What name comes to mind when you talk about Riverboat Days or raising money for the Cory Briest home? Pauline Rhoades! She is the "go to" person who does not shy away from big or smaller projects. Finding time to meet with her is the most difficult task due to her multiple activities.

Chairing Yankton Riverboat Days for the past five years has been a year-round commitment plus surpassing the goal to build a home for returning soldier Cory Briest and his family. Even with the community festival responsibilities, Pauline did not hesitate for a second to assist the Briest family. Volunteering started early for Rhoades as she grew up in the small community of Veblen where people were expected to get involved.

Since residing in Yankton for the past thirty-four years, she has also been active in committees and programs at Trinity Lutheran Church serving as President, Vice President, Board of Trustees, Reader, Altar Guild, Communion Assistant, Bible School Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Bell Choir and Adult Choir.

Other community volunteer participation includes serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Customer Appreciation Days, Health Care Committee, President of the Southeast Society of Human Resources Management, Red Cross Board of Directors, Toastmasters, Yankton Community Foundation Board, Yankton Federal Prison Camp Community Relations Board, Sons of Norway, United Way & Volunteer Services Board of Directors, YHS Booster Club, Joint Powers Solid Waste Advisory Board, Patriot Guard Riders, March of Dimes fundraiser, Relay For Life, American Heart Association, Community Feast plus other benefits and organizations.

So what inspires Pauline Rhoades to give and keep on giving? Every day she looks at this question that is posted in a prominent position in her house, "What did I do to help someone today?" With this thought before her, Rhoades believes in giving back and trying to make a difference. She also knows that there are so many opportunities that can be explored that take different amounts of time - that not all volunteer positions are lengthy obligations. She urges others to expose themselves to opportunities to give because the rewards are greater than a person's efforts. Pauline Rhoades is very grateful that she has the time, energy and resources to help others and realizes the delicate balance of life especially when volunteering to meet needs of people. She said, "There go I but for the grace of God." Caring and sharing - Rhoades is moving forward to fulfill her motivational question every day.