National Volunteer Month - Volunteer Spotlights

Never before has man had such a great capacity to

control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease,

to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of

mankind in the history of the world.

National Volunteer Month presents an opportunity for individuals, families, non-profit organizations and

government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary

people who accomplish extraordinary things

through service.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH APRIL 2011

Larimer County organizations share the stories of the volunteers

that give so much of themselves to support

our community.

Thank you for all

that you do.

President John F.

Kennedy

Table of Contents

Volunteer Excellence Kim Bollar Mike Boyles Jack Burns Stephen Carleton Katie Cole Marcia Davis Cathy Dietz Mary Dravis-Parrish

Rosemary Edelen

Kristi Faraguna Alana Farnham Jim Fisher

Elizabeth Fogarty

Mark Gembarkwski

Angelo Gordon

David Haggerty

Brian and Esther Hansen

Kris and Gary Hazelton

Linda Hogate

Bryon and Debbi Holmes

Don Keck

Cameron LaBelle

Ken Larson

Anne Leija

John Lewis

Bill Little

Greg Lundie

Diana Luthi Doreen MacDonald

Linda Maher Linda Marshall

Jim Matlock

Leo McGarry

Mike Oline

Lily Parkinson

Mark Parsons

Sue Peterson

Rob and Julie Pieper

Daniel Plain Teyana Reynolds Michelle Richter

Cheryl Sarnwick

Jody Shadduck-McNally

Cathy Sloan

Wini and John Spanily

Scott Sprague

Matt Swaffer

Allison Skapin and Jennifer

Taylor

Jennifer Taylor

Scott Thompson

Valerie Thompson

Linda and Michael Tieman

Todd Jirsa and Frank Theis

Donna Weyer

Gary Wright

Danielle Youngblood

Outstanding Volunteer Group The Coordinators Group

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Table of Contents National Charity League

Caring Kids Club

Volunteer Leaders at Hewlett-

Packard

Faithful Few Crew

Volunteer Counselors

Shepardson Elementary

Helping Hands Club

Poudre High School IB

Student Council

Live United Fort Collins High

School

Rooftop Rodeo

Committee

Larimer County

Naturalists

Winter Festival

Committee Senior Volunteer Excellence

Dave Angst

Dorothy Baumgartner

Carolyn Fairbanks

Harlan Ferguson

Davis Glasgow

Francis Griffin

Alice and Dale Harvey

Sandy Hill

Vaughn Hunkins

Art Kimble

John Krueger

Lindsey Lamson

Marcella Lanting

Christina LaVake

Alice League

Gary Lihudis

Dixie Lloyd

Janet McKeen

Peggy Miller

Dick Minor

Marilyn Moore

Louise Olson

Stella O’Neill

Sandy Osterman

Ernie Pope

Craig Robinson

Bill Rosquist

Ross Sackman

Dottie Schroeder

Mary Jo Seifert

Naomi Stotts

Kay Thomas

Garin VanDeMark

Marilyn Vergoth

Linda Nerger Youth

Volunteer Excellence John Everitt Cullins

Nathan Gallo

Cierra Henderson

Bethany Ramus

Mercedes Slack

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Kim Bollar Garfield Elementary School Kim Bollar is a parent/citizen volunteer at Garfield Elementary School and has put in more than a thousand hours over the 10 years by helping with various programs through-out the school. Kim has been a volunteer in her children’s classrooms, as well as support-ing PTA projects and activities and has been a daily volunteer in the school library for six years. She is conscientious, dedicated and genuinely cares about the children in the community, making her an exceptional volunteer.

Mike Boyles Disabled Resource Services Mike Boyles came to Disabled Resource Services in 2009 seeking a way to give back to the community after the early death of his wife to cancer.. When help in needed, Mike is there, donating over 225 hours in 2010 alone. Mike is committed to be a relentless man of accountability inspiration and integrity.

Jack Burns Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership Every organization that depends on volunteers has a “go-to” per-son; for the Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, Jack Burns is that person. He is never scared to ask hard questions and his commitment to finding the truth and restoring justice is un-matched. He is always the first to volunteer and always handles situations professionally and appropriately. Jack is a citizen to be proud of, and a volunteer worthy of recognition.

Stephen Carleton Partners Mentoring Youth All Senior Partners who volunteer as mentors with Partners Mentoring Youth make a difference, but Stephen Carleton goes above and beyond what is expected a mentor. Not only do they do fun activities together, but Stephen also attends every parent/teacher conference and continuously helps monitor his Junior Partner’s grades and homework completion. Stephen has spent over 1,000 hours volunteering as a Senior Partner and although Partners have many inspirational mentors, Stephen is one of the ones who shines above the rest.

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Volunteer Excellence Award

For an individual or pair under 60 who has volunteered to increase the overall well-being of the community through outstanding volunteer service.

Katie Cole Children’s Speech and Reading Center Many people find it difficult to make time to volunteer, especially while holding down a full-time job. Many people aren’t Katie Cole. After seeking her own volunteer opportu-nity, Katie began volunteering with the Children’s Speech and Reading Center in July 2009 and has donated her time ever since. Katie goes above and beyond traditional volunteer jobs, by organizing and leading an annual 5K fundraiser. Not only that, but Katie frequently displays patience, enthusiasm and a positive disposition that make her an exemplary volunteer.

Marcia Davis Homeward 2020 After retiring from 30 years of teaching, Marcia Davis began volunteering with Home-less 2020 to fill her newfound discretionary time. By helping coordinate and execute Registry Week, a week where every homeless person living in Fort Collins is accounted for, Marcia and Homeless 2020 registered 229 homeless people in the community. Picking up a similar role with Project Homeless Connect, Marcia once again used her services to help hundreds of less fortunate people. Her detail-orientated nature and remarkable people skills brought light to the hundreds of individuals she helped and that is why she stands as an exemplary volunteer.

Cathy Dietz Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity If the Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity had to sum up Cathy Dietz in one word it would be “amazing.” Having donated 400 hours of service every year since 2008, Cathy has become an exceptional crew leader for Habitat. Cathy’s team says she’s a wonderful crew leader because she is an incredible leader with extraordinary social skills. She is not afraid to keep everyone in line, but also never hesitates to make special errands and assure everyone is comfortable. Cathy has a natural talent for knowing how to rec-ognize and lift up others, making everyone feel special and appreciated.

Mary Dravis-Parrish Suicide Resource Center As a volunteer at the Suicide Resource Center, Mary Dravis-Parrish is critical in provid-ing information about the reality of suicide to the community. Volunteering more than 250 hours, Mary is always willing and eager to educate teachers and students about signs of depression, suicidal warning signs and how they can help themselves or a friend. She is honest, open and a helping hand for someone struggling through depres-sion or the loss of a loved one to suicide.

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Marcia Davis Homeward 2020 After retiring from 30 years of teaching, Marcia Davis began volunteering with Home-less 2020 to fill her newfound discretionary time. By helping coordinate and execute Registry Week, a week where every homeless person living in Fort Collins is accounted for, Marcia and Homeless 2020 registered 229 homeless people in the community. Picking up a similar role with Project Homeless Connect, Marcia once again used her services to help hundreds of less fortunate people. Her detail-orientated nature and remarkable people skills brought light to the hundreds of individuals she helped and that is why she stands as an exemplary volunteer.

Cathy Dietz Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity If the Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity had to sum up Cathy Dietz in one word it would be “amazing.” Having donated 400 hours of service every year since 2008, Cathy has become an exceptional crew leader for Habitat. Cathy’s team says she’s a wonderful crew leader because she is an incredible leader with extraordinary social skills. She is not afraid to keep everyone in line, but also never hesitates to make special errands and assure everyone is comfortable. Cathy has a natural talent for knowing how to rec-ognize and lift up others, making everyone feel special and appreciated.

Mary Dravis-Parrish Suicide Resource Center As a volunteer at the Suicide Resource Center, Mary Dravis-Parrish is critical in provid-ing information about the reality of suicide to the community. Volunteering more than 250 hours, Mary is always willing and eager to educate teachers and students about signs of depression, suicidal warning signs and how they can help themselves or a friend. She is honest, open and a helping hand for someone struggling through depres-sion or the loss of a loved one to suicide.

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Marcia Davis

Rosemary Edelen Volunteers of America Rosemary Edelen has been a volunteer Meals on Wheels delivery driver for Volunteers of American since December 2009. Although she is a relatively new volunteer, her dedication and compassion for the clients is unrivaled. As a delivery driver, Rosemary not only provides meals, but also friendship to many homebound seniors, always going above and beyond to give extra help to the clients. Rosemary cares about the clients she serves and brings empathy and understanding to her service and the organization. She is a true asset to Volunteers of America and more importantly, the clients.

Alana Farnham Alternatives to Violence Alana Farnham began volunteering at Alternatives to Violence in 2010 and has do-nated more than 690 hours of her time, the equivalent of $14,878.71 back to the or-ganization. She was an enthusiastic participant of the 42-hour Victim Advocate training program and has committed many nights responding to calls involving domestic vio-lence and sexual assault. She is an excellent and reliable volunteer and her assistance, kindness and compassion she shows towards community members who have suffered a violent crime is invaluable.

Jim Fisher Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity To most, joining and completing a volunteer project is service enough. But Jim Fisher, it was just the begin-ning. After joining Habitat for Humanity in 2009 during PresBuild, a joint effort of ten Presbyterian churches, Jim returned to Habitat to put in 950 additional hours. He is now a crew leader and a vital part of the team. He has led almost 2000 team members, most of which who have never worked in con-struction and his tranquil, easy-going nature creates a calm atmosphere in a building environment. Jim truly gives a “hand up” instead of a “hand out.”

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Kristi Faraguna Kristi Faraguna is a member of the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club and has been in-volved in many fundraising events, as well as served on their scholarship committee, chairperson of the Labor Day craft fair and devotes many hours helping the Rotary Club raise funds. She also spearheaded the support for Estes Park Relay for Life, as well as the American Cancer Society. Kristi is an outstanding member of the Estes community and devotes a great deal of her work and personal time to helping others and making her community a better place.

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Elizabeth Fogarty Elizabeth Fogarty was instrumental in the creation and execution of the Estes Park Winter Festival during 2010 and 2011. She worked tirelessly to organize and set events as well as harness and manage a team of other volunteers. Her wisdom, hard work and drive to make Estes Park a year round destination exemplifies her unselfish attitude and her personal commitment to Estes Park. All of this plus more demonstrate what a gift she is to the community.

Mark Gembaroski Mountain View High School The search for what university to attend is very stressful for a student and when finan-cial considerations are added, it can become unbearable. But Mark Gembaroski is there to help. As a Scholarship Center volunteer, Mark plays a major role in updating and researching scholarship information and works tirelessly to get scholarship infor-mation and applications to any and all students at Mountain View. He also makes ap-pointments with students to talk about scholarships, college or anything else. He is trustworthy, welcoming and provides consistency and hope to students. He is a won-derful role-model and an exceptional volunteer.

Angelo Gordon Angelo Gordon is a 2nd grade teacher at Estes Park Elementary School and goes above and beyond normal expectations to get to know individual children and their special needs and skills. He takes special interest in the children as people and designs pro-grams to challenge them individual, which is not easy with 19 students. He helps them strive for higher achievement and sets challenge goals to help them reach their highest potential. Not only that, but Angelo rewards students with fun activities that he participate sin also, strengthening the bond between teacher and student. He is a caring, persistent and accomplished teacher.

David Haggerty RSVP (Volunteers of America) When most people think of volunteering, they think of hard labor, but as David Haggerty shows, volunteerism can also include an outreached hand and a listening ear. As a vol-unteer for RSVP, David visits with senior citizens and acts as a companion and a friend. David enrolled in the RSVP program in August 2010 and has since served over 100 hours. David’s willingness to take on extra volunteer hours to make sure people and or-

ganizations are being served is what sets him apart from many other volunteers.

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Brian and Esther Hansen

The Matthews House Not many volunteers are present when an organization starts up. However, Brian and Esther Hansen were an important part of the Matthews House when it opened and have continued to serve them for over five years. They have donated countless hours to the Matthews House, working directly with youth and doing behind-the-scenes

work. Their unconditional love and compassion for every youth they encounter is appar-ent and their true, selfless spirit is impacting lives, one person at a time.

Kris and Gary Hazelton Kris and Gary Hazelton provide an important service to the entire Estes Park commu-nity, not only through the Estes Park News, but also through their presence at many community events, including the local radio station, EPTV, various parades, the Estes Park spelling bee and all of the events at most non-profits. Their fine reporting and per-sonal appearance at these events demonstrate their love and dedication to Estes.

Linda Hogate Larimer County Department of Human Services Volunteers are often thought of irreplaceable, and Linda Hogate is just that. After joining the organization in 2010, Linda has dedicated more than 200 hours in the office, doing everything from entering data to keeping in touch with donors or whatever else is asked of her. Her pleasant demeanor creates a calming force in the office and proves to be un-shakable, even in the most hectic of seasons. Linda is selfless and supportive and goes above and beyond the tasks of what is asked of her. A rock in a hurricane, Linda is a per-fect example of what volunteerism is.

Bryon and Debbie Holmes As the owners of MedX of Estes, a comprehensive exercise facility and full service physical therapy clinic, Bryon and Debbie Holmes already have a vested interest in the well-being of their community. MedX allows everyone of any age group and physical ability to take strides in maintaining their health. Additionally, Bryon and Debbie are generous contributors to Estes Park schools and have provided years of support to local sports. Not only do they encourage fitness and health, but Bryon and Debbie pro-vide an ongoing internship program for graduating college seniors from all over the country at their facility. Through their on-going support and advocacy for healthy life-styles, Bryon and Debbie certainly care about their community.

Cameron LaBelle

Larimer Humane Society Most 22-year old men would not be willing to spend their days off scrubbing kennels. Cameron LaBelle is different. He spends his two days off a week volunteering at the Larimer County Humane Society, doing everything from administrative work to exercising and cleaning up after the animal residents. With his positive “can-do” attitude, sense of humor and flexibility, Cameron is a wonder-ful example of what volunteering can accomplish.

Don Keck Ivy Stockwell Elementary The vision of Ivy Stockwell Elementary is that the learning of each student is critically important. Don Keck, a volunteer of our years, demonstrates that belief in everything he does. As a volunteer for Ivy Stockwell, Don does everything, from reading assistance to teaching soccer in gym class. He is a fantastic coordinator and has excellent persever-ance. Don understands that his service not only impacts his children, but the children of others.

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Ken Larson Ken Larson has spent the last two years as Chairman of the Estes Park Local Market-ing District, retiring in January 2011. Ken was elected chairman by his fellow board members and was reelected in 2010. During those years, Ken spent countless hours away from his business and family to dedicate his time and incredible leadership skills to the community. He guided the board with the utmost ethical standards and sets ex-cellent standards for Estes Park.

Anne Leija As a first grade teacher, Anne Leija lives her life in a classroom of five year olds. How-

ever, while that may seem scary to some, Anne thrives in it. Anne created a wonderful

“job” program, where her students work on jobs around the classroom, such as cleaning

sinks and emptying the pencil sharpener. This helps instill a sense of responsibility in her

students that will likely follow them throughout their entire life. She also spends a chuck of

the day reading to her students and helping them understand complex subjects, such as

statistics. Anne has a way of making every one of her children feel special.

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John Lewis Loveland Public Library John Lewis has been volunteering at the Loveland Public Library for over ten years, faith-fully updating database records and the handbook for outreach volunteers. He is efficient, accurate and works independently. His dedication to continue volunteering while obtain-ing a degree speaks greatly for his character as a person and as a volunteer.

Greg Lundie Partners Mentoring Youth When Greg Lundie originally committed to being a Senior Partner at Partners Mentoring Youth, it was for three hours a week for one year. However, after Greg and his Junior Partner reached their graduation, they decided to stay in the program and have been matched with each other for almost five years. Through his skill-set, commitment and compassion for his Junior Partner, Greg and his Junior Partner have developed a life-long friendship. Greg has demonstrated responsibility, dedication and through many vol-unteers, Greg stands out in the crowd.

Bill Little Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity As soft spoken, passionate individual, Bill Little has been one of the most dedicated volunteers for the Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, participating in multiple builds a week. When on the worksite, Bill is eager to take on a variety of different tasks and can often be found working with the new, inexperienced volunteers. He teaches them how to accomplish tasks such as framing, siding, drywall, trim carpentry, cabinets, paint-ing, and much more. While working with the future homeowners, Bill has taken time to build them wooden windmills as gifts to decorate their yards with. Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity calls Bill one of the “Faithful Few” because he fully embraces the Habitat for Humanity philosophy of giving a “hand up” not a “hand out.”

Diana Luthi Loveland Habitat for Humanity When Diana Luthi started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, she experienced first-hand how life changing and empowering a Habitat home can be. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and is always seeking ways to help others. If there’s a need, Diana will be there with endless energy and a smile. She is driven to make life better and amazes everyone with her compassion and desire to see more families enjoy the stability and community that comes with a Habitat home.

Doreen MacDonald Loveland Community Kitchen In the mid-1990’s, Doreen MacDonald read about the homeless population in Loveland and began a program to serve meals in the park on weekends. Eventually merging with Loveland Community Kitchen, Doreen was integral in ensuring that meals would be served every day. Doreen devotes herself to providing a warm, welcoming location for anyone who is hungry to come, relax and have a meal with dignity. Her commitment is unrivaled and she is always available with a smile.

Linda Maher Suicide Resource Center of Larimer County Volunteers continuously play a vital role in the operations of nonprofits. Linda Maher is an example of that. A 15-year volunteer, Linda has donated well over 1,000 hours to the Suicide Resource Center and continues to be a critical part of the organization. Her warm and compassionate personality makes it easy for both youth and adults to open up to her and share personal experiences. She is calm, nonjudgmental and always willing to listen and provide support. Whether it is giving a presentation or just providing a listening ear, Linda exemplifies what being an excellent volunteer is all about.

Linda Marshall Independent Order of Odd Fellows It’s said that information is priceless and Linda Marshall knows this very well. As the current head of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Loveland, Linda has been foremost in orga-nizing community speakers from various or-ganizations to present badly needed informa-tion to the community that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life. Linda has dem-onstrated the grand selflessness that makes her an exceptional member of the community.

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Jim Matlock Larimer County DHS Jim Matlock has been a dedicated volunteer since 2009 at the Larimer County DHA as a

youth mentor. He has persevered through mismatched youth partnerships, unstable fam-

ily dynamics and uncommon failed matches. Now, Jim is partnered with another youth,

and this time, it is a perfect match. Throughout the process, he was unwavering and sup-

portive, ready and willing to be there for any child who needed him.

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Leo McGarry Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity Leo McGarry began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during PresBuild, a joint effort of ten Presbyterian churches in and near Fort Collins, but did not stop once the house was completed. Since PresBuild, Leo has put in more than 830 hours to Habitat and is considered one of the most reliable members of the crew. He accomplishes any task that is given to him and begins the next without losing a beat. He has the ability to make everyone feel welcomed and appreciated, which is what a volunteer should do.

Mike Oline Estes Park Lions Club Mike Oline is the president of the Estes Park Lion’s Club, where he puts in numerous hours volunteering. He is also involved with the Estes Park Museum, Fine Arts Guild, Senior Centers and any other organization that calls for help. He is constantly giving his time to organizations and is an amazing, thoughtful and caring individual and volunteer.

Lily Parkinson Larimer Humane Society Lily Parkinson literally grew up with the Larimer Humane Society, joining the organization when she was 13 and ten years later, she still finds time to dedicate her service to the cause. In those ten years, she has donated over 1,000 hours of service and has volun-teered in every department possible in the Humane Society. Lily has lent her time and energy as a volunteer to departments before an official volunteer position was created, proving that she is a moti-vated, caring and compassionate volunteer.

Mark Parsons Northern Colorado American Red Cross As a volunteer for the Northern Colorado American Red Cross, Mark Parsons never asks, “what will I get out of this,” but rather “what can I do to help?” Mark has been instrumental in Red Cross training programs by coordinating volunteers, recruiting for classes and teaching higher level courses. His enthusiasm and compassion is immeasurable and can’t help but bring joy to everyone around him. By volunteering for more than 1,200

hours, Mark exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer.

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Sue Peterson Homeless Gear Sue Peterson started at Homeless Gear more than a year ago and has since worked

tirelessly at getting the Clothing Bank at the Murphy Center cleaned up and organized.

Sue stepped in to the Program Coordinator position a few months ago and has made

remarkable contributions through her enthusiasm and drive. She has a compassionate

spirit and respect for the guests, showing how much she cares about the community and

those who serve.

Rob and Julie Pieper Rob and Julie Pieper are essential to the Estes community. Every year, they donate food

from their restaurant to the Estes Park Relay for Life, as well as spending their time vol-

unteering, never hesitating to bring supplies or help to the event. They have made a huge

impact on the Estes community by spreading awareness about cancer as well as sharing

ideas and suggestions to improve ACS contributions with Relay for Life.

Daniel Plain Crossroads Safehouse Daniel Plain has volunteered at Crossroads Safehouse, an agency that provides emer-gency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence, since early 2009. Daniel en-courages interactive and educational activities for school-age children, works with self-esteem building and role-modeling respect. Additionally, Daniel works to break gender stereotypes and teach young boys that being a man does not mean being abusive. He is the first volunteer there and the last one to leave, with a smile on his face and warmth in his heart.

Teyana Reynolds Traut Care Knowledge Elementary As a volunteer at Traut Care Knowledge Elementary, Teyana Reynolds goes above and beyond the requirements for volunteering. Teyana attends every school district, Parental Advisory Board and SBMC meeting and creates a calm atmosphere where there may have previously been tension and frustration. She volunteers roughly 40 hours a week and is always at the school, whether it is volunteering with her daughter or having meet-ings with staff or parents. Teyana wears her heart on her sleeve and is full of love and compassion for the Traut community, making her an extraordinary volunteer.

Michelle Richter Children’s Speech and Reading Center Many young volunteers at the Children’s Speech and Reading Center seek volunteer opportunities for practical experience during or after completing a graduate program. Mi-chelle Richter, on the other hand, had the initiative to gain these skills before even enter-ing a graduate program. She is quick to make improvements and is constantly looking for suggestions on how to make the most of herself. Though only having volunteered for seven months, Michelle’s personality, enthusiasm and motivation has already made a positive impact on the lives of her peers.

Jody Shadduck McNally Namaqua Elementary School Jody Shadduck McNally is a woman who can literally “burn the candle at both ends.” She does not know the word “no” and her unselfish attitude of putting in whatever it takes to get the job done is unending. Jody volunteers for nearly every event at Namaqua and is she is not volunteering, she is at the school to offer her support. Jody has is the number one volunteer at Namaqua and does whatever is needed, no matter what.

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Cheryl Sarnwick Despite a number of setbacks, Cheryl Sarnwick has instituted a great amount of enthusi-

asm and support into the Estes Youth Center. The benefit held at The Rock Inn speaks of

her dedication to Estes Park youth and Estes Park as a whole.

Cathy Sloan Pathways Hospice Providing companionship and comfort for people in their last weeks and months of life would be difficult for many, but it fits Cathy Sloan perfectly. Cathy pos-ses a charismatic warmth and sincere interest in the well-being of others, which helped her to gain 17 years of service at Pathways Hospice. Her flexibility and consistency is so important to families and she is able to bring a sense of humor when it is needed the most. Cathy truly exemplifies the giving spirit that makes this community second to none.

Wini and John Spanily Wini and John Spanily have volunteered for the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park and have brought in around 30,000 dollars to the community through sponsorships. They have also worked for the MRC, the auction and visibility to the event as well. They pride themselves on being transparent and are an excellent addition to the Estes community.

Matt Swaffer Alternatives to Violence As a volunteer for Alternatives to Violence for five months, Matt Swaffer has donated an estimated 122 hours of service, the equivalent of $2,619.34 back to the organization. At Alternatives to Violence, Matt has donated his time to redesign the website layout, result-ing in an increase in website visits and on-line donations. Matt has committed many hours volunteering at Alternatives to Violence and serves as an example to everyone involved in helping victims of violence.

Jennifer Taylor and Allison Skapin Jennifer Taylor and Allison Skapin are middle school teachers who worked directly with a traffic visioning committee to lead 6th graders through an important and real world process to develop an excellent, real world solution. These teachers are dedicated to their stu-dents and are excellent volunteers.

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Scott Sprague Angel House Scott Sprague has been very instrumental to Angel House,

helping out with building, putting up shelves and replacing

and building a new picket fence. Always conscious of the

clientele, Scott is adept at respecting the families, as well

as the children he interacts with. Scott is gentle, quiet,

kind, appreciative and a jewel in this fast paced world.

Scott Thompson Scott Thompson has become very involved in the community since moving there a little

over three years ago. As a member of the newly created development committee, he

willingly supports the community. Through his persistence and leadership, Scott has a

hard time saying no to requests for his volunteer time. He is committed, dedicated and

thoroughly cares for the Estes community.

Linda and Michael Tieman Medical Center of the Rockies The Medical Center of the Rockies offers pet therapy visits to help relieve stress and im-prove the moods of patients. The first pet therapy team was Linda and Michael Tieman and their dog Dillon in 2007. Now, Linda and Michael have added another dog to their team. The Tiemans and their two golden retrievers are loyal and dedicated volunteers and have provided over 500 hours of service and are an inspiration to everyone.

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Valerie Thompson From Winterfest to cookies for 2nd grade Valentine’s Day parties to Partners for Com-merce, it’s easy to say that Valerie Thompson is dedicated and committed to serving Es-tes Park. She is cheerful, bright and always a happy face. Valerie genuinely cares about the success of the town and the success of everyone in it.

Todd Jirsa and Frank Theis The voluntary effort of Todd Jirsa and Frank Theis have put towards focusing on year-round economic activity has the potential to jump-start the Estes Park community after the devastating economic downturn. Their willingness to forge ahead with private busi-ness to boost the economy has the potential to put Estes Park on the map. Todd and Frank genuinely care about the Estes community and won’t stop at anything to help it.

Donna Weyer Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center Donna Weyer joined Hearts and Horses in October of 2009 and has averaged over 500 hours of service every year. She began helping in the barns, cleaning out stalls and tak-ing care of horses. Over time, Donna has transformed into a spokesperson for Hearts and Horses and spends her time acting as a role model of children and helping other volunteers. She is always willing to do whatever needs to be done, no matter what. She is a wonderful teacher and a dedicated volunteer.

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Gary Wright Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity Gary Wright began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity during PresBuild in 2009. Since then, he has stayed on as a regular volunteer and has since put in more than 1400 hours. Having taught and lead almost 2000 volunteers over the past two years, Gary proves time and time again to be a dedicated leader. Gary is fun-loving, encouraging and patient, especially with volunteers who have never used power tools before. He arrives at construction sites early and is always the last one to leave. Gary completely embraces the idea of a “hand up” and not a “hand out.”

Danielle Youngblood Loveland High School Band Boosters In many schools across the county, music programs are being cut, leaving budgets sub-ject to fundraising. For the Loveland High School Band, Danielle Youngblood has been saving the day for the past four years. Her creativity, community connections and tireless dedication has spearheaded fundraising efforts so families aren’t expected to pay for vari-ous competitions and performances as well as new instruments, music, uniforms and many other costs to the band. Danielle never says she can’t help, but rolls up her sleeves and finds way that she can.

The Coordinators Group Interfaith Hospitality Network (Angel House) Usually, the volunteers of a particular organization are recognized and more often than not, the work of the coordinators of those volunteers goes unnoticed. The Coordinators Group from the Interfaith Hospitality Network has organized more than 11,585.5 hours of volunteerism in the community. Every week, the coordinators enlist volunteers to help provide a week-long home for a family in need. By the end of the week, the coordinators, as well as the volunteers, know the family well enough to know which household items they will need to make the move. The coordinators are always willing to show love to families they hardly know. A wonderful group of volunteers in the IHN are led by a dedi-cated and passionate group of coordinators.

Outstanding Volunteer Group Award

For a group of volunteers of any age that has made an outstanding impact through volunteer service. This group works together cohesively and sets an

example for others to become involved in volunteerism. Nominees for this category include groups of 3 or more individuals.

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The Caring Kids Club In January 2001, four families formed the Caring Kids Club as a way to better serve their community. For more than ten years, these families have donated their time and service to the Fort Collins community once a month. As their children have grown, the types of projects they take on have grown as well, including adopting a trail to clean along Spring Creek, Mission and raising funds for the Special Olympics. The Caring Kids Club, a family-formed organization, is a perfect example of how a small group of people can change their community.

National Charity League Many organizations can only get a few people willing to donate their time and volunteer, but for the National Charity League, that is no problem. The National Charity League is a mother-daughter organization with chapters all over the county, but the Larimer County chapter has more than 100 participants and helps organizations such as Elderhaus, Pro-ject Self-Sufficiency, Poudre Valley Hospital and Catholic Charities. During September through February, the National Charity League donated over 550 hours of service to Catholic Charities doing everything from baking, serving meals and assisting during fund-raisers. The National Charity League is the epitome of this community and holds volun-teer service as a necessity, not just an obligation.

Volunteer Leaders at Hewlett Packard Many employees of Hewlett-Packard participate in volunteer activities that greatly benefit the community. For instance, Caryn Leppert and Russ Harrell volunteer during National Engineers Week, which brings engineers into elementary school classrooms and en-gages them in fun, engineering activities. Min Fan is the HP lead for the Discovery Mu-seum Project while Norell Compton and Catherine Grow lead the HP Girls Tech Camp that emphasizes female engineers. Additionally, Courtney Goeltzenleuchter is the tourna-ment director for the local FIRST LEGO League tournament that challenges kids to build a robot. These people, every year, go above and beyond with their time, skills, creativity and energy to engage local kids.

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The Faithful Few Crew Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity Every organization has a group of people that are the ones they could always count on and put in countless hours. For the Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, this is the Faithful Few Crew. In the past two years, this group has built six homes and lead almost 2000 people, the majority of which had no construction experi-

ence. The Few can always be counted on to do whatever is needed. Each person in the group is a devoted and dedicated volunteer that takes Habitat for Humanity’s message to heart.

Volunteer Counselors Larimer Small Business Development Center The Larimer Small Business Development Center has had a major impact on the commu-nity in large part because of the volunteers it utilizes. The volunteer counselors work in a one-on-one free, confidential counseling program designed to help business owners with sales, marketing, loan preparation and much more. The volunteer counselors donated 814 hours last year, resulting in substantial economic impact, such as the creation of 197 new jobs and 57 new businesses starting. Clients are asked to attach a metaphorical dollar amount to the help they received and a dozen clients answered “priceless.”

Helping Hands Club Shepardson Elementary The Shepardson Elementary Helping Hands Club consists of students in first through fifth grade who volunteer their time outside of class to raise aware-ness and make a difference for others. The club at-tends meetings, make posters and organize events. The club has also organized the “Shepardson Gives” program that has, over the past three years, collected thousands of snacks and clothing items for homeless children, organized a “Cans Around the Oval” event at school and raised over $5,000 selling reusable shopping bags along with many other programs. This club has shown everyone that you are never too young to change the world.

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Poudre High School IB Student Council Elderhaus Every year, Elderhaus puts on a “Senior” Prom for their clients and every year, the Poudre High School IB Student Council gives countless of hours of help to the event. The students set a theme, set the date, book and secure the venue and then decorate. After the event, they clean up, making sure that every bit of trash is thrown away. Not only do they prepare for the event and clean up after, but they always attend the prom, dancing with the seniors, teaching them new moves and having conversations about the old days. Although the student council changes every year, they are consistently hardworking and their enthusiasm and compassion shine through.

Live United Fort Collins High School The Live United club at Fort Collins High School began in 2008 as part of a fundraising activity for United Way of Larimer County. Since then, Live United has been involved in many service projects around Larimer County such as making a Thanksgiving dinner for the local fire station, making blankets for Project Linus, selling flowers for Valentine’s Day and many more. The vast amount of projects they have planned and completed is a tes-tament to their organization, participation and motivation to be leaders at Fort Collins High School and the community.

Pet Therapy Group Medical Center of the Rockies Medical Center of the Rockies offers pet therapy visits to help patients take their minds off of their illness or injury. Currently, there are 16 volunteer teams consisting of 19 pet therapy dogs, all of whom give unconditional love and support to the patients, families, visitors and staff. Since 2007, the pet therapy team has donated more than 3,100 hours to the Medical Center. The entire therapy group has remarkable work ethic and realizes how important their visits are to making a difference in someone’s life.

Larimer County Volunteer Naturalists Larimer County Natural Resources The Larimer County Volunteer Naturalists are a group of dedicated to educating and in-stilling a passion for the outdoors in everyone who visits the natural resources. Whether it is leading school groups to Devil’s Backbone to learn about geology, working with sci-ence coordinators within the surrounding school districts to create curriculum to meet state standards or doing an education presentation, the Volunteer Naturalists change the world just by interpreting the amazing landscape around all of us. The Volunteer Natural-ists do an incredible service to Larimer County simply by sharing the joy of the outdoors with others.

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Winter Festival Committee The six members of the Winter Festival Committee worked endlessly to make the second annual Winter Festival a success. Attendance was up over 300% due to their efforts and businesses in Estes Park saw a 40% increase in traffic and sales during the festival. These six people worked countless hours to organize, communicate, publicize and bring many events that make the festival a success for the entire community.

Dave Angst Larimer County Humane Society Contrary to what his name implies, the only “angst” the shelter staff feels is when Dave is not present. His positive attitude is infectious as he brightens up any room. A booming voice and laughter let everyone know when Dave is in the building and even after he’s left, his positivity lingers. With his willingness to learn, take direction and help wherever is needed, Dave is truly helping to make a difference at the Larimer County Humane Society.

Dorothy Baumgartner Dorothy Baumgartner is a well-known Estes Park resident who has been volunteering for

decades to help the community. Her tenacious will and long hours have helped hold to-

gether EPCTS. She has the expertise to keep doors open, volunteers scheduled and

happy and do all of the accounting and book work. Her presence in Estes has been so

positive over the years that she has become essential to the community.

Carolyn Fairbanks Carolyn Fairbanks has dedicated every Monday morning to the Prospect Park Living

Center for the last 20 years, making 1040 Mondays. So many residents look forward to

her visits and taking turns holding the animals that Carolyn brings with her. Her dedica-

tion and service to the residents is overwhelming. Carolyn is a valued volunteer who’s

kindness and compassion shows through every Monday morning.

Senior Volunteer Excellence Award

For an individual or pair of volunteers age 60 or above who has shown excel-lence in volunteering in the community through dedication and advocacy.

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Harlan Ferguson Loveland Visitor Center Harlan Ferguson has been a dedicated volunteer at the Loveland Visitor Center for 10 years and a wonderful asset. He greets every visitor at the center with a friendly smile and a helping hand, as well as takes care of problems such as maintenance before he is even asked. He works weekly and is one of the first to volunteer for additional programs. Harlan’s friendly personality and dedicated nature make him an extraordinary volunteer.

Davis Glasgow Project Self-Sufficiency of Loveland-Fort Collins For many people, retirement means traveling and sleeping until noon, but for Davis Glasgow, retirement meant volunteering for Pro-ject Self-Sufficiency. In five years, Davis has clocked over 1900 hours volunteering as a high-tech specialist, refurbishing old com-puter to donate to needy families. Davis’ involvement has been sig-nificant and always willing to lend a hand, no matter what the task. Whenever he is needed, Davis happily pitches in and though he is paid in chocolate rather than dollars, Davis works with the strength of an employee, but the heart of a volunteer.

Francis Griffin United Way of Larimer County Moving to a new community is often difficult but some people, like Francis Griffin, found the transition much easier by diving in to the service community. After moving to Fort Collins in 2006, Francis began volunteering at United Way of Larimer County in 2007. She always knows exactly what to do and her dedication and hard-working attitude posi-tively affect all departments across the organization. Francis epitomizes the heart and character of volunteerism to which everyone can aspire.

Alice and Dale Harvey Alice and Dale Harvey first ask the question “what can we do to help?” Alice and Dale are always there for anyone and everything, regardless of the situation. They have survived the Great Depression, countless wars and still manage to retain their spirit and heart. Alice has been an active volunteer at the Estes Library as well hospice care and the Hid-den Valley Ski area while Dale served as a foster grandfather at Estes Park schools and volunteered removing fences and weeds. Both Alice and Dale make it their life mission to make the world a better place.

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Sandy Hill Northern Colorado Red Cross Sandy Hill joined the Northern Colorado Red Cross two and a half years ago and has since completed over 1,000 hours. Sandy works tirelessly on many volunteer opportuni-ties, such as trainings for Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Response and was vital in dealing with the Loveland fires. Sandy was one of the only volunteers who worked as a shelter worker, stayed in the shelter and cared for individuals on 12 hours shifts. After the Loveland fire, she was immediately deployed to the Boulder fire and enjoyed every second of being part of the rescue effort. Sandy is a hard-working, determined indi-vidual who epitomizes what being a volunteer is.

Vaughn Hunkins Loveland’s Community Kitchen It’s almost impossible to believe that Vaughn Hunkins is 85 years old when his energy and enthusiasm is the envy of many. Vaughn has been a member of the board of Loveland’s Community Kitchen for 10 years and also works as a regularly scheduled volunteer and grant-writer. The motto of the Kitchen is “a meal for those who are hungry, conversation for those who are lonely and rest for those who are struggling” and Vaughn’s dedication to each of those tasks is an example and inspiration to the board and the community.

Art Kimble Loveland Lions As a member of the Loveland Lions for 13 years, Art Kimble has done it all. Usually, Art volunteers to collect used eyeglasses from different locations in the city and then sends them to be refurbished to be sent to foreign countries for people in need of glasses. Addi-tionally, Art also takes care of and stores the club equipment for pancake breakfasts the club provides throughout the year. He is always ready to serve the club in any capacity and also volunteers with Sculpture in the Park, the Valentine’s Day re-mailing and Meals on Wheels. He is a dedicated volunteer.

John Krueger John Krueger’s contributions to the Estes community show outstanding volunteer leader-

ship. In his quiet, unassuming manner, he has used his intelligence and abilities to im-

prove the Estes Park library, assisted Crossroads Ministry and guided groups of people

on educational treks in the mountains. He is a problem solver and a very rare kind of

volunteer.

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Lindsay Lamson Lindsay Lamson was recently appointed to the LMD Board of Estes Park. He is involved

in the community and operates numerous different lodging facilities in addition to per-

formed property management services on houses throughout Estes Park. Lindsay has

made a success of his businesses in Estes and is not afraid to share his knowledge and

experience with others.

Marcella Lanting Meals on Wheels for Loveland and Berthoud Marcella Lanting started volunteering for Meals on Wheels in 1994 and to date, has de-voted over 1,000 hours packing an estimated 31,000 meals. Additionally, Marcella is one of the founding members and the first president of Sigma Rho, the Colorado chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Intl, a service organization that has helped St. Jude’s, Easter Seals and Hope for Heroes. Every year, Sigma Rho prepares and serves 200 Meals on Wheels, because of Marcella. She is truly an inspiration to many.

Christine LaVake Loveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore Christine LaVake has been volunteering at the Loveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore for more than four years and has become a valued member of the Habitat family. She is en-thusiastic, dedicated and is often sought out for advice, a friendly chat or as a guiding force by other volunteers. Her dedication was recently illustrated when a broken foot did not stop her from fulfilling her volunteer hour obligation. Christine exemplifies the selfless nature of a key volunteer who makes Loveland Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore possible year after year.

Alice League Alice League has been an Estes Park resident for 15 years and has volunteered widely in

the community. She is active in PEO and Columbines of Estes. As an artist member of

the Art Club, Alice has provided orientation leadership to new artists and board members,

established and updates comprehensive policies and procedures manual and contributes

to program development. She is highly respected by her peers and is an outstanding rep-

resentative of Estes Park.

Gary Lihudis Loveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore For the Loveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Gary Lihudis is the “go-to” man because there is never a job or project that Gary cannot complete. Gary selflessly gives many hours of his time improving the store, being a handy man and serving on the ReStore committee. For more than four years, Gary has helped improve ReStore and is always working to enhance the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

Dixie Lloyd Alpha Center A six year volunteer of the Alpha Center, Dixie Lloyd is incredibly faithful, answering phones and greeting clients on a weekly basis with grace and kindness. Dixie is always happy to help no matter what task she is assigned and never seeks acknowledgement for her hard work. She is quiet, hardworking and a stable anchor amid the bustle of a non-profit.

Janet McKeen Janet McKeen has volunteered in many capacities during her life in Estes Park. She makes many contributions to the education system and has recently volunteered with the Estes Park Police and Bright Christmas. She is a true asset to Estes Park and a very special volunteer.

Peggy Miller New Friendships Club of Loveland Peggy Miller joined the New Friendships Club in 1996 after moving to Loveland from Denver. This year, Peggy has donated 415 hours for the New Friendships Club. Most of Peggy’s hours come from the McKee Thrift Store and from covering the visitor’s desk at the hospital every week. Come rain or snow, Peggy is always available to help and al-ways with a smile.

Dick Minor New Friendships Club of Loveland Dick Minor joined the New Friendships Club in 2006 and has donated more than 575 hours in 2010 alone, many of which came from him work with the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. Through his involvement in that raptor program, Dick has brought attention to this group that saves injured birds. Additionally, Dick and his dog volunteer at the McKee Medical Center Therapy Dog program, proving that, not only Dick, but everyone who is around him gives back to the community.

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Marilyn Moore Volunteers of America Working as a caregiver is difficult, and as a volunteer for the Caring Companion Program at Volunteers of America, Marilyn Moore knows exactly how they feel. Marilyn volunteers as a caring and compassionate friend and her heart of gold makes her perfect for the job. Marilyn can truly empathize with what clients go through and the lives she has touched have been changed forever. Marilyn is a warrior, and is the epitome of what many organizations look for in a volunteer.

Louise Olson Louise Olson has made many contributions to the Estes Park community through volun-teering on committees, through Estes CARES, Catholic Charities and many other organi-zations. Her modesty is matched only by her energy and creativity and she is constantly giving to any organization that needs it. She is a friendly, smiling face to many, especially everyone’s life she has touched.

Stella O’Neill United Way of Larimer County A long-term volunteer, Stella O’Neill has been volunteering with United Way of Larimer County for almost 11 years. Her hardworking attitude and dedication is priceless. Stella frequently assists with filing and managing accounts, as well as mailings outside of her scheduled time, during which she regularly coerces her friends into helping as well. She always has a smiling face and cheery attitude that infect the atmosphere of the office. A dedicated, committed, and friendly volunteer, Stella epitomizes what it is to give.

Sandy Osterman Sandy Osterman has been an involved Estes resident by regularly participating in and

attending meetings for the town, valley or county. She has been volunteering regularly in

a National Park and uses her experience to improve client-staff interactions. She is a

wonderful representation of Estes Park.

Ernie Pope Larimer County Natural Resources Volunteer coordinators dream about volunteers who are willing and available to do multi-ple jobs, always coming up with ideas of how to be more efficient and always showing up with a smile. For the Larimer County Natural Resources, this is Ernie Pope. Ernie does whatever job is asked of him, from volunteering as a Volunteer Ranger Assistant, Rattle-snake Monitor, Photographer and even an advisor. His wonderful sense of humor and twinkle in his eye make him an outstanding person and an extraordinary volunteer.

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Ross Sackman SAINT Ross Sackman has volunteered for the Loveland SAINT program since 2003. In those nine years, Ross has provided over a thousand rides to disabled and elderly Loveland residents. In 2010, Ross was presented with the SAINT “Lifesaver Award,” an award that goes to a volunteer who always comes through last minutes as a replacement driver. He is the “go-to” man for SAINT because he not only says yes, but does so with a smile.

Bill Rosquist Thompson Valley High School, Center of Adult Learning As a math tutor, Bill Rosquist has served well over a hundred students this year alone. He provides a welcoming environment and works patiently with students of all different abilities. Bill is very easy to work with and communicates with teachers as well, in order to ensure that the children are succeeding. He always provides useful feedback from his tutoring sessions and is able to connect positively with many students, making him an excellent volunteer.

Craig Robinson Thompson Valley High School Craig Robinson has been volunteering with Thompson Valley High School for several years and can always be counted on to be there again. As a math tutor, Craig has served hundreds of students this year alone and works in subjects ranging from Algebra to Chemistry. He exhibits a genuine interest in the education of Thompson Valley children and his work with students is admirable and refreshing. His positive attitude is contagious and he continues to shine as a volunteer.

Dottie Schroeder House of Neighborly Service Since beginning her service at the House of Neighborly Service in 1999, Dottie Schroeder has donated more than 1,800 hours of volunteerism over 12 years. Dottie is vital in creat-ing new client files that entails preparing, color coding and organizing. Dottie is incredible faithful in her position and rarely misses a day, even to go on vacation. She is so dedi-cated to her work that she will come in on an extra day if there is too much to get done during her regular volunteer time. Dottie always has a smile on her face and a great sense of humor that makes her a wonderful volunteer.

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Mary Jo Seifert As a community member and a volunteer, Mary Jo Seifert is exemplary. In 2010, she donated more than 687 hours of service to the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Park Museum Friends and Foundation, Inc. Additionally, Mary Jo is a leader on the board of EPMFF and works on the museum front lines greeting visitors once a week. She initiates projects that must get done and is not afraid to recruit teammates when it’s more than a one-woman job. The Estes Park Museum community is grateful for Mary Jo’s help.

Naomi Slotts Chilson Senior Center Naomi Slotts began volunteering at Chilson Senior Center 22 years ago and the amount of hours she has donated is infinite. Naomi is extremely dedicated to her position and hardly ever misses a day, despite being 85 years old. She knits and crochets baby hats for newborns at McKee Hospital and is an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She has an ability to make everyone feel important and greets everyone with a smile and a hug.

Kay Thomas McKee Medical Center Kay Thomas has been volunteering at McKee Medical Center since 2000 and has do-nated over 3,300 hours of volunteer work. As a volunteer at the Surgery Center Guest Relations desk, Kay manages interacting with staff, families, doctors and patients in a very fast-paced environment. This position requires volunteers to be wonderful with peo-ple waiting anxiously for loved ones to get out of surgery and Kay serves as a positive presence in their lives. She is dedicated and infects everyone with her “can-do” attitude.

Garin VanDeMark Poudre Wilderness Volunteers As a founding member of the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, Garin VanDeMark knows first-hand the importance that volunteers have on the environment. Garin is a dedicated outdoors volunteer, leading with both ideas and action. He is always ready to share his knowledge and insights, gladly lending a hand wherever is needed. For the past 16 years, he has devoted countless hours to conducting, teaching and advocating public land stewardship and responsible backpacking travel and behavior. Garin continuously proves to be an inspiration to all volunteers.

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John Everitt Cullins Department of Natural Resources, Soldiers Angels, Forest Service, Department of Wildlife and Poudre School District John Cullins has been volunteering since he was four years old and has already logged more than 500 hours of service. John has been participating in activities such as planting trees, writing letters to soldiers and packing soldier care pack-ages. John lives and breathes volunteerism. At nine years old, John has a mature view of the community, the land sur-rounding him and the idea that there is something more than just us.

Marilyn Vergoth Marilyn Vergoth has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer at Estes Park Medical Center

since 2001 and is as knowledgeable as any of the employees. Her motto is: “I am ready

to help where help is needed and ready to serve where service is wanted.” She is one of

the most visible volunteers and will go out of her way to provide assistance. Marilyn

makes an impact on everyone she helps and is a wonderful representation of a volunteer.

Nathan Gallo McKee Medical Center High school students usually have a lot going on, but Nathan Gallo makes time to spend his free time volunteering with McKee Medical Center. Nathan helps with clerical work and also as a Sunshine Cart volunteer, where he visits patients and gives them gifts from the sunshine cart. An avid piano player, Nathan has also offered to play for the patients, which has been warmly received. Nathan is a caring, dependable and exceptional volun-teer with an infectious smile that brightens the day of everyone around him.

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Linda Nerger Youth Excellence Award

For an individual or pair of volunteers under 18 who have performed out-standing volunteer service and encourages others to volunteer through their

attitudes and actions.

Mercedes Slack Catholic Charities In 2010, Mercedes Slack volunteered in Alternative Spring Break for the second year and demonstrated herself to be a “stand out” student, always participating in every service activity during the day. Additionally, Mercedes volunteers at Catholic Charities and has made a huge impact on the organization and those in need. Mercedes inspires her peers to get involved with service and her positivity brings light to everyone who meets her.

Cierra Henderson Live United Fort Collins High School Many high school youth are worried about a vast array of problems other than serving their community. Cierra Henderson, however, is not one of them. This past year, Cierra was unanimously elected President of Live United and has taken on many volunteering projects, such as making blankets for Project Linus and making a Thanksgiving dinner for a local fire department. Cierra’s organizational skills and desire to help her community make her a perfect example of a wonderful leader and volunteer.

Bethany Ramus Alpha Center As a volunteer for the Alpha Center for almost two years, Bethany Ramus has displayed incredible re-sponsibility for someone her age. Always cheerful, Bethany comes every week and never questions a task that has been assigned to her whether it’s shredding paper or even dusting. Through her commitment to the Alpha Center, Bethany relieves the staff of duties so

they can better help clientele. With a positive attitude, an unmatched motivation and a smile, Bethany exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer.

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A Special Thanks To:

Estes Park Pride Awards

Loveland Honors

State of the Community

Documents

National Volunteer Month - Volunteer Spotlights