Grass Roots: A holler for volunteers and a good way to feel good about yourself

April 24, 2010

As reported by Pat Schneider in The Cap Times

Looking for a cheap thrill? Find time to do something for somebody else. Volunteer. You'll join thousands of your Dane County neighbors who devote time -- every week, once a month or maybe just once a year -- to improving the community and feel better themselves as they do it.

Local volunteers were honored this week for their efforts for the common good at the United Way Community Volunteer Awards. There was a luncheon at the Madison Concourse Hotel downtown, kind words from Wisconsin First Lady Jessica Doyle, and a chance to shine - just a little.

Teenager Noah Cohen was recognized with the Youth Community Volunteer Award Winner for his volunteer work at East Madison Community Center as a youth counselor. "I just go and have fun with the kids," says Noah, who also tutors them in basic algebra.

The East High School freshman has overcome his own obstacles, including anger and education problems as a young boy, and today is active in the EMCC's Alternatives to Violence program. He's also very active in sports.

Working at the center has helped him too, he acknowledges: "There's a lot of other places I could be, hanging out with my friends and getting into trouble."

Tom and Mary Skinner were presented the Mike McKinney Award for their diverse work in Sun Prairie. Others recognized included: Capitol Insurance Companies of Middleton, for its "top down" approach to volunteering: Frank Cook, for his commitment to the homeless; nurse practitioner Linda Oakley, for her dedication to helping people with mental illness; Terry Wandsnider, for extending a hand of friendship to the terminally ill in hospice care; Adrianne Wafford, for her work with young children and the Head Start program; Dr. Calvin Bruce, for volunteering his services to bring health care to the uninsured; and Jim Peterson, who builds a better community with Habitat for Humanity.

Want to get in on the good time? Find your volunteer niche at VolunteerYourTime.org.