Learn about our next group of finalists-- families-- who have made volunteering part of their lifestyle.
Congratulations to all our finalists! The winner of the Community Family Volunteer Award is...
Because celebrating volunteers is so important, we just couldn’t want to wait to announce our finalists. So, we are going virtual! Winners in this category will be announced during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 19-25. Winners will be presented with their award plaque and a $500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice at a later time when social distance recommendations are lifted.
The Community Family Volunteer Award honors a "family," however you define it, that has made volunteerism a core value and contributes significant time to help community-based organizations. Thanks to your votes, following individuals have been selected as finalists in this category:
Name: Grant & Trudy Carpenter
Organization where nominee volunteers: His Hands Free Clinic
Grant started volunteering at His Hands Free Clinic in 2003 and his wife joined the volunteer team in 2007. They have been part of the prayer support team as well as board membership, and committees throughout their tenure. Grant and Trudy provide a friendly face and treat all clients, volunteers and staff with dignity and respect. Patients will share with them their most intimate and pressing challenges as they ask those we serve how they can pray for them.
Grant and Trudy have taken prayer support for those who come to the clinic and now provide it to those fellow volunteers and clinic staff who desire it. This is now something that other prayer support volunteers do as well. Grant and Trudy serve as role models, and the clinic has benefited from their involvement for 17 years.
Together, Grant and Trudy donated 93 hours to the clinic this year.
Name: Dennis and Karla Goettel
Organization where nominee volunteers: Horizons, A Family Service Alliance
Dating back to the Flood of 2008, Dennis and Karla Goettel have contributed countless hours to helping Horizons further its mission of providing help and hope to under served populations in the community. Karla has gone on to serve as a chairperson for the Horizons Board of Directors, while Dennis delivers a Meals on Wheels route on a weekly basis.
Karla and Dennis have both increased the organization’s reach and connection to the community. Karla joined the Horizon’s board and guided the organization until the agency’s CEO was appointed one year ago. Her efforts also lead to a renewed focus on development and fundraising, resulting in a 154 percent increase in donations from year-to-year. Dennis has developed a strong connection to homebound older adults and provides them with a positive interaction every time he visits.
Name: The Moore Family
Organization where nominee volunteers: Cedar Rapids Public Library
Number of Hours: 65
The Moore family has volunteered at the CRPL since April 2014. In their two primary volunteer roles, the Moore’s have supported literacy across the whole CR metro area. From putting requested library materials into the hands of patrons to signing up readers for the library’s summer reading program, the family has donated over 500 hours in a variety of roles.
The Moore’s balance their volunteer time with work, school, and other activities, but make it a priority to volunteer with the library. Their gift of time has benefitted many programs and patrons, and more importantly, has planted early seeds of volunteerism in their family and the example they have set for others.
In 2019, the Moore family donated 65 hours to the library.
Congratulations to all our finalists! The winner of the Community Volunteer Award will be announced next Tuesday, April 21 on our blog and social media channel. Stay tuned to see who the winner will be!