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"Inspire by
Example" Volunteer Recognition
In its 21st year, the Bemidji Volunteer Directors and the United Way
of Bemidji Area will recognize volunteers who dedicate their time and
talents to enhance lives and strengthen the Bemidji community during
National Volunteer Week, April 18-24.
Nomination forms can be downloaded below for 2010 Volunteer of the
Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Group of the Year,
Volunteer Family of the Year and Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATION: March 5,
2010
Congratulations
to the 2009 volunteers!
Special thanks to our 2009
selection committee:
Lois Jenkins, Mike Zimmerman and Ruth Sherman
 2009
Volunteer of the Year
PHYLLIS
"P.J." CASINELLI
Nominated by:
Steven
Strassuer
Phyllis “P.J.” Casinell has been named this year’s
Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer of the Year for the dedication of
time and volunteer services she offers the Habitat for Humanity
ReStore and the community, her compassion for others, loyalty, and her
willingness to go above and beyond to support the Northwoods Habitat
for Humanity mission.
The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program,
in its 20th year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji
Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors. In March, a selection
committee, which included Ruth Sherman, Lois Jenkins and Mike
Zimmerman reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose PJ as the
volunteer who best met and exceeded the award criteria.
PJ
was nominated by Steve Strasser, manager of the Northwoods Habitat for
Humanity ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical, grass-roots Christian ministry
with the goal of eliminating poverty housing worldwide.
Northwoods Habitat for Humanity builds houses in Beltrami and
Clearwater counties through volunteer labor and donations of money and
materials. Habitat for Humanity partners with families in need
to build simple, decent housing. The houses are sold to partner
families at no profit and are financed with no-interest mortgages.
Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to making a down
payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowner families invest
hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building
their houses and the houses of others. The ReStore is a surplus
and re-use store that accepts and sells new and gently used building
materials, appliances, and furniture donated from individuals,
contractors and suppliers. Profits generated by the ReStore go toward
building Habitat for Humanity homes in Beltrami and Clearwater
counties- furthering to eliminate poverty housing.
PJ has been a volunteer with the
ReStore for two and half years. She helped open, organize, and
price items from the very beginning. She was instrumental in
making the ReStore a reality in Bemidji, offering insight into
business and a solid knowledge of items that the ReStore sells.
PJ volunteers a minimum of 10 hours a week. Her main volunteer
work centers around the customer service counter, but her talents
extend well beyond. She ensures that customers and other
volunteers feel welcomed and valued. She takes the initiative to
keep the ReStore clean, organized and safe. In addition,
she helps train new volunteers and served on the ReStore’s Public
Relations committee.
As part of PJ’s nomination Steve Strasser wrote, “Her
value is truly in her dedication to our cause of selling reusable
items to the public so that Habitat for Humanity can build more
affordable housing for people in the community. She is
dependable, showing up early to open the store and staying late to
close the ReStore. She puts in 100 percent into every task, even
though she does not get paid a cent to do so. Her belief in our
mission and our purpose is very clear, and her dedication to her
volunteer work at the ReStore and for Habitat for Humanity is above
all else.”
 2009
Youth Volunteer of the Year
BEAU BRAUN
Nominated by: Capt.
Robin Helgager
Beau Braun is being recognized
throughout the Bemidji community as this year’s Bemidji “Inspire by
Example” Youth Volunteer of the Year for his dedication in serving
others in need, exemplary leadership skills and outreach efforts to
make an impact in our community.
The Bemidji Inspire by
Example Volunteer award program, in its 20th year, is
sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer
Directors. In March, a selection committee, which included Ruth
Sherman, Lois Jenkins and Mike Zimmerman reviewed the nomination forms
submitted and chose Beau as the youth volunteer who best met and
exceeded the award criteria.
Beau was nominated by Captain Robin
Helgager, Commander, Northland Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol.
Civil Air Patrol has three mandated components: Cadet Programs,
Emergency Services, and Aerospace Education. The squadron is a
leadership laboratory for young people to learn self esteem and
confidence while becoming leaders. In addition, they are a
strong partner in the community through educating youth about
community service, serving other agencies in need of manpower support
and providing hands-on assistance at large community events.
Beau has been volunteering in the
Bemidji community for over five years. He is immensely involved
in his church, his community and Civil Air Patrol. At
church, he serves as an Alter server and Priest assistant, serves
meals and helps at church functions when needed. In his
neighborhood, he lends a hand to the elderly and disabled, helping
them with various house chores. Beau is actively involved with a
variety of community service projects that the Northland Composite
Squadron takes part in, including, but not limited to: the 4th
of July Parade, Beltrami County Fair
Fire Tower Watch, Jaycees Waterfront Carnival, Wreaths Across America,
Holiday Gifts for Kids,
and the Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative Celebration. He is the
Bravo Flight Commander for the
Squadron, a challenging leadership position over a flight of eight
cadets. Beau’s proactive and responsible leadership approach
enables him to gain the utmost respect of everyone around him.
Capt. Robin Helgager commented, “He is particularly gifted in
mentoring younger Cadets who need encouragement and an older male to
look up to. Beau is a young man of integrity who is an excellent
example to our program. His maturity, selflessness and
integrity set him apart as a youth volunteer. He absolutely is a
deserving volunteer of this award!”
 2009
Group Volunteer of the Year
NORTH COUNTRY HOSPICE
Nominated by:
Kay Udey
North Country Hospice volunteers:
Pat Lindseth, Margaret Griebel, Elaine Christensen, Mary Melchoir and
Judy Lee
are being honored with this year’s Bemidji Inspire by Example Group
Volunteer of the Year for their involvement, longevity of service,
advocacy, compassion, and inspirational dedication in being a support
system for those facing the last days of their life.
The Bemidji Inspire by
Example Volunteer award program, in its 20th year, is
sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer
Directors. In March, a selection committee, which included Ruth
Sherman, Lois Jenkins and Mike Zimmerman reviewed the nomination forms
submitted and chose North Country Hospice as the volunteer group who
best met and exceeded the award criteria.
The North Country Hospice volunteers
were nominated by Kay Udey, volunteer coordinator, North Country
Hopice. Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative
treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. The program
provides skilled nursing care, medical social services, home health
aides, volunteers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, nutritional counseling, bereavement services, medication and
durable medical equipment.
The volunteers being recognized, have
each served with the Hospice program for more than 25 years. The
volunteers provide direct visits with hospice patients and families
offering nursing skills, respite services, homemaker chores, emotional
support and socialization. In addition to volunteering with
North Country Hospice, the volunteers offer their time and talent
elsewhere in the community, volunteering with their churches, North
Country Regional Hospital and have volunteered for Hospice programs in other
communities.
In recognition of the North Country
Hospice volunteer group’s impact, Kay wrote, “to have five volunteers
offer the level of commitment they provide to Hospice is remarkable
and a true benefit. The volunteers acknowledge that it is an
honor to be with patients and families at the end of life and tell us
that as a Hospice volunteer they find it personally gratifying and
emotionally meaningful – they feel like they receive more from the
experience than they give.”
 2009
Family Volunteer of the Year
SCHRADER FAMILY
Nominated by: Capt. Robin Helgager
John and Patti Schrader, along with
their children, David, Danielle, Kristin, Rebekah, Lydia, Simon and
Laura have been named as this year’s Bemidji Inspire by Example
Volunteer Family of the Year for their inspirational support,
leadership skills and compassion they generously offer to the others
in the community.
The Bemidji Inspire by
Example Volunteer award program, in its 20th year, is
sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer
Directors. In March, a selection committee, which included Ruth
Sherman, Lois Jenkins and Mike Zimmerman reviewed the nomination forms
submitted and chose the Schrader Family as the volunteer family who
best met and exceeded the award criteria.
The Schrader Family was nominated by
Captain Robin Helgager, Commander, Northland Composite Squadron, Civil
Air Patrol.
The Schrader Family has been
volunteering in the community for over 20 years. In nominating the
family for this award, Capt. Helgager explained, “The Schrader family
is a great addition to our program. When a family of nine shows
up to help, things get done! When the Schrader family makes a
commitment to a program, they work as a family. In their Civil
Air Patrol volunteer work, John is the Safety Officer, Patti is the
Administration Officer, their daughter, Danielle is our Recruiting
Officer and Kristin and Rebekah hold Flight Officer positions.
The commitment and leadership they bring to our program is phenomenal
and so much appreciated. The family has a great work ethic,
cheerful and encouraging spirit.” The Schrader family tutors
cadets and has played an instrumental role in expanding the Civil Air
Patrol’s Emergency Services Department.
The family performs countless hours of
community service each month. They helped clear sod from
Veteran’s graves at Greenwood Cemetery, volunteered at the Beltrami
County Fair, helped with Holiday Gifts for Kids distribution, have
helped with the Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative Celebration, and
have participated in various Color Guard events.
The Schrader family’s additional community endeavors include regularly
volunteering at a local nursing home, serving snacks and coffee;
working with youth groups at their church; assisting their elderly
neighbors with shoveling snow and other yard work; and serving as 4H
leaders
 2009
Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism
STEVE
INKEL
Nominated by: Erin Jalloh
Steve
Inkel, President of Diversified Builders and Design, has been honored
with the 2009 Bemidji Inspire by Example Lifetime Achievement in
Volunteerism award for his over 35 years of sustained, exceptional,
and heartfelt commitment to volunteering which has profoundly
influenced many lives and contributed to the well-being of the Bemidji
community.
The
“Inspire by Example” Bemidji Volunteer award program, in its 20th
year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji
Volunteer Directors. In March, a selection committee, which
included Ruth Sherman, Lois Jenkins and Mike Zimmerman reviewed the
nomination forms submitted and chose Steve as the volunteer who best
met and exceeded the award criteria.
Steve
was nominated by Erin Jalloh, executive director, Voyageurs Area
Council Boy Scouts of America. “Steve has brought our Boy Scouts
program together and helped it flourish within the community. He
is known for his strong leadership and his ability to get things done.
Whether it may be another adult volunteer or a youth involved in the
program, Steve has always been there when someone needed an extra
hand.”
Steve
has been a registered Boy Scout for the past 47 year, serving as a
Merit Badge Counselor, Commissioner with Troop 25, and Scout Master
for Troop 25, First Presbyterian Church and Troop 82 Calvary Lutheran
Church. Steve served as adult staff leader for two trips to the
National Scout Jamboree and two trips to the Philmont Scout Ranch, a
high adventure camp operated by the Boy Scouts of America in Cimmarron,
New Mexico. He negotiated the lease of 26 acres of forest
in the middle of Chippewa National Forest on Cass Lake, forming
Voyageurs Area Council, “Camp Nushka”. In
fall 2006, Steve was instrumental in assisting with a year
long project to disassemble the decommissioned Bemidji Lookout Fire
Tower and reassemble it on the grounds of Northern Lights Council, BSA,
Camp Wilderness, Park Rapids. Steve also personally
donated a camp shelter at Camp Wilderness. Steve currently
serves as a Voyageurs Area Council executive board member, Paul Bunyan
area District Training Chair, Caretaker of Camp Nushka, is involved in
monthly troop campouts, and devotes his time providing leadership and
expertise whenever needed.
Steve
served as a Bemidji Fireman for 25 years, which included 8 years as a
training officer, 10 years on the executive committee, and 20 years as
an EMT through the fire Dept. and North Country First Responders.
Steve is a founding member of the Headwaters Builders Association,
serving as a board member for the past 22 years, President of the
Association for 2 ½ year, and served as a board of director for the
Minnesota Builders Association for 19 years. Steve played
an active role in helping with the Habitat for Humanity one-week blitz
build last year as well as many other Habitat for Humanity projects
over the years. Fifteen years ago, in collaboration with the
Headwaters Builders Association, Steve began the Crasper Smoke
Detector program in memory of three children who lost their life in a
house fire. The program provided smoke detector educational
outreach to the community through area schools and provided over 400
free smoke detectors to low income families and the elderly.
In the
late 1980s, Steve co-founded the Bemidji Sailing Association with John
Fylpaa, teaching basic and advanced sailing through Bemidji Community
Ed for 10 years. He was also an original member of Minnesota
Finlandia Ski board of Directors, serving as Chief of Medical for six
years and on the National Ski Patrol on the Nordic Squad, helping take
care of trails prior to the formation of the Bemidji Ski Club.
Currently, Steve’s community-oriented endeavors include serving as an
Eagles Club member, Bemidji Ski Club member and member of the
Headwaters Canoe Club.
Steve is
a Bemidji Area Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow Member (Rotarian
members who contribute $1,000 or more). Steve embodies the
Rotary motto of Service Above Self by contributing his time and
talents whenever asked. He helped refurbish the Rotary Pavilion
about 7 years ago, assisted with the Bemidji Area playground projects,
annually helps build the Rotary playhouse and volunteers with Dragon
Boat festival.
Steve is
married to Vicki Inkel. They have one son, Ehren, who is a
senior at University of Minnesota Duluth.
Congratulations to the
2008 volunteers!
2008
Group Volunteer of the Year
SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM ADVOCATES
Nominated by:
Kim Zimmerman
The
Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates:
Jane Baker, Fay Yochum, Mike Zimmerman,
Heidi Ball, Lisa Sandretzky, Cheyenne Velazquez, Jamie Dominick, Carly
Anderson, Sandy Cook, Jenna Pulkrabek, Sara Walters, Denise Simon,
Lisa Robbins, Brenda Kolling, Beka Majava, Jayne Hanson, Hazel
Erickson, Diane
Edstrom, Samantha Warner, Breanna Priebe, Dawn Eckdahl, Tammy
Waldhausen, and
Asya Gewont.
2008 Youth Volunteer of the Year
MEGAN BLANCHETTE
2008
Volunteer of the Year
MIKE
ZIMMERMAN
Nominated by:
Kim Zimmerman
2008 Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism
Recipient
LOIS JENKINS
Nominated by: Rebecca Hoffman
2008 Family Volunteer of the Year
RENN FAMILY (Theresa, Greg, Mikiah, Anna, and Levi Renn)
Nominated by: Sandy Hennum
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