Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in April had to be cancelled this year because of COVID, so we had to get more creative to honor our AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! In August, VISTE staff and volunteers worked together to present these awards outside the recipients’ homes by way of Volunteer Appreciation Parades. Cars/vans/trucks were decorated, and signs posted in the recipients’ yards. The following volunteers were recognized for 2020: Francheska Martinez, Lynn Bowen, and Ken Beals.
Jeffery Perkins Memorial Award for Outstanding Youth or Youth Organization – Francheska Martinez began volunteering through Lakeland Collegiate High School United Way Club in 2017 and completed well above her required 10 hours of community service. Francheska is kind and dependable. She volunteered her time in many of VISTE’s programs — birthday cakes, Thanksgiving, warehouse, and beyond! Francheska would even help recruit other volunteers. Her sweet and empathetic disposition is loved by all!
Elfried Pennekamp Memorial Award for Extraordinary Volunteerism – Lynn Bowen, is a volunteer who is genuine, thoughtful, and always willing to help. Lynn’s background in nursing has made her a perfect fit for volunteering her time in our Client Services area. Lynn’s compassionate soul is the reason that clients, staff, and other volunteers adore her.
Dr. Sam Clark Memorial Award (Volunteer of the Year) – Ken Beals, a volunteer who has selflessly given his time to VISTE since 2017. Ken is always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. Ken helps deliver hot meals to clients and pick up various donated items. He also helps with many of VISTE’s events, especially our annual fundraising event, VISTEBall.