Mason City volunteers recognized at first annual appreciation luncheon

MASON CITY – The first annual Mason City Community Volunteer Appreciation luncheon was held at the Music Man Square on April 14, 2016.

Over 75 community volunteers were present on behalf of the City’s Volunteer Service Department, Blue Zones Project – Mason City, Mason City Youth Task Force, the Mason City Family YMCA, the Music Man Square and other community organizations. This new event was hosted by the Mason City Volunteer Center as a part of their work to strengthen volunteerism in the community, and continues the City’s Volunteer Services Department’s fifteen year tradition of holding a volunteer recognition event.

Volunteers were recognized for sharing their time and talents at organizations in the community. The City’s Volunteer Services Department presented their Shining Star volunteer awards to Lea Norlinger and Chris Henning, and the Shining Star Team award was presented to Trinity Lutheran Church. The Shining Star Award is awarded to individuals and teams or businesses that contribute to the needs of the City as it’s through their efforts that others see the commitment and dedication they share with the community. City council members were present to help celebrate the contributions volunteers make to the City.

Mason City Youth Task Force presented their Community Partner of the Year awards to Kris Latham on behalf of John Adams Middle School and Liz Conley and Chelsie Hinton on behalf of the Mason City Family YMCA. The Youth Task Force also recognized their Youth Action Team seniors for their dedication to the program. The Mason City Family YMCA honored Brad Price as a champion volunteer for his commitment to their Board of Directors and the YMCA . Blue Zones Project – Mason City presented their Volunteer Team of the Year award to Julie Hammen, Kathy Thomas, and Donna Murray from Mercy Medical Center for their service to the Friday Night Live Bike Valet service Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Joyce Deike for her commitment to volunteering with Blue Zones Project providing over 800 hours of service.

“2015 was another good year for volunteerism in the City of Mason City” said Mayor Eric Bookmeyer. “With the estimated value of a volunteer’s time in State of Iowa at $21.75 per hour, the time our community members volunteered at these organizations last year easily surpasses $220,000- a critical asset for many programs throughout the City.”

Bookmeyer gave his appreciation and thanks to the volunteers and presented the Shining Star Team award to Trinity Lutheran Church.

“Volunteers truly allow cities to flourish into communities” said Marie Boyd, Outreach Coordinator for Blue Zones Project -Mason City and the Mason City Volunteer Center. “Whether it’s through the City’s Beautification project, the YMCA’s Board of Directors, or hosting tours through the Music Man Square, each and every volunteer makes a meaningful impact on the organizations where they serve and the greater world around them. We cannot thank our volunteers enough for their service.”