FamilyMeans names outstanding volunteer
Lorie Etter receives the Grace B. Stoltze Award
STILLWATER, Minn., May 21, 2012 – Stillwater-based FamilyMeans has awarded Lorie Etter with the Grace B. Stoltze award, the agency’s highest honor given to volunteers for remarkable service. The award is named after Grace B. Stoltze, one of the agency’s founders who herself recognized the importance of volunteerism.
Lorie began volunteering at FamilyMeans in 2002 when she catalogued and organized the agency’s educational and resource materials. Since then, she has volunteered more than 3,000 hours in a wide variety of volunteer roles.
“Lorie’s presence as a volunteer has been an extraordinary gift at FamilyMeans,” said Margaret Irwin, volunteer and Day Out! coordinator. “She brings energy, enthusiasm, generosity, wisdom and compassion with her in everything she does.”
Over the years Lorie has been involved in the agency’s Caregiver Support program. She has been a respite volunteer with the agency and also through the AmeriCorps team with FamilyMeans where volunteers her time with children and adults of all ages who have disabilities or chronic illnesses. Lorie was instrumental in coordinating the annual Poinsettia Sale in which proceeds raised benefited the Caregiver Support program.
Most recently, Lorie has taken on a lead volunteer position with FamilyMeans’ Day Out! program, a respite care option for family caregivers. The participants and volunteers of Day Out! enjoy activities from crafts, songs, exercise and games every Friday for four hours at a time.
Lorie is an ardent supporter of FamilyMeans’ annual fundraising events such as Power of the Purse, the Wine Tasting event and the St. Croix Garden Tour where she has served as a coordinator.
“Lorie has been a wonderful ambassador,” added Margaret. “She puts her talents to use in ways that add to our programs such as decorating the room for Day Out! so it coordinates with the theme of the week. She is creative and great at sharing new ideas to keep things fresh.”
In 2011, FamilyMeans benefited from the time and talent of about 325 volunteers who provided 17,117 hours of service.
Click HERE to see the Stillwater Patch article featuring Lorie Etter.