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Cream of the Crop

Volunteers of Year did their part to help community

By Antoinette Rahn

April 23, 2004

Daily Tribune Staff

Following were this year's honorees at the Volunteer Recognition Breakfast.

A closer  look at honorees

 Kathleen Rause, Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year:

A senior at Lincoln High School and a Wisconsin Rapids resident, Rause's volunteerism is as diverse as the community she serves. She has been a leader in her volunteer activities, which included a food drive as part of Make a Difference Day. Rause also was among the Lincoln seniors who organized Alcohol Awareness Day at Rapids Mall to tell people about the effects alcohol has on the body.

"Katie is truly an exceptional young woman who volunteers extensively," Judy Rosecrans said in her nomination letter. Rause has served as a mentor at Mead Elementary School , volunteer for Special Olympics as a counselor at Camp Friendship and at a community center in Brazil during spring break.  

Peter Augustyniak, Outstanding Adult

As a longtime volunteer of The Craft Shoppe, Augustyniak was instrumental in the retail outlet's move from West Grand Avenue to Rapids Mall in 2003.The Craft Shoppe is a retail outlet for hand-crafted items made by area senior citizens. The crafters operate as a cooperative, and members volunteer as clerks at the store. "Peter was the driving force and main source of manpower for the remodeling and organized move to Rapids Mall," said Linda Vollert, Craft Shoppe coordinator, in her nomination letter. In addition to helping breathe new life into the Craft Shoppe by finding its current home, Augustyniak organized the group's Toys for Kids project and a coffee clutch for volunteers.  

The Neighborhood Table, Outstanding Adult Group of the Year:

Ginny Steen, Monica Hass and Cindy Goldenstern saw there was a need, and a meal made by neighbors for neighbors was the result. Organizers researched a similar effort in Waupaca, and they made phone calls seeking volunteers and donations. After a positive response, the group served its first meals on New Year's Eve 2003. What began as a monthly meal has grown to two meals a month, served the last two Thursdays. And every month a different civic group or business sponsors one of the meals. "The first meal served 55 people and increased to 250 (in March)," said Steve Hass, husband to Monica and son-in-law to Steen, in his nomination letter. "Although there are many people that volunteer their time and money each week to this very worthy organization, Ginny, Monica and Cindy are the heart and soul of The Neighborhood Table."  

PROMOTE, Outstanding Youth Group of the Year:

This group of Lincoln High School students is helping peers to make healthy decisions, while helping young people connect with parents and the community. The group's work can be seen in posters highlighting the Crisis Intervention Hotline — a place for students to call for help when they're feeling depressed, pressured or suicidal. The group promoted Parent Information Nights at Lincoln by delivering a public service announcement reminding the community of the event, writing a letter to the editor encouraging participation and providing a panel of students for the discussion on teen depression. "The students of PROMOTE have worked very hard this year toward achieving their goal of increased awareness of health issues for teens and parents," said Jenna Peterson, counselor and PROMOTE adviser. "I am very proud of the students of PROMOTE." 

Many of the award winners say the gift of recognition isn't a treasure they seek, but it's a nice addition to the natural rewards that come from volunteering. "I was amazed at the number of things they said about me," Augustyniak said. "I didn't know I did all that." Augustyniak of Wisconsin Rapids was named Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year for his work with The Craft Shoppe in Rapids Mall.

Rause was named the Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year. "It's a great honor to receive, especially with all the others who were so deserving of this award," said Rause, a senior at Lincoln High School . The Lincoln High School group PROMOTE seeks to do as its name implies — promote healthy decisions and relationships for teenagers. "It's great to see how this group has come together and strived toward the goal of helping to make a difference in our schools and community," said Nick Walsh, a senior and co-president of PROMOTE.

Ginny Steen, co-organizer of The Neighborhood Table, which provides twice-monthly meals for residents in need, said being honored as Outstanding Adult Volunteer Group is a kudos to be shared with the community. "To receive this award in our first year of operation is amazing," Steen said. "We thank the community for all their support and all the help we've received from our volunteers and sponsors."

You can reach Antoinette Rahn at 422-6726 or arahn@wisconsinrapidstribune.com