United Way of
 Bemidji Area


 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

Week of Caring
Coats for the Community
Someone Special Volunteer Recognition Program
Stamp Out Hunger! Letter Carriers Food Drive
Inspire by Example Bemidji Volunteer Recognition
Senior Community Clean Up Day
Holiday Gifts For Kids

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 

 
 


"Inspire by Example" Volunteer Recognition

In its 19th year, the Bemidji Volunteer Directors and the United Way of Bemidji Area recognizes the following volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to enhance lives and strengthen the Bemidji community:

 

 

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 are being recognized throughout the Bemidji community as this year’s “Inspire by Example” Bemidji Group Volunteer of the Year for their involvement, advocacy and inspirational dedication in being available at the times when sexual assault victims and survivors need support, and for lending a hand when the Sexual Assault Program needs extra help with day to day operations.

The Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates were nominated by Kim Zimmerman, advocacy services coordinator of Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass & Hubbard Counties. 

Volunteers with the Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates average 5 years of services.  One of the volunteers, Jane Baker, has been with the program since inception, 30 years.  In 2007, the volunteer group logged 9,345 hours of volunteer time on the Crisis Line.  The volunteers are willing to be called to the ER at a moment’s notice to provide a victim the support and information they need to make decisions regarding healthcare and reporting.  The volunteers provide community education to groups, prison inmates, and schools.  In addition, volunteers meet and provide support to survivors at chemical dependency treatment facilities because for many victims use is the only way they know how to escape the pain of the abuse. 

In recognition of the Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate’s impact, Kim wrote, “It’s our volunteer advocates that give victims/survivors the much needed lifeline to sanity and healing. Imagine what goes through the mind of the volunteer when the phone rings, they know the nature of the call, but that doesn’t always prepare one for the details you will hear; they literally hold that persons spirit in their hands.  What they do and say makes a difference for that caller to move from victim to survivor.”
 

2008 Youth Volunteer of the Year
MEGAN BLANCHETTE

Nominated by:  Tricia Andrews
Megan Blanchette is being recognized throughout the Bemidji community as this year’s “Inspire by Example” Bemidji Youth Volunteer of the Year for her exemplary efforts to make an impact in our community, her humanitarianism and advocacy in building awareness for worthwhile causes, and her teen outreach efforts.

Megan was nominated by Tricia Andrews, Girls Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines. 

Megan is a senior at Bemidji High School and has been a volunteering for almost four years.  During her freshmen year of high school she started co-organizing concert benefits for House of Hospitality with Aimee Fredrickson.  The benefit has led to larger benefit projects and concerts being planned each year.  The most recent concert benefit raised $1200 for the charity Global Impact and raised awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.   Megan is actively involved in Teen Outreach, a high school interest group sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines.  As a volunteer with the Teen Outreach program, Megan presents to other girls in the community about issues facing young girls.  She also took part in the Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF) Pay It Forward Tour 2007, where she traveled along with 30 other high school and college students to five different cities, in five days, doing community service projects.

As part Megan’s nomination Tricia wrote, “Megan has proven herself to be a thoughtful, resourceful and caring young woman. She truly makes a difference in our community.  She’s committed to helping others in need and is very dedicated to volunteer and community service work.  She has shown great leadership skills as president of the Environmental Club and through all of her experiences with event planning as well as her position as a group leader on the STLF Pay It Forward Tour.”  



2008 Volunteer of the Year
MIKE ZIMMERMAN

Nominated by: 
Kim Zimmerman

Mike has been a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Program for nine years and transferred his First Responder duties from Park Rapids three years ago.  He is an inaugural member of the Men as Peacemakers local chapter.  Men as Peacemakers, enables a man to reflect his personal value for peace, share the challenges of living a nonviolent life, take responsibility for preventing violence and redefine what it is to be strong through caring, compassion, respect, responsibility and serving. Mike also recently joined the Bemidji sector of Minnesota Patriot Guards, a diverse group of riders and individuals who have tremendous respect for those who risk their lives every day, whether on American soil or abroad, in securing our nation's freedoms and liberties.

In 2007, Mike logged 1360 volunteer hours with the Sexual Assault Program and crisis line.  As part Mike’s nomination Kim wrote, “A male advocate is a unique gift for female callers.  To hear and speak with a compassionate male that believes them, often gives them enhanced healing and hope.  Insight that not ‘all men are evil’ can make the difference for that caller to move from victim to survivor.  Mike also has worked with male secondary victims, giving them a male perspective on how to be supportive to their female loved ones who have just experienced a horrific deal.  His presence and advocacy throughout the community makes an impact on what is often wrongly thought of as a ‘women’s issue’.”  Mike also assists with general maintenance around the office, attends trainings to further his knowledge of sexual violence, and generously participates wherever and whenever he is needed. 


2008 Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism Recipient
LOIS JENKINS

Nominated by:  Rebecca Hoffman

Lois Jenkins has been honored with the 2008 “Inspire by Example” Bemidji Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism award for her unselfish, sustained and extraordinary commitment to the community; her willingness to develop meaningful relationships with students; her inspirational leadership; and strong advocacy for creating a better quality of life for our area homeless, youth, and low-income families.  

Lois was nominated by Rebecca Hoffman, executive director, Ours to Serve House of Hospitality. 

Lois has been serving the Bemidji community since 1965 with a heartfelt spirit and determination to truly make a difference in people’s lives.  She has been an instrumental part of Laketrails Base Camp, Inc. for the last 43 years, serving as a teenage wilderness camp guide; summer cook, food manager and year-round camp director; board of trustees president and board of trustees secretary.  Lois was a founding organizer of Ours to Serve House of Hospitality in 1985 and has been actively involved ever since.  She has served as a member of the board of directors since 1996, including terms as president and treasurer; she is the weekly volunteer meal coordinator; and Bags of Wishes annual student project facilitator.  Today, she is committed and focused on building a new family shelter in Bemidji.  From 1993-2007, Lois served as founding coordinator, student group advisor, organized and attended spring break work groups; organized state-wide work camps and managed student service projects and fundraisers for Bemidji State University Habitat for Humanity.  In addition, Lois has played an instrumental role in the creation of many human service organizations throughout our community; she is a founding organizer of Habitat for Humanity, Bemidji Soup Kitchen, Community Holiday Meals, and the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.  Her commitment doesn’t end there, from 1977-1997, Lois was a founding board member, treasurer, secretary, race volunteer and awards ceremony program organizer for Minnesota Finlandia.           

“Lois is a one-of-a-kind individual.  She inspires others with her sense of social justice and her ability to bring about true changes in our community.  I am the product of Lois’s willingness to develop meaningful relationships with students through her service to the community and her willingness to mentor new service leaders who work for social change and the betterment of the community in which we live.  This award is years overdue for Lois Jenkins,” said Rebecca Hoffman.   


2008 Family Volunteer of the Year

RENN FAMILY (Theresa, Greg, Mikiah, Anna, and Levi Renn)

Nominated by:  Sandy Hennum

Greg and Theresa Renn, along with their children, Levi, Mikiah, and Anna Renn are being recognized throughout the Bemidji community as this year’s “Inspire by Example” Bemidji Volunteer Family of the Year for their on-going involvement, inspirational support and companionship they generously provide to the residents of Neilson Place.

The Renn Family was nominated by Sandy Hennum, Neilson Place Volunteer Coordinator.  Neilson Place is
North Country Hospital’s nursing and rehabilitation caring center for the elderly.

The Renn Family has been volunteering at the Neilson Place for almost 5 years.  In nominating the family for this award, Sandy explained, “The Renn family is dedicated and has continued to maintain friendships throughout the years, providing ongoing support.  They come in during the days, evenings and weekends.  Having the opportunity to interact with the children allows for normal everyday life and spontaneous events to take place.  This relieves boredom and gives residents something to look forward to.  This family truly supports the mission of ‘creating opportunities for living’ as they share their energy with us.  As a busy family of 5 it would be easy to want to spend your time doing other things, as in this society we have many options, but the residents of Neilson Place are a top priority for them.  The smiles from the residents and the way their faces light up when they walk into their room, is a true testimony of their dedication.  They certainly inspire by example and the children are learning a valuable lesson about volunteering that will carry on for their lifetime.”

  
The volunteers will be recognized throughout the community and in local media during National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3.

Special thanks to our 2008 selection committee: 
Gary Johnson, Sue Doeden, Mary Allen and Ann Daley.