Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The 37th Annual Mayors’ Volunteer Awards

The 37th Annual Mayors’ Volunteer Awards were presented by the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley on Tuesday, April 21 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The awards program, which recognizes outstanding volunteers in the Cedar Valley, included a luncheon with 135 attendees. Award categories this year included the Volunteer Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding volunteers regardless of age or years of service. The Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award, which was open to those age 19-35. And the Lifetime Achievement Award that was open to any nominee with 20+ years of volunteerism in the Cedar Valley. Award criteria included demonstrating excellence in volunteerism in the Cedar Valley and a commitment to serving the community.

21 nominees received certificates from Mayor Jon Crews (Cedar Falls), Mayor Buck Clark (Waterloo), and Mayor John Faas (Evansdale).

The 2015 nominees were: Lyle Andersen, nominated by Cedar Falls Sno Hawks Snowmobile Club; Richard and Joyce Capps, nominated by Cunningham Elementary and Waterloo Community Schools; Jim Chapman, nominated by West Central Neighborhood Association; Judy Ciesielski, nominated by West Central Neighborhood Association; Sergio Erazo, nominated by Cedar Valley Catholic Schools; Fran Fuller, nominated by St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker House; Melody Good, nominated by Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity; Jim Grandon, nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa; Martha Hansen, nominated by Western Home Communities; Skye Houchin, nominated by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare; Howard Hughes, nominated by Northeast Iowa Food Bank; Ben Jacobson, nominated by Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley; Elizabeth Miller, nominated by Cedar Falls Woman’s Club; Yvonne Othmer, nominated by LifeServe Blood Center; Mike Pipho, nominated by Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach; Dana Shaver, nominated by Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley; Erica Sires, nominated by Blue Zones Project; Irv Tiller, nominated by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare; Katlyn Trumm, nominated by Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley; Betty Wexter, nominated by Allen Hospital; Marty Wylie, nominated by Cedar Valley Hospice.

Each of the 12 Mayors’ Volunteer Award winners was escorted to the stage by a member of the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Ambassadors. This year’s winners are as follows:

Volunteer Award:

Fran Fuller
Fran Fuller is a dedicated volunteer, volunteering her time at the Catholic Worker House for the past 6 years.

Fran helps provide hospitality, food and shelter for those in need in the community. She lives the Catholic Worker philosophy; especially in believing in each person’s worth and sharing what you have.

Fran treats each person that comes to the house with dignity and respect and welcomes those that come for community meals and those who need overnight shelter. She touches many with her care, kindness, and humor!

Fran’s dedication to Catholic Worker House is what makes her worthy of a Mayors’ Volunteer Award.

Mike Pipho
Mike Pipho is an individual that is very passionate about his volunteer work.

In 2014, Mike led an effort that resulted in a significant county-wide effort to collect food for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank during the Black Hawk County Fair last July. Ten Black Hawk County clubs collected over 536 pound of canned food, the equivalent of 447 meals.

He also coaches the First Tech Challenge team. He meets with them weekly during the fall and early winter. Mike also leads a very active 4-H club, where his club members are active and frequent winners of awrads and scholarships.

His biggest contribution as a 4-H leader is his engagement with the annual fruit sale. He does all the promotion, ordering, and sorting.

Mike’s generosity and commitment to Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach is why he is awarded with a Mayors’ Volunteer Award.

Richard and Joyce Capps
Richard and Joyce Capps are a phenomenal duo. They are able to share their passion for education by volunteering their time at Cunningham School in Waterloo.

Since 2003, Richard and Joyce have logged approximately 1,000 volunteer hours a year at the school. The Capps team helps coordinate the school’s collection of Hy-Vee receipts for the Cash 4 Students program along with Box Tops for Education and Milk Moola. From 2008-2014, Cunningham School placed in the top 5 for the Cash 4 Students program. Two of those years they received first place!

From this program and the hard work of Richard and Joyce, Cunningham School has received $24,992.92 since 2008. The Capps’ will do anything for the students of Cunningham and help out in any way possible.

Richard and Joyce are a great duo who are quite deserving of a Mayors’ Volunteer Award!

Sergio ErazoSergio Erazo has made outstanding contributions to the Cedar Valley Catholic Schools as a volunteer for 12 years volunteering daily for four hours or more.

Some of Sergio’s volunteer work includes cooking meals for homeless individuals and packing lunches for missions to be sent overseas. He is always looking for new opportunities and does so without ever asking for recognition.

He has a great sense of humor and always has a smile on his face. Sergio is an inspiration to all and an excellent role model for his children in demonstrating how to give back to the community.

Sergio’s efforts to give back to the Cedar Valley Catholic Schools are what make him a Mayors’ Volunteer Award recipient.

Marty Wylie
Marty Wylie has volunteered for the Cedar Valley Hospice since 2010.

She couldn’t wait to return the gift of compassion after her family was cared for by Cedar Valley Hospice. In 2014, she volunteered 88 hours at the Hospice Home, which was way above the average.

As part of their “No One Dies Alone” team, Marty was called on New Year’s Eve to sit with a dying patient because they had no family there. Marty went right away, never questioning it, and say bedside for five hours. 

Her commitment to their mission is steadfast and her heart is made of gold. The gift of her time
spent with the organization’s patients and families is truly priceless.

Marty’s many selfless acts as a volunteer at Cedar Valley Hospice are what makes her deserving of a Mayors’ Volunteer Award.

Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes has been an active volunteer with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank for thirty-one years! This is longer than most staff members!

Howard originally started at the food bank riding along with his dad, who was a volunteer driver in 1983. After his dad retired, Howard stayed and continued to volunteer, riding with truck drivers. Howard rode with one driver traveling over 550 miles in three days, helping with the Back Pack Program and food rescue.

Howard’s current volunteer duties include helping to stock shelves in Agency Shopping and cleaning and sorting donated items in the Clean and Sort room. After all these years, Howard still has a beaming smile, a helpful hand, many friends, and standing lunch dates with other volunteers and staff every week.

Howard’s compassion, commitment, and enthusiasm of selflessly helping the food bank are what make him deserving of a Mayors’ Volunteer Award.

Elizabeth Miller
Elizabeth Miller is an outstanding member of the Woman’s Club. She is involved in many aspects of the Club.

Liz has donated her leadership skills by serving as an officer at many levels and on many committees. She is presently a member of the Clubhouse Committee. This committee is responsible for assisting in overseeing the operation of the dining room and kitchen. Liz has often substituted as a cook for the day, when the chef was absent.

The Cedar Falls Woman’s Club had an extensive restoration project and Liz was among the members who made person contacts to secure funds. She also did some of the outside painting to eliminate some of the costs of the restoration. Along with painting, she is also a Master Gardener. She shares her gardening skills on the Club grounds and organizes most of the work that is done.

She is willing to help everyone is anyway possible, which is what makes her a Mayors’ Volunteer Award recipient.

Jim Grandon
Jim Grandon began his volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa in 2008 as a mentor.

Jim has gone above and beyond his expectations as a mentor. When Jim was originally paired with his student, they met at school once a week. This friendship grew to continue seeing each other during the summer break. Today, Jim and his mentee still meet every week in school, as well as frequent visits outside of school.

They continue to focus on the mentee’s homework, but also enjoy grabbing a hamburger, working on household projects, and attending UNI games. Jim also can be found in the bleachers cheering on his mentee at his own athletic events.

Jim has taught his mentee several life lessons along the way. Big Brothers Big Sisters acknowledges the great effort and consistency Jim exhibits and is grateful for his volunteer service.

It is clear to see that Jim’s visits with his mentee have made a great impact, which is why Jim Grandon is deserving of a Mayors’ Volunteer Award.

Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award:

Dana Shaver
Dana Shaver has been a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club for about 2.5 years. Each week he comes in to spend time with the young man he is matched up with at the Club.

When meeting with his mentee, Dana spends some time working on homework and the rest of the time they spend playing a variety of games and having fun. He is a consistent volunteer, who hardly misses a day coming to meet with his mentee. He also attends several of the mentor events throughout the year.

Dana has one goal with his mentorship; he wants to make a difference. He comes into the Club with a smile and leaves with a smile, no matter if his time with his mentee was easy or a little difficult that day.

Dana’s strong commitment, enthusiasm, and hard work are what make him deserving of a Mayors’ Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award.

Skye Houchin
Skye Houchin is a full time student the University of Northern Iowa and began volunteering with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in the fall of 2013.

Her first experience was in the pediatrics department where she worked with volunteer services. The volunteer program was still being developed when she joined. This program became successful quickly and Skye’s contribution of time and talent was instrumental. She also helped nurses on the pediatrics floor and the pediatric manager. She then added volunteering in the Emergency Department as a patient care advocate. Skye now works at the Covenant Medical Center Emergency Room and volunteers.

Skye has also spent time volunteering after the F5 tornado hit Parkersburg in 2008 and continues to look for opportunities to assist others. In 2011, she volunteered for a local program that works with Burmese refugees living in Waterloo. She helped them schedule doctors’ appointments, take them to appointments, and other daily tasks.

Her willingness to serve others is what has earned Skye the Mayors’ Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award.

Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award:

Irv Tiller
Shortly after retiring, Irv Tiller began volunteering at Sartori Memorial Hospital. Irv has been a part of the Cedar Valley for about 70 years and you can find him volunteering his time all over the community.

You can see Irv as a medical runner twice a month at the hospital and participating in special events on behalf of the hospital such as at Sturgis Falls and May Breakfast.

First United Methodist in Cedar Falls is where Irv started ushering and has continued to do so for 45 years. He enjoys all duties he has committed to at the Church including counting money and serving community meals. Irv has taken the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Kentucky and traveled to assist in the aid given after Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Irv continues to give back to the Cedar Valley community and his wife jokes that she needs to make an appointment to see him, but Irv says he does save Friday’s for his wife. This man is, without a doubt, deserving of a Mayors’ Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award. 

Betty Wexter
Betty Wexter has been a lifelong resident of Waterloo. Her dedication to service and care for others is an inspiration for all.

She has served many years on the Allen School of Nursing Alumni Board of Directors. She has also been involved with the Allen Hospital Auxiliary serving on the Board of Directors for 10 years. The Auxiliary, under her influence has provided many valuable contributions to Allen Hospital and the community.

Betty has also made valuable contribution to other agencies in the community as well. She served as a Girl Scout leader for many years, was a Boys and Girls Club volunteer, and is involved with her church.

Each week Betty can be found at the Allen Hospital Gift Shop where she kindly greets shoppers and helps them find the perfect gift.

Betty’s caring heart and willingness to give back to the community is why she is deserving of a Mayors’ Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award. 


Congratulations Volunteers!


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mayors’ Volunteer Award Nominees 2015

Volunteer Award Nominees: 
Richard & Joyce Capps - nominated by Cunningham School/RSVP
Jim Chapman - nominated by West Central Neighborhood Association
Judy Ciesielski - nominated by West Central Neighborhood Association
Sergio Erazo - nominated by Cedar Valley Catholic Schools
Fran Fuller - nominated by St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker House
Melody Good - nominated by Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Jim Grandon - nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
Howard Hughes - nominated by Northeast Iowa Food Bank
Ben Jacobson - nominated by Boys and Girls Club of the Cedar Valley
Elizabeth Miller - nominated by Cedar Falls Woman's Club
Yvonne Othmer - nominated by LifeServe Blood Center
Mike Pipho - nominated by Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach
Marty Wylie - nominated by Cedar Valley Hospice

Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award Nominees:
Katlyn Trumm - nominated by Boys and Girls Club of the Cedar Valley
Dana Shaver - nominated by Boys and Girls Club of the Cedar Valley
Skye Houchin - nominated by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Erica Sires - nominated by Cedar Valley Blue Zones Project

Lifetime Achievement Award Nominees:
Lyle Andersen - nominated by Cedar Falls Sno Hawks Snowmobile Club
Martha Hansen - nominated by Western Home Communities
Irv Tiller - nominated by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Betty Wexter - nominated by Allen Hospital

Mayors’ Top Teen Award Nominees:
Rabia Afzal, Cedar Falls High School
Holly Appleton, Hudson High School
Jason Cheng, Cedar Falls High School
Carson Ellingson, Hudson High School
Melanie Erazo-Wright, Columbus High School
Joshua Fickus, Waterloo Christian High School
Abagail Frost, Don Bosco High School
Nicholas Gasser, Cedar Falls High School
Olivia Jordan, Hudson High School
Andrew Koch, Columbus High School
Jonathan Kuehner, Cedar Falls High School
Erin McFadden, Don Bosco High School
Joel Mills, West High School
Cole Moody, Union High School
Aubri Mossman, Union High School
Amela Music, West High School
Patricia Patnode, West High School
Gabriela Petry, Hudson High School
Kallie Rademacher, West High School
Lauren Reisinger, West High School
James Ritter, West High School
Joseph Schares, Waterloo Christian High School
Victoria Schons, West High School
Ethan Smith, Columbus High School
Isaac Smith, Cedar Falls High School
David Stone, Valley Lutheran High School
Elizabeth Swanson, Cedar Falls High School
Emily Wikner, Cedar Falls High School
Cole Wilson, Denver High School

Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley for more information at (319) 272-2087, information@vccv.org, or visit www.vccv.org.





Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Global Youth Service Day – April 17

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will lead young people on Global Youth Service Day, an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to youth. This year GYSD will be on April 17.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has planned an activity to contribute to the well-being of youth in the community by hosting a cleanup of the Walnut Neighborhood. Youth from the Boys and Girls Club will provide the youth-power. The event will run from 4:00 – 5:45 p.m. on April 17. Refreshments will be served.

Many communities use Global Youth Service Day as a component of youth service. “Needs in our community are particularly great right now. Addressing the challenge of mobilizing youth and resources to solve community problems will take a sustained effort, and we hope many who are serving on April 17th will make an ongoing commitment to serve throughout the year,” said Jean Seeland, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley Youth Program Coordinator.

The VCCV Youth Action Council is also planning a park cleanup on Sunday, April 19th. Council members will invite friends and will meet in the afternoon to pick up trash and then have a picnic to celebrate volunteerism.

Global Youth Service Day is held during National Volunteer Week, April 12 - 18. Through programs such as this, volunteers are recognized for the tremendous impact they are making on our country's most critical challenges year-round.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley works to promote and support effective volunteerism and to serve as the resource and coordination center for volunteers and community partnerships.

Please contact Jean Seeland at the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley to express interest in participating or to secure additional opportunities by calling 319-272-2087 or emailing jean_seeland@vccv.org. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

National Volunteer Week, April 12 – 18, Upcoming Events

National Volunteer Week, April 12-18, 2015, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

National Volunteer Week is about taking action and encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.


Upcoming National Volunteer Week Celebrations:

  • The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will be celebrating the agencies 20th Anniversary on April 14 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Kimball Ridge Center. 
  • Global Youth Service Day is April 15, 2015. Stay tuned for more information.
  • The following week the VCCV will host the Mayors' Volunteer Awards are Tuesday, April 21 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The cost is $15 per person. 
  • The Mayors' Top Teen and Mother Moon Service Scholarship Awards Reception is Tuesday, April 21 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. There is no charge to attend and no RSVP necessary.
For more information on National Volunteer Week call (319) 272-2087 or by email.