For the past few months, the United Way Volunteer Center has been accepting nominations for the upcoming Spirit of Sheboygan Volunteer Awards. When the deadline for nominations came, we closed the day with more than 80 nominations coming from individuals, non-profit organizations and company representatives. After intense review of all of the applications by members of the Volunteer Center Advisory Committee, the following finalists were selected to be recognized in each category:

• Community Spirit Award
  • ACUITY
  • HSA Bank
  • Johnsonville Sausage
  • Kohler Company
  • Sargento Foods
• Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Gina Covelli, Lakeland College
  • Foua Hang, Lakeshore Technical College
  • Tony Klockow, Kohler Credit Union
  • Chip Schuman, Sargento Foods
  • Craig Yoder, Johnsonville Sausage
• Faith-Based Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Linda Cates
  • Judy McNulty
  • Bob Radzins
  • Mary Tryggeseth
  • David Van Zummeren
• Group/Team Volunteers of the Year Award
  • Pat Morrison & Linda Raeder
  • Susan Prater & John Pierce
  • Sheboygan County AIDS Task Force
  • Sheboygan Symphony Carolers
  • United Way of Sheboygan County Business Champions
• Individual Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Cheryl Darrow and Sawyer (her therapy dog)
  • Carla DeMaster
  • Brian Gensch
  • AnnMarie King
  • Gary Lacy
  • Mary Ann Luedke
  • Ray Petersohn
  • Gerry Plehn
  • Marge Sonnenburg
  • Marge Voigt
• Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Eleanor “Tippy” Jung
  • Wayne LeClair
  • Denny Moyer
  • Ron Pfister
  • Joan Rothwell
• Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors Award
  • Cedar Grove Belgium Bronco Youth Football Program Board of Directors
  • Habitat for Humanity Lakeside Board of Directors
  • Maywood Board of Directors
  • Meals on Wheels Board of Directors
  • Sharon S Richardson Community Hospice Board of Directors
• Perseverance in Volunteerism Award
  • Tamaney Augustin
  • Shirley Brey-Traas
  • Judi Facinelli
  • Jean Fuerst
  • Lenny Melanz
• Youth Volunteer Star Award
  • Emma Craven
  • Melissa Oxtoby
  • Elle Tuenissen
  • Our Savior’s Lutheran Youth Group and Confirmation Class

Each of these individuals, groups and companies will be recognized at the first annual Spirit of Sheboygan Volunteer Awards on February 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Blue Harbor. One winner in each category will be announced. In addition, the Volunteer Center will announce the total impact of volunteers in Sheboygan County for 2015!

We are now accepting registrations for the event. You may register online at uwofsc.org/events/spiritawards. If you have any questions about the event, please contact me at emily@uwofsc.org or (920) 458-3425. I hope to see a huge crowd supporting all of these exceptional volunteers!