Marquette County Volunteers Recognized

MARQUETTE – Several individuals and an organization from Marquette County have been recognized for outstanding efforts to make their community a better place to live.

Recipients of the 2012 Marquette County Outstanding Volunteer Awards were announced by the Volunteer Coordinators of Marquette County during the 16th annual volunteer recognition event April 21 at the Westwood Mall in Marquette.

Robert and Elizabeth Lundin of Ishpeming were named Volunteers of the Year. Over the past year, the couple has volunteered a combined total of nearly 3,000 hours at the Salvation Army in Ishpeming through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Marquette County. Robert Lundin spent an average of 29 hours a week cooking for the twice-weekly community soup luncheon, cleaning up afterwards, running errands, delivering commodities and providing medical transportation to seniors. Elizabeth Lundin spent an average of 26 hours a week helping plan menus, cleaning up after lunches, running errands, helping in the Salvation Army office, and taking seniors shopping as part of the RSVP Friendly Visitor program.

Fred Margrif of Marquette received the Senior Volunteer Award. Margrif has been a transporter for RSVP’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program for six years. From October 2010 to February of this year, he completed nearly 90 transports including many that were scheduled at the last minute, ran long or were outside the Marquette area.

Bill Roos of Gwinn received the Adult Volunteer Award for his dedication to enhancing and maintaining the model railroad exhibit at the U.P. Children’s Museum in Marquette. Roos visits the museum at least twice a month to work on the exhibit. In the summer, he rides his bicycle from Gwinn, collecting bottles and cans along the way. He uses money from the deposits to buy equipment for the exhibit.

Jessica Doney, 17, of Negaunee received the Youth Volunteer Award for her efforts with Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. Doney volunteers as the events coordinator for the service area of Negaunee, Ishpeming and Republic which benefits 22 troops and more than 200 girls.

Todd Hennigan of Skandia and his dog, Banshee received the Pet Partners Award. They were honored for their service with many organizations and events including the U.P. Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS), Bay Cliff Health Camp, Harvey Baptist Church, U.P. Children’s Museum and the U.P. 200 Sled Dog Race for which Banshee has been the mascot four years.

Lake Superior Hospice received the Volunteer Organization Award. The organization has more than 55 volunteers, ages 20 to 85 years old. In the past year, they have provided more than 1,500 hours of support and cared for more than 300 patients. Close to 95 percent of the volunteer hours were spent on friendly visits with the patients or respite for the caregivers.

Rachael Williams of Marquette received the Michael D. Nunnally Northern Michigan University Student Volunteer Award. Williams was recognized for her volunteer work in numerous university organizations including the Golden Z Club, Mortar Board, Student Leader Fellowship Program and Superior Edge as well as community organizations and events including an elementary autistic classroom, the U.P. Children’s Museum Celebrity Art Auction and the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes.

The Volunteer Coordinators of Marquette County host the awards and volunteer recognition event each spring in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. The event recognizes all volunteers for their service to communities in Marquette County.

The Volunteer Coordinators of Marquette County provide networking opportunities for those working with volunteers and share resources on volunteerism-related projects. The group invites those who work with volunteers to join its monthly meetings. For more information about the Volunteer Coordinators of Marquette County, contact Jane Iery at 906-228-3578.

In Photo at Right, Recipients of the 2011 Marquette County Outstanding Volunteer Awards stand with plaques presented to them by the Volunteer Coordinators of Marquette County during the organization’s annual volunteer recognition event April 21 at Westwood Mall in Marquette. In front are Todd Hennigan and Banshee, recipients of the Pet Partners Award. In back, from left, are Elizabeth Lundin, co-recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award; Bill Roos, recipient of the Adult Volunteer Award; Fred Margrif, recipient of the Senior Volunteer Award; Deb Sobolewski, Jeff Wenstrand, John Schimek, Jack Brown and Chris Steele of Lake Superior Hospice, recipient of the Volunteer Organization Award; and Jessica Doney, recipient of the Youth Volunteer Award. Not pictured are Robert Lundin, co-recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award and Rachael Williams, recipient of the Michael D. Nunnally NMU Student Volunteer Award.