Inspire By Example Bemidji Volunteer Recognition Program

In its 23rd year, the Bemidji Volunteer Directors and the United Way of Bemidji Area look forward to recognizing outstanding adults, youths and groups/families who dedicate their time and talents to enhance lives and strengthen the Bemidji community. 

Congratulations to the 2011 volunteers!

Special thanks to 2010 selection committee members Bill Sanford and Di Pickett

2011 Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism
GLORIA JOY

Gloria Joy has been honored with the 2011 Bemidji “Inspire by Example” Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism award for over 15 years of volunteering for the Bemidji Community Soup Kitchen, quite often averaging 30 hours a week in volunteer time.

Joy began volunteering with the Bemidji Community Soup Kitchen (BCSK) in 1996 when it provided one meal a week and had access to one freezer to use for storage.  When the building that they were using was unavailable due to renovation, the BCSK moved its weekly meal to United Methodist Church which not only provided a large storage area but also a large kitchen and plenty of dining room space for all BCSK guests to be comfortable.  The program has since expanded to one meal a week at United Methodist Church and two at Mt. Zion church.

A routine week for Joy includes spending about 7 hours prepping, serving and cleaning up for each of the 3 weekly meals served as well as securing the food and supplies, coordinating volunteers, and being a main contact for the program.  Joy represents the BCSK to the churches who host the meals, communicates with the Soup Kitchen Board of Directors, secures food “at the most reasonable price” she can, and even delivers the food to the kitchens.   Joy is always on site for each meal to answer questions, direct the volunteers, and most importantly, to strike up conversations with the Soup Kitchen guests. 

When asked why she volunteers, Joy responded “The soup kitchen is very special.  Anytime people gather for a meal they are happy.  Our soup kitchen has really good food prepared by people who know how to cook it.  Both of our churches welcome us, all of us, and always seem happy we are there.  What more could a person want but good food, good friends and a nice gathering place.  Beside this, I answer to a higher calling.  My Lord reminds me He is in each of the folks we serve and work with.  When it is my turn to stand before Him I know I will see the hundreds of people we have served dinner.  This is why I volunteer.  We just want to fill a basic need.  Maybe someday the soup kitchen will be open 6 days a week, for every meal, and folks will not be hungry, will be able to eat their fill, and will boost their standard of living with that extra money so they can have a better family life and better living conditions.”

The Bemidji Community Soup Kitchen is an all volunteer organization which served 12,461 clients over 17,700 meals in the past year, some being served for as little as $ .25 per meal!  The primary goal of the BCSK is to serve any adult or child in Bemidji and the surrounding area a free meal from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday without regard to age, creed, color, financial status, race, sex, handicap, or other restriction.  All are invited and welcome to serve and or be served by the program. 

The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors.  In March, a selection committee, which included De Picket, community volunteer and previous award recipient, and Bill Sanford, General Manager at Lakeland Public TV, reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose Joy as the volunteer who best met and exceeded the award criteria. 

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2011 Volunteer of the Year
TRACY PARTHUN

Tracy Parthun has been named Bemidji’s “Inspire by Example” Volunteer of the Year for her dedication of time and volunteer services to the Bemidji Area Reading Canines (BARC) program.

Parthun has been involved in Therapy Dog work for the past eleven years, a 4H Volunteer leader in the dog program since 2000, a Hearing and Service Dog Field Trainer and the northern Minnesota representative for Hearing and Service Dogs of MN (Can Do Canines) since 2002, an instructor of Therapy Dog Classes since 2002, and has been an evaluator for Therapy Dogs International (TDI) since 2008.

 In 2007, Parthun spearheaded the Bemidji Area Reading Canines (BARC), a program that improves children’s reading and communication skills by having a child read to a friendly dog that will always listen and make the child feel at ease, no matter his or her reading level.  Each child reads a book to the dog (and it’s handler) which results in an easy, relaxed environment for the child to practice reading without correction or judgment.  The handler is a skilled facilitator, shifting performance pressure off the child and providing support while the child receives the supervised reading practice necessary to build vocabulary, increase understanding of the material, and gain fluency as a reader. 

Parthun began training dog handling teams, using the nationally acclaimed Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) training material, and kicked off the BARC program at the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area in 2007.  The program was well received and has expanded to the Bemidji Middle School, Cass Lake/Bena Elementary School, Heartland Christian Academy, the Bemidji Public Library, and will soon begin at Laporte Elementary School.

All the dog/handler teams undergo Therapy Dog training as a requirement for the BARC program, ensuring that they have been trained and tested for health, safety, appropriate skills and temperament to be in public places and around children. Parthun organizes and leads all of these trainings in partnership with Paul Bunyan Dog Training Association, (PBDTA).  Parthun also organizes the scheduling of which teams go to each school or event, recommends the books that are read for each session (most are dog-themed books), and provides reward incentives for each participant.  Parthun hosts informational and training sessions to welcome new handlers and dogs interested in volunteering with BARC.

In addition to coordinating the whole program, Parthun also is a dog handler/reading assistant, often bringing her two R.E.A.D./TDI certified Golden Retrievers to fill in any open spots on the schedule. Currently BARC has 15 trained reading dog teams that range in age from college students to retired school teachers.  These teams participate on a weekly/bi-weekly schedule and serve over 600 children in the area each year!  For further information or questions about the BARC program, contact PBDTA at www.paulbunyandogtraining.com.

The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors.  In March, a selection committee, which included De Picket, community volunteer and previous award recipient, and Bill Sanford, General Manager at Lakeland Public TV, reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose Parthun as the volunteer who best met and exceeded the award criteria.  

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2011 Volunteer Group
of the Year
SPECIAL OLYMPIC COACHES

The Bemidji Special Olympic Coaches are being recognized as one of two Bemidji “Inspire by Example” Volunteer Group of the Year winners for their dedication to the Bemidji Special Olympic Athletes.

The Bemidji Special Olympics (BSO) team is managed and organized by a core group of individuals who volunteer their time and talent throughout the year.   In addition to this core group, there are 70 coaches who train and support over 150 Special Olympic athletes as they participate in 8 different sports – Nordic Skiing, Aquatics, Basketball, Unified Bowling, Track & Field, Bocce Ball, Softball, and regular Bowling.  Unified Bowling is league bowling for Special Olympic athletes who partner with community members to compete as a team.  The Bemidji Unified Bowling Team has over 140 unified partners

Some coaches coach all sports while others just assist with one.  In each sport the athletes practice once a week for 2 hours, with each sport lasting 8 – 10 weeks.  Each sport has at least 10 coaches which means volunteers put in over 200 hours for each of the 8 sports, resulting in 1600 volunteer hours in practice time alone.  Each sport has an area competition which results in an additional 640 volunteer hours.  In 2010, the BSO team traveled to three State competitions which resulted in an additional 1080 volunteer hours for these competitions.

An example of the BSO coaching dedication can be seen in two of the swimming coaches, Sylvia Fossen and Jodi Sandmeyer, who have served as swimming coaches since the late 70’s.  Lisa Bruns, the mother of a Special Olympic athlete, said this of these two coaches, “Our son Parker’s swimming ability exemplifies the extraordinary coaching that Sylvia and Jodi have provided.  Our son, and numerous other athletes in the Bemidji Area, would never have had the chance to be as successful as they are today without their swim coaches, Sylvia and Jodi.  The consistency in coaching has been extremely helpful to our special needs community.”

In addition to 70 individual coaches, the following are the Head Coaches in each sport: Ben Fellows, Basketball; LuAnn Anderson, co- head coach for Track and Field; Sylvia Fossen, Softball; Janet Holm, Bocce Ball; and Arlene Lundberg, Unified Bowling, regular Bowling, and co-head coach for Track and Field.  The following volunteers serve on the Local Sports Management Team (the BSO Board) - Head of Delegation Janet Holm; Treasurer Jody Blake; and Board Members LuAnn Anderson, Michelle Carlson, Arlene Lundberg, and Megan Richer.

Special Olympic coaches are required to successfully complete formal training to be a coach, which is provided by the Minnesota Special Olympics staff.  The training ensures that coaches follow Special Olympic International rules, athletes are properly and safely trained, and athletes are encouraged to improve in their sport skills.  Coaches train a diverse skill set of individuals who range in age from eight years old to athletes in their mid 70’s.  The ability span of athletes can be challenging for coaches; but at the same time, the success is heartwarming.  These coaches have given athletes a lifelong skill to enjoy for recreation, for fitness, and for the opportunity to compete with teams from around Minnesota and the potential to compete around the world.  The BSO would not exist today without dedicated volunteer coaches. 

The Bemidji chapter is the 3^rd largest Special Olympic sports organization in Minnesota and is always looking for new volunteers to become coaches, Unified Partners, or to join the leadership team.  Contact bemidjispecialolympics@yahoo.com or call 333-8725 to get involved!

The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors.  In March, a selection committee, which included De Picket, community volunteer and previous award recipient, and Bill Sanford, General Manager at Lakeland Public TV, reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose the Special Olympic Coaches as one of two groups who best met and exceeded the award criteria.   

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2011 Volunteer Group
of the Year
SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES

The Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates: Fay Yochum, Mike Zimmerman, Cheyenne Velazquez, Jenna Pulkrabek, Jayne Hanson, Tammy Waldhausen, Nicole Weber, Annie Poole, Brittany Freed, Valerie Benjamin, and Mary Harding are being recognized as one of Bemidji’s “Inspire by Example” Volunteer Group of the Year for their time, support 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.

In 2010, this outstanding group of volunteers logged 10,209 hours of volunteer time on the Crisis Line, being available after hours to take calls from victims/survivors who have questions or need help to make it through the night.  The Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass, and Hubbard Counties (SAPBCH) receives a high percentage of “bad moment” calls in the middle of the night when the nightmares take over, victims feel alone, and it feels like nobody cares.  It is these volunteer advocates who give each caller the much needed lifeline to sanity and healing.

Volunteer advocates may be called to the ER at a moment’s notice to help someone navigate the unknown experience of a rape exam and to provide all necessary information to make decisions that are right for each individual need.  The volunteers may continue to meet with the victims/survivors on an on-going basis helping to following up with hospital staff or going with them on referrals for support.  If the victim chooses to report and have the case go through the judicial system, volunteers will go to court with or on behalf of the victim to keep them informed of the process.

“The importance of these volunteers is not only in answering the phones, as not every volunteer shift results in phone calls, but the importance of having someone on call at all hours is what is reassuring to victims/survivors.  It helps them get through the night just knowing someone IS out there waiting for their call.  So even if the volunteer does not receive the call, they are helping hundreds of victims/survivors by just being available,” states Kim Zimmerman, volunteer coordinator with SAPBCH. 

These volunteers are also committed to helping cover the gap in funding that budget cuts have created in staff levels by assisting the staff with various clerical duties.

The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors.  In March, a selection committee, which included De Picket, community volunteer and previous award recipient, and Bill Sanford, General Manager at Lakeland Public TV, reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocates as one of two groups who best met and exceeded the award criteria. 

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2011 Volunteer Youth
of the Year
ANTTON OJA

Antton Oja has been named Bemidji’s “Inspire by Example” Volunteer Youth of the Year for his enthusiastic love of science that he brings to his volunteer services at the Headwaters Science Center (HSC.)

The Headwaters Science Center has a Science Club that meets every Monday for kids ages 6-13.  Oja was an enthusiastic member of the Science Club while in this age group.  Once he outgrew the club he asked if he could continue on as a volunteer.  Science Club involves hands-on intensive science and engineering projects and other activities that require adult assistants who understand exploring with a “science mindset,” which means not necessarily fact finding and getting the answers right, but understanding the importance of the process. 

Oja not only assist the students with their projects, but also helps set-up and clean-up of snacks, and with material preparation for the activities. According to Kitura Main, volunteer coordinator for HSC, “Antton shines in engaging and assisting the Science Club students with projects and activities.  This is not an easy thing to do as you have to figure out how to give assistance and hints without showing them too much so the Clubbers can figure out the problems themselves.  Antton’s previous experience in the club makes him a valuable volunteer.”

“Science Club is a dynamic group and it takes a mature individual to adapt to the various roles required to be an effective volunteer,” says Main.  “Students work cooperatively in groups and if a student is missing Antton fills in as a ‘kid’ so the work can be completed.  He floats between groups offering his assistance and helps control the use of the resources, handling his job with fairness and fun.  Most importantly, Antton is a friend and mentor to the club members.  He works hard to ‘get it right’ and his obvious excitement is infectious.”  Currently there are 8 participants in the Science Club.

HSC also holds special events such as Boo Fest and Mardi Gras Science Carnival.  These community events require a large number of volunteers and Oja assists with these events every year.  He’s usually in charge of a carnival type game where his enthusiasm adds greatly to the overall enjoyment of the participants.

Oja has volunteered for 5 years with the Science Club and has helped with the special events for 8 years.  He is 16 years old and a sophomore at Bemidji High School. 

The Bemidji Inspire by Example Volunteer award program, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Volunteer Directors.  In March, a selection committee, which included De Picket, community volunteer and previous award recipient, and Bill Sanford, General Manager at Lakeland Public TV, reviewed the nomination forms submitted and chose Oja as the volunteer who best met and exceeded the award criteria.

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Nomination Forms

Past Winners