SEASON OF GRATITUDE: Ecumen Volunteers Help Homeless Veterans
In the holiday spirit, a group of Ecumen volunteers helped out last week at The Anoka Veteran Housing Project, which is providing quality housing for homeless veterans by restoring three cottages at the Anoka State Hospital and turning them into veteran housing.
A Really Simple Guide to Aging Well
Making New Year's resolutions? Get some tips from this easy-to-understand guide on how to take care of yourself.
Warm, Funny and Inspirational Quotes on the Spirit of Christmas
The trure spirit of Christmas has many dimensions -- captured in these quotations.
Keeping Holiday Visits with Aging Parents Cheerful
Making holiday visits joyful for everyone means staying positive and proactive. Here's how to stay cheerful.
Parmly Volunteers Support Community Free Meal Mission
Thank you to the Ecumen Parmly LifePointes staff who recently served at the Community Free Meal at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City.
Wednesdays with Genny, Ecumen Hospice Volunteer
Genny Swanner of Chisago City shares the rewards of hospice volunteering.
A Salute to Ecumen's Generous Volunteers
Our deepest appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who help out at Ecumen sites, selflessly giving their time, energy and expertise to make life better for our residents.
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes Honors Its Superstar Volunteers
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes held its annual volunteer luncheon Monday and handed out awards to its volunteer “superstars.”
Honoring the Rich Tradition of Volunteerism at Ecumen Parmly LifePointes
Dedicated volunteers by the hundreds routinely help out at Ecumen Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City, Minn., and last week the community honored them for their service with a lunch and award ceremony.
“The special people you care for can’t always thank you themselves, so as an organization, we’d like to say ‘Thank you’ for all you do!” said Mara Krinke, community outreach coordinator, in greeting the luncheon guests.
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes has about 350 active volunteers who have given more than 9,700 hours of service in the past year.
“Parmly’s rich history of 110 years can’t be talked about without mentioning the many contributions of volunteers,” said Executive Director Frank Robinson. “Your dedication and gift of time is critical to making a difference in so many lives and supporting our mission of ‘creating home for older adults, wherever they choose to live.’”
The top award is the Phyllis Lindquist Volunteer of the Year Award, named for an outstanding volunteer and later resident who gave her time for 55 years and was the first Volunteer of the Year. This year the award was given to four individuals: Jane Iverson, Virgi Johnson, Faye VanHorn and Jacob Frischmon.
Also, service awards were given from the President’s National Council of Service and Civic Participation, established in 2003 as a way to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers and to encourage more people to serve. Recipients received a service pin, a personalized certificate of appreciation and a letter from President Obama.
Lifetime Achievement service awards went to Karen Gustafson and Faye VanHorn for giving 4,000 or more hours in a lifetime.
Gold Award winners for 500 or more hours of service in a year were Jacob Frischmon, George Pokorny Sr., and Carmen Ihlenfeldt.
Silver Award winners for 250-499 hours were Richard Carlson, Anne Henzlik, Elaine Schumacher and Greg Whitney.
Bronze Award Winners for 100 to 249 hours were Faith Boston, Bob Butte, Nancy Butte, Gail Gaustad, Heidi Gieske, Jeanne Hajnasiewicz, Richard Helgreson, Eileen Hoffman, Jane Iverson, Shirley ‘Sunshine’ Mollan, Joan Peterson, Chuck Roberts, JoAnne Robertson, Harriet Ryberg, Roman Seidel and Donna Spreitzer.
Volunteer of the Year Winners (left to right) Jane Iverson, Vergi Johnson, Faye VanHorn, Jacob Frischmon