Volunteer of the Month
Volunteer of the Month is an area-wide award program presented by the Helpline Center. The Volunteer of the Month Award is given to an individual, or a group of individuals, who exhibit an outstanding commitment to volunteer service. One award is given to a winner each month in the Sioux Empire and Black Hills.
The Helpline Center sends out the Volunteer of the Month Nomination Form to area non-profit agencies each year. A winner is selected out of the nominations for each month, and a surprise celebration is held for the volunteer at the agency where the winner chooses to give their time.
Thank you to Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield for being our 2024 Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month sponsor!
Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month
Congratulations to
Will Wunder
a volunteer with Lutheran Social Services on being named the November 2024 Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month.
Black Hills Volunteer of the Month
Congratulations to
Tim McCaskey
a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Western South Dakota on being named November 2024 Black Hills Volunteer of the Month.
November 2024 Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month
Will Wunder
Will Wunder is a 12 year old mentor in the LSS Childcare & Education Program. Will attended the program when he was in preschool through school age, and although he has aged out of the program, he remains a part of the LSS community. He acts as a role model to the younger kids and leads activities and games. Will has been volunteering his time as a mentor for the last 2 summers as well as assisting on no school days. Furthermore, he helped coordinate efforts in the summer through a lemonade stand and car wash to raise over $1,300 for the Daycare center!
Congratulations to October 2024 Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month
Brian LeTourneau
Brian provides supportive services to help adults needing assistance to maintain independent living. He provides weekly, scheduled visits to individuals living in their homes or apartments. Depending on client needs, he may assist with activities such as shopping and errands, light housekeeping, meal planning/preparation, reading, writing letters, making phone calls, paying bills, completing forms, medication reminders, transportation to doctor appointments and most importantly – conversation, listening and companionship.
Congratulations to October 2024 Black Hills Volunteer of the Month
Jean Pashby
Jean Pashby was nominated by the Salvation Army. Jean has volunteered for many events including coats for kids, delivering nursing home gifts, women's auxiliary, Christmas sign-ups, Angel Tree, toy shop, and fundraisers. Jean has been a volunteer for over 15 years; she volunteers at least once a month, and during the holidays she volunteers several days a week and some evenings. Jean is the type of person who enjoys volunteering. The Salvation Army can always count on Jean to be there to help with any event.
September 2024 Sioux Empire Volunteer of the Month
Jan Paulson
Jan Paulson was nominated by the Outdoor Campus. Jan exemplifies every quality of an outstanding volunteer. She always arrives with a smile on her face and a great attitude. Her positive and optimistic attitude is contagious to everyone around her—staff, visitors, class participants, and other volunteers. Jan has been volunteering at the Outdoor Campus-Sioux Falls since January of 2008. In her 12 years at the Outdoor Campus, she has donated over 700 hours of service to the organization. She is present every Wednesday morning volunteering at the front desk.
Sioux Empire August 2024 Volunteer of the Month
John Faundeen
John was nominated by Sanford Health as a Mended Hearts Volunteer. John volunteers consistently twice a month, and he has volunteered at Sanford for 3.5 years. "John is a Mended Hearts Volunteer at Sanford Health. In this role, he visits patients in the Cardiology unit to offer some educational resources, as well as simply visits with them about their questions, concerns, and next steps after having a Cardiology procedure. John himself has gone through a Cardiology procedure, so he is able to visit from a perspective of empathy and understanding. He can contribute to the patient's healing journey by being present to listen, which can sometimes be just as powerful as medicine."
Sioux Empire July 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Cheryl Ulvestad
Cheryl was nominated by the Outdoor Campus. Cheryl has been volunteering for nearly 16 years and has contributed over 4,000 of service. "We love having Cheryl with us at the Outdoor Campus. This place would not be the same without her insightful knowledge and witty humor."
Sioux Empire June 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Justice Floyd
Justice was nominated by SculptureWalk Sioux Falls. Justice has been volunteering since 2022, and volunteers two hours a week. "Justice has a real passion for SculptureWalk and its mission to ‘Bring Art to the People.’ She has been a dedicated and willing volunteer for us, no matter the task, and no matter the time of day."
Black Hills June 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Nicole Murphy
Nicole serves as a board member and Fund Development Committee member for the Literacy Council. Her efforts are primarily focused on securing grants and fundraising for the non-profit organization. Nicole works tirelessly at securing grants and donations to support the Literacy Council! She serves above and beyond with creative and tenacious energy making phone calls, connecting with community businesses, writing grants and grant reports, serving as a board member, and is a great support to the entire organization. Grant writing and fundraising is not an easy job, and Nicole does this as a volunteer with a cheerful spirit! We're very grateful for her time and work to promote literacy in the Black Hills community!
Sioux Empire May 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Bobby Malstrom
Bobby was nominated by the Outdoor Campus. Bobby has been volunteering with Outdoor Campus. "He’s known for showing up just to say hi and help with whatever activities are happening around the Outdoor Campus. He helps with just about every class the Outdoor Campus offers throughout the year."
Black Hills May 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Karen Zepp
"Karen is a committed volunteer at SunCatcher to help us achieve our mission to empower people with disabilities. She helps our instructors, participants, and horses during riding sessions from May through October every year. She also has mowed the facility grounds, picked rocks in the arena, and assisted during fundraising activities. Karen has been a volunteer at SunCatcher since 2021. She is here once per week for at least 6 hours and sometimes more often. Karen is willing to fill in where necessary and perform duties that no one else is willing to do. She is always smiling, friendly, and energetic. She even volunteered to help our executive director with a rummage sale in September!"
Sioux Empire April 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Sue Cooler
Sue was nominated by the Butterfly House & Aquarium and Great Plains Zoo. Sue started volunteering in April 2023, and by July she had given over 75 hours! "Sue has the biggest smile, laughs often, and truly does an excellent job as a docent for our organization. Sue is determined to make sure EVERY guest is having the best day."
Black Hills April 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Karen Zepp
Karen was nominated by SunCatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy. During the riding sessions from May to October each year, Karen works tirelessly to support the instructors, participants, and horses. Her duties include grooming, tacking, leading horses, and providing general assistance during the sessions. She has also volunteered to help the executive director with the community rummage sale and played an active role in fundraising events, supporting the team with her time and energy. Karen's contribution to the organization extends beyond the riding sessions. She has also helped maintain the facility grounds by mowing the lawns and picking rocks in the arena. One of the most impressive things about Karen is her willingness to do whatever is necessary to support the organization. She is always ready to fill in where needed and perform duties others might not be willing to do.
Sioux Empire March 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Suzy Jones
Suzy was nominated by the Alpha Center. Suzy has been volunteering since 2021, and has shared a significant amount of her time. "As a Mentor, she builds relationships with clients who want one-on-ne support as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy or parenting a young child. Clients who have worked with her have been given practical tools, as well as consistent encouragement on their parenting journey."
Black Hills March 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Lyn Haug
For the past decade, Lyn Haug has volunteered with Bethany Christian Service, creating beautiful quilts for children from Bethany families. Lyn's dedication to her craft is unparalleled, as she brings 3 to 7 quilts each month, each an artistic masterpiece with a unique theme and color scheme. Her selflessness and compassion have brought joy to countless children who have received her beautiful quilts.
Sioux Empire February 2024 Volunteer of the Month
Craig Hansen
Craig was nominated by GreaterGoods, Volunteers of America. Craig has contributed over 56 hours in 2023. "His unwavering commitment and enthusiasm make a world of difference. His positivity and dedication never fail to brighten our day, and we are incredibly grateful to have him as part of the GreaterGoods family"
February 2024 Black Hills Volunteer of the Month
Alan Snorteland
Alan assists with bereavement mailings, grief groups, and visiting hospice patients. Alan has been volunteering with Monument Health Hospice for almost 12 years. Alan is at Hospice House 3-4 days a week. He quietly goes about his duties as a volunteer and really makes a difference every day. Alan is a very selfless person who truly enjoys people and helps patients to live their best life until they die. Alan also is a very integral part of the grief groups sharing his experiences and listening and comforting others.
January Sioux Empire 2024 Volunteer of the Month
John Nelson
John was nominated by the Kirby Science Discovery Center. John has been volunteering at the Washington Pavilion since 2015 and has given 700 hours. “John serves as the Kirby Science Discovery Center’s (KSDC) go-to volunteer for supervising interactive mobile demonstration carts, is the backbone of the KSDC volunteer team during the Pavilion’s Free First Friday events (when its museums are admission-free the first Friday of every month from 5:00-8:00 pm), has served as a judge during Pavilion-hosted science fairs and engineering challenge events, and has been the KSDC’s spokesperson at off-site science festivals and science education events.
January 2024 Black Hills Volunteer of the Month
Marie Quinn
John was nominated by Meals on Wheels of Western South Dakota. Marie's commitment to delivering meals every week is truly inspiring. It's heartwarming to see a person who is so dedicated to helping others. She is a dependable volunteer who is always willing to help whenever we are short of drivers. Marie's generosity extends beyond her driving duties, as she is also an excellent trainer who selflessly helps to onboard new volunteers. Tim Schnider stated, “Her exceptional dedication to serving families and improving the community is commendable, and people like her make the world a better place. We are lucky to have her on our team, and we can't thank her enough for her positive impact on us and our community.”
