United Way & Volunteer Services February Volunteer of the Month is Chuck Tienken. Chuck has been part of the Yankton community for 47 years and has volunteered throughout that time.

Tienken has been involved in Boy Scouts since 1961 and that is how he and his wife eventually got into volunteer work. He was a Scout Master for 15 years, served on the District Council Board, and is the church representative for Scout Pack 102.

When Chuck returned home from the Service, his uncle, whom he greatly admired, handed him his first American Legion membership card, and encouraged Chuck to participate in the organization. He has been very active since and even owned the title of Commander for two terms. He is on the Boys State selection committee and has been a counselor at Boy State for two years. He also assists with baseball games by helping at the gates. Along with assistance at the games, the Legion sponsors a baseball team and provides the flag for the baseball field. Along with other members, he has assisted with grocery delivery to shut-ins since 1992. He has coordinated drivers for the past three years. Fifteen members assist in the program and each week eight people make between 40-45 deliveries. Tienken is also active in the VFW's Honor Guard and takes part in parades and ceremonies.

Tienken is involved in many other aspects of our community. He has served two terms on the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors while assisting with the building of homes two days per week. He is a Siouxland Blood Bank Donor and has donated over seven gallons of blood! He substitutes for Meals on Wheels. Chuck is a member of Pheasants Forever. He volunteers at the annual banquet fundraiser that goes toward the purchase of land to create habitat for pheasants and other wildlife that is open to the public for hunting. He also volunteers for the Youth Shoot and Youth Hunt. Chuck is also an active member of the United Church of Christ. He has served on the Trustee Board, Deacon Board, Stewardship Committee, Nominating Committee, two Pastor Search Committee and on Church Council as Member at Large.

Chuck helps with whatever needs to be done for his elderly neighbors. Since he has a large garden, he takes produce to those neighbors, as well as the Senior Citizen's Center, which he is also a member of.

Chuck Teinken stays very busy and has a giving, helping spirit. He gets involved and volunteers because of the people he gets to meet and work with, and because of the sincere appreciation he receives from those he helps. Keep up the great work, Chuck!