RSVP honors Senior Volunteers

On August 5th, volunteers for Senior Citizen programs in Northwestern Minnesota gathered for the annual RSVP Banquet with 200 plus volunteers gathered at University of Minnesota Crookston for the 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.
The theme of the program was based on the movie ‘Wizard of Oz.” The different foods and awards were all named to reflect different parts of the Wizard of Oz. And each guest went home with a box of Chippers from Widman’s Candy Store in Crookston packaged in a picnic basket box similar to the basket Dorothy carried as she traveled in Oz in search of the Wizard.
The RSVP volunteers were welcomed by Tammy Frohlich, Director of the RSVP program. Frohlich introduced Chancellor Fred Wood from the University of Minnesota. The board members were introduced: Lois Bergland, Thief River Falls, Eva Carlson, Lengby, Sheryl Carriere, Middle River, Carole Demars, Warren, Pr. Don Guttormson, Roseau, Aase Hamnes, Stephen, Irene Hemphill, Fosston, Gerald Jacobson, Fertile, Sharon Jorde, Thief River Falls, Myrna Kiser, Ada, Karen Lunak, Mentor, Colleen Malwitz, Red Lake Falls, Laralee Marvin, Warroad, Nick Nicholas, Polk County Commissioner, Pauline Olson, Hallock, and Glenda Phillipe, Warroad.
The buffet lunch of Wizard of Oz treats was served and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was sung by Anne Sykes from Fertile.
The award ceremony was next and six Volunteers were awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award by Director Tammy Frohlich at our Banquet. Lifetime achievement is recognized with a special President’s Call to Service Award which honors those who have provided more than 4,000 hours of service during the course of their lifetime. Allean Boschee, Joyce Nordine, Marlene Nelson, Patricia Wise were present to receive their awards from Tammy Frohlich. Not present; Allen Chesley of Crookston with 13 years, 6 months of service and 4,315 hours. Arlis Boen of Karlstad with 13 years, 5 months of service and 4,245 hours! There was also awards to other very well deserved volunteers (see photo).
One of the last awards given out was the Wizard Award. Everyone at the banquet was honored for their volunteer hours and received a Wizard Award certificate.