United Way Volunteer Connection
presents
To coincide with National Volunteer Week, United Way Volunteer Connection is pleased to announce the 2008-09 WE Awards winners. Nominations were accepted in four categories and the winners were selected by a committee of eight community members.
Despite the difficulty of selecting from the many strong entries received this year, the following honorees clearly exemplify what the WE Awards stand for—honoring those who give their time, share their talents, and put WE before me to make a better life in Marathon County. Congratulations! Honorees are:
 Youth: Hands to Hands 2nd Graders Mrs. Miller's 2nd grade at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School is in their third year of sharing hand massages and stories with residents at Wausau Manor. The class receives training from a professional massage therapist, learns communication skills with seniors and discusses what to expect when visiting a nursing home. The class then makes visits 4x/semester. The reactions of the seniors are amazing—they love the contact with the children!
 Adult: Reese AarthunOver the last 10 years, Reese's caring nature and creative talents have touched patient and family lives at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services (ACCHS). Whether she is baking cookies or favorite meals for Hospice House residents, organizing a New Years Eve buffet for patients and families to share the holiday together, or lending a compassionate ear and understanding heart to family members as a member of the Grief Team, Reese is committed to adding quality to patients' and families' lives by her caring touches.
 Senior: John PowellJohn has been a faithful and dedicated volunteer at North Central Health for 24 years, accumulating 12,266 hours of volunteer time. Working with Alzheimer residents, John takes them for weekly walks, overcoming a physical disability of his own to provide something special for the Alzheimer residents at North Central Health Care.
 Group: United Way's 2-1-1 Volunteer Information SpecialistsThere are six helpful volunteer information specialists answering 2-1-1's calls: Kay Rossman, Diane Yunek, Mary Lou Prange-Jones, Judy Jansen, Carol Stilp and Karen Petersen. In 2008 this friendly and compassionate group answered 11% of 2-1-1's calls (2,150 calls) and referred them to appropriate services to eventually resolve problems. All of these volunteers undergo extensive training and display the ability to be non-judgmental and confidential. Their care and compassion "behind-the-scenes" has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people and has contributed to a better community.
United Way Volunteer Connection
would like to say
Thank you to our Generous Sponsors!
Special thanks to all of our 2008-2009 WE Awards sponsors who have generously contributed to the special gift baskets presented to the honorees.
KEY SPONSORS:
RIVERSIDE SPECIALTIES
RIVER VALLEY BANK
TARGET
Other supporting sponsors include:
- The Almond Tree, LLC
- Beatitudes Coffee, Tea, Bistro
- Judi Pecha
- Briq's Soft Serve
- Charlie's Hardware, Inc.
- County Market
- Dairy Queen
- Janmar's Chocolate Emporium Inc.
- Marcus Theatres Corporation
- Pat Gaugush
- Pizza Hut
- Rib Mountain Floral
- Starbuck's Coffee
- Wal-Mart
- Trig's
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Active May 1, 2009 to Jun 1, 2009
