services, Schiedel has been involved with the Hospice program sharing her time and skills when needed - sometimes daily, sometimes once or twice a week. Her nursing skills are also greatly appreciated as she cares for people through the Parish Nurse program.

Welcoming new members to the Sacred Heart Parish, offering condolences to grieving families, writing minutes for the Parish Pastoral Council, volunteering at Sacred Heart School, serving at the Banquet or helping where needed for Catholic Daughters, Schiedel continues to care for people of all ages. Peggy remarked that her volunteering really got started during nurses trailing due to the persuasion of the Nuns.

As a retired nurse, Schiedel was a perfect fit for the Yankton County Emergency Planning Team. If a disaster should occur in this area, Peggy will be one of the trained personnel working to address the most urgent needs. She is also caring for people that are on the Lewis & Clark Lake. Serving in the Coast Guard Auxiliary with her husband, they spend many weekends pulling stalled boats to dock, assisting people off their boats when in trouble and educating boaters on water safety issues.

With a ready smile on her face, she was a natural to make dolls for Operation Smile - a project of Women's Club. When surgeons go to the Third World countries on mission trips, stuffed gingerbread dolls are accompanying them. Children receive one of the dolls with only a bow at its neck. The first task for the child patient is to make the dolls face patterned after their own. Whereas a child did not have a smile before surgery, they are now able to share their happiness through the doll. Hundreds of dolls have been stitched on Schiedel's sewing machine.

Caring for people, sharing nursing skills, sewing dolls for smiles, making a difference in lives - volunteering is Peggy Schiedel's gift to community. Thanks for caring.