Ref. 3184

Blanche Hogen, of Northwood, received the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award.

Over 70 North Central Iowa RSVP volunteers were recognized for their generous donation of time and talents helping elementary and middle school students in the North Iowa region.  “Your purpose can be found through volunteering…you DO make a difference,” Dr. Karen Pierson, vice president of Student Development and Success, said during her keynote speech on volunteerism.

Volunteers were honored during a special luncheon celebration held Thursday, May 13, on the NIACC campus.  Dr. Debra Derr, president of NIACC, welcomed the volunteers to the celebration with an invitation to revive and relax as they enjoyed a ‘Go Green’ inspired meal, complete with piano entertainment.  “We welcome the national program to NIACC and truly appreciate the work of our volunteers,” stated Derr.  “We’re here to celebrate and I want to thank each of you.”

Blanche Hogen, of Northwood, received the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award, a national service award which is earned by volunteers who donate 500 or more lifetime volunteer service hours.  From the time she became a volunteer with RSVP in 2002, Hogan has donated 578 lifetime service hours and has worked with the Reading Buddy program since 2004.

Silver awards (250 to 499 lifetime service hours) and Bronze awards (100 to 249 lifetime service hours) were presented to the following volunteers:

Silver
Britt: Jean Sheets 
Bricelyn, MN:  Beverly Aalgaard 
Buffalo Center: John Laflen, Joe Angstman
Northwood:  Frances Lawhorn, Thelma Krull-Boutelle 
Thompson: Shirley Miller

Bronze
Britt:  Darrell Schaper, Esther Higdon, Leola Nedved, Lois DeLeon, Norma Burgardt, Teresa Leerar, Carol Rork
Buffalo Center:  Betty Coxson, Betty Elman, Pam Angstman
Forest City: Buzz Burnham, Dolores Blake, JoAnn Bartleson, Judy Anderson, Karolyn Overlie, Miriam Rogness, Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson, Ron Kvale
Garner:  Jan Hana, Kathy Gibbs, Kay Mestad, Lavon Brown, Louise Piper, Linda Hoppel, Nellie Bird, Patricia Pool 
Hanlontown:  Joyce Calgaard
Joice:  Valeda Abbey 
Klemme:  Dorothy Denny
Lake Mills:  Marietta Norris, Phyllis Moen
Mason City: Bonnie McCoy, Charlotte Locher, Marie Borchardt, Peg Hugo, Ruth Geilenfeld, Stan Olson 
Northwood: Dorothy Sherrard, Marcia Kraft

“RSVP receives tremendous support from the North Iowa community including our Advisory Council,” Molly Anderegg, RSVP director, said.  Retiring Advisory Council members recognized for their contributions to the program included: Jan Anderson (Joice), Dennis May (Kensett), Beth Nyguard (Lake Mills) and Pam Angstman (Buffalo Center). 

“I have been with the Advisory Council for about seven years now and will miss it,” said Angstman, Advisory Council chair. “I believe in RSVP and the good work volunteers are doing in our communities.” Angstman plans to continue serving as a Reading Buddy and Reading Coach in Buffalo Center because she truly enjoys it and believes the program makes a difference.

RSVP Advisory Council members, and hosts for the recognition event, included:  Jan Anderson, of Joice; Adriana Attleson, Tim Fleming, Craig Hickok and Coni Samsel, of Mason City; Pam Angstman of Buffalo Center; Tony Coloff and Mike Ebaugh, of Forest City; Joan Hanson of Garner; Beth Nyguard of Lake Mills; Brenda Hanson of Britt; Andy Hill of Manly; John Severtson of Clear Lake; and Dennis May of Kensett. 

For more information on RSVP of North Central Iowa, visit www.niacc.edu/rsvp/ or contact 1-888-466-4222, ext. 4256, 641-422-4256, or email to rsvp@niacc.edu.  RSVP of North Central Iowa serves the counties of Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago and Worth as they respond to priority community needs by providing meaningful, purposeful volunteer opportunities for people ages 55 and over.

RSVP is sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College and is partly funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, State of Iowa, United Way of North Central Iowa and local county governments.

#####