2025 August Volunteer of the Month - Jean Prater

Some volunteers choose to donate most of their time and talents to one or two organizations in their community.  Some choose to make a wider impact by volunteering at many organizations.  Both methods are admirable and impactful.  Jean Prater is one of those volunteers that seems to have an impact on the entire community!

Jean is an active volunteer with the Lions Club, the VFW, Federated Women’s Club, the Reformed Church, the United Way, the Yankton Community Library, The Center, and many others.  Heck, it seems like she has impacted nearly all non-profit organizations in our community!  Jean is always there to fill in wherever she is needed.

Jean is a hard worker and a master organizer.  She is cheerful and helpful to all.  Jean has logged well over 500 hours of volunteer service reported to the United Way since she joined the RSVP program in February of 2020.  The community looks forward to many more hours of Jean sharing her passion, time and talents with its organizations and the clients and missions they serve.

Jean inspires others through her quiet leadership and unwavering commitment. She leads by example; showing that even the smallest tasks, when done with care, can have a big impact. Her positive attitude and willingness to pitch in wherever needed encourages others to do the same.

Because of her commitment to serving our neighbors in need, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton was honored to present Jean Prater with the August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Award.

We asked Jean to share more about her volunteerism, in her own words:

I have lived in Yankton since 1984.

I started volunteering when I started working for Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. There were many volunteer opportunities for employees, and I helped there.

I volunteer at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital information desk, VFW kitchen and other activities; Riverview Reformed Church; Lions Club – hanging flags and other activities; Friends of the Library – book sales; The Center – various activities; The Banquet – help number of groups serve; Yankton General Federated Women’s Club activities; United Way’s Big Red Bookshelf – stock shelves and various locations.

Approximate hours that I volunteer: I don’t keep track.

Volunteer work is enjoyable because it’s all about the people. Not only the people you are serving but also the people you get to meet.

My best volunteer experience is: It’s impossible to pick just one as each touches my heart in a special way.

The advice I would give to those thinking about getting out there and volunteering in their communities is: Get involved!  There are opportunities for everyone.  Key is to smile and make wherever you are a better place.

Thank you, Jean, for all you do! To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email info@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.