CFX-Morning Sun Volunteer of the Week

We all know someone who has helped make Central Michigan a better place because of their willingness to become involved. They help with no desire for public recognition, but we feel they deserve to be recognized for a job well done. Complete the CFX Volunteer of the Week nomination form and your special person may be our next CFX Volunteer of the week.

Volunteer of the Week - 08/01/2010

This week's Volunteer of the Week honor goes out to Jodi Stuber. Jodi Stuber is co-founder and director of HopeWell Ranch. HopeWell Ranch is a non-profit organization that desires, through the use of rescued horses to reach out to children and people who may have emotional, spiritual, physical and social needs. The ranch serves children from age 5 to adults, by pairing an individual with a caring staff member and an equine counselor so their time is just their own. HopeWell Ranch also serves the entire family. Many siblings have joined the program and parents receive support through the Parents Supporting Parents Group that meets monthly to discuss topics unique to their family's situation.  Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at HopeWell Ranch. There is a Junior Volunteer Program for ages 12-18 as well as an Adult Volunteer program. The ranch also offers internship opportunities for CMU students in all aspects of work performed at the ranch. HopeWell Ranch has the Cowboy Ball coming up on October 2, 2010. It is a fundraiser which includes dinner, an auction and dancing. All proceeds will go to support the ranch. Jodi Stuber, we thank you for your dedication to our community. Congratulations on being Volunteer of the Week!

Volunteer of the Week - 06/28/2010

This week's Volunteer of the Week honor goes out to Becky Kaniski. In college Becky volunteered her time at a physical rehab center and each year with the Special Olympics. She also worked with Big Brothers and Big Sisters as a big sister to a young girl. Now that she has two girls of her own she has spent the last five years as a troop leader for not just one troop…but two!  Becky dedicates every Tuesday, from September through June, to her troops. She works hard planning meetings and outings for the girls. She spends the time working with the girls and feels that children need to have positive role models in life. Becky feels it is important to be a volunteer because everybody should give something back to the community they live. Becky Kaniski, we thank you for your dedication to our community. Congratulations on being Volunteer of the Week!

Volunteer of the Week - 06/07/2010

This week's Volunteer of the Week honor goes out to Cori Wolfgang. Cori manages to raise a family, work full-time as a 911 dispatcher, volunteer his time helping the Clare police department and is a captain at the Garfield Fire Department. For just over a year now, Cori has been helping to keep the officers and citizens in his community safe, by riding along with the full-time officers so they have a second person in the car with them. He is also available to help with any events taking place in the city that need safety volunteers. Eleven years ago Cori started out as a volunteer for the Garfield Fire Department and over the years he has now worked his way up to Captain. He is also a training officer for the department. Each month he holds training sessions as well as any additional training opportunities that may arise. The Garfield Fire Department is comprised solely of volunteers, so any time there is an emergency call Cori is there. Cori feels that it is important to volunteer in order to help the community you live in. Small communities cannot handle running departments without the help of volunteers to keep them going. Cori Wolfgang, we thank you for your dedication to our community. Congratulations on being Volunteer of the Week!

Volunteer of the Week - 05/30/2010

This week's Volunteer of the Week honor goes out to Amy Ervin. In addition to running a household and working at FirstBank Amy still somehow finds the time to spend many hours volunteering for several groups and organizations in our community. For the past 10 years she has become involved in several activities either through family or work. Amy is a t-ball coach, volunteers for the Special Olympics as well as being involved with the Optimist Group, Jaycees and Junior Achievement. Working at FirstBank also allows her to be a part of Adopt-A-Family, Christmas Outreach and Toys for Tots. In addition to giving through work Amy says that she always adopts additional families and includes her children so that they can learn how important it is to give as well. The most recent addition to the long list of volunteer activities has been fundraising for Rock n the Rock a Thon at Woodland Hospice. Those involved must raise funds and acquire donations and then rock in a rocking chair for many hours. Amy feels that it is important to give back to the community as well as to set a good example for future generations. Those that are in a position to give should help people in the community that are less fortunate. Amy Ervin, we thank you for your dedication to our community. Congratulations on being Volunteer of the Week!