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"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.
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