In celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly awarded Jeannette Purdum the Elfried Pennekamp Award for Extraordinary Service. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, Jeannette became concerned that an amazing group of seniors would not get their special attention (a personally delivered goodie bag and a birthday cake from VISTE). She decided on her own that at the very least they all needed a call on their actual birthday! In fact, she decided all of our clients needed a call on their birthday! So 365 days and counting, she has made personal calls from her home to each and every client wishing them a Happy Birthday! That is typically over 300 people each month! We thank Jeannette for her extraordinary dedication to our VISTE clients.
In celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Karen Volkmann. Karen is a true dynamo. You can find her helping in our warehouse, in our office, and preparing and delivering hot meals each week. We are so grateful to Karen and all of the time she gives back to VISTE in support of our elderly family members, friends, and neighbors in need. Congratulations Karen!
In celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month, Volunteers In Service to the Elderly presented the fourth-ever President's Award to JoAnn Schirm. JoAnn started volunteering for VISTE in 2003 and has been delivering hot meals to clients every Tuesday and Thursday ever since! Her service amounted to over 1,800 days, 4,500 hours and almost 20,000 hot meals delivered. JoAnn has decided to retire this month, we are so thankful for the countless hours she's volunteered for VISTE!