Giving their time United Way and Volunteer Intergenerational Center

The United Way of Southeast Missouri and Volunteer Intergenerational Center (VIC) recently sponsored their 19th annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to honor volunteers from local surrounding communities.

Winners were chosen from youth, adult, senior adult and group categories.

This year's youth/young adult recipient was Sarah Goeke, for her work with the Downtown Kids Assocation. Through the Association, Goeke has worked to help redevelop Downtown Cape and involved other youth to make sure the program continues to grow and flourish. Among other events, she coordinated movie night on the Common Pleas Courthouse grounds and a trivia night to finance the event.

Dr. Janet Ruopp received the adult volunteer award for her work with Habitat for Humanity. Ruopp has served as treasurer and sits on the executive and development committees.

Senior adult award recipient Adrianna Amelunke was acknowledged for the companionship, respite and bereavement services she provides through the Southeast Hospice program for the terminally ill and their families.

The SEMO Chapter American Red Cross Disaster Action Volunteer Team received the group recognition award for local and national response to disaster victims suffering through hurricanes, tornadoes, storm bursts, over 120 single-family fires and their aftermath.

'Inspire by Example'

Regions Bank was the recipient of the first "Inspire by Example" recognition award created to honor a local business for encouraging employee volunteerism. Regions Bank employees have volunteered at the Cape Senior Center, serving lunch to seniors two to four times a week. Doug Watson, president of Regions Bank, started the project almost two years ago after touring the Senior Center as a United Way campaign volunteer.

Twenty-four nominations were received in total and a panel of five local judges chose one winner from each category based on activity, need and impact.

Other nominees included youth volunteers Emma Franklin, Farrar Out Farms, SEMO Peace and Justice Coalition; Taryn Heid, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Chad Sierman, American Red Cross; adult volunteers Brock Alspaugh Big Brothers Big Sisters, Saundra Blankenship, American Red Cross; Kelly Hughes, Conservation Campus Nature Center, Mike Shivelbine, Girl Scouts of Otahki Council; Connie Stahlman, Lutheran Home Hospice; Senior Adult Fred Bollinger, Conservation Campus Nature Center; Helen Hunt, Southeast Hospice; Lester Maevers, Jackson Senior Citizens Foundation and Senior Center; Laverne Nothdurft, Community Caring Council Aging Committee; Shirley Seabaugh; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); and Group volunteers American Legion Auxiliary United 63; Executive Committee, Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary Designer Showhouse of Ideas; Jackson Area Project Charlie; Kage FCE; SADI Shuttle Drivers; Southeast Missouri State University Gymnastics Team; Town & Country FCE.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri serves as the leader in uniting people and resources around health and human service issues to build a stronger and healthier community. VIC recruits volunteers of all ages in order to connect them to resources so that they may work together to create positive change for the community.

For more information about the United Way of Southeast Missouri, contact the organization by phone at 334-9634 or on the Web at www.unitedwayofsemo.org. For more information on VIC, call at 335-7555 or visit the Web site at www.vicrsvp. org.