Dedicated people in our community work to enrich the lives of others every day, in countless ways.  Volunteers work behind the scenes with little acknowledgement but their contributions help others and improve our neighborhoods, schools, and work places.  Here we recognize some outstanding volunteers!  

Pat and Nason Herron

            Pat and Nason Herron have served as volunteers with the Alpena Community College Ropes Course since shortly after it was built in 1999.  Nason maintains the course, eliminating weeds and poison ivy, while Pat is chief facilitator and responsible for facilitator trainings.  Pat is a School Success worker at Lincoln School and Nason is an art instructor at ACC.  The couple also volunteers for RiverFest and are enthusiastic patrons of the arts. 
            The Ropes Course is a series of team-building exercises that teach the importance of team-work and is available for use by the public.  It is used by hundreds of local students as well as adults and is a valuable tool for teaching teamwork and interdependence. The Volunteer Center salutes the Herron’s dedication to this program and acknowledges their dedication. 

Judy Stemkowski

          Director of Huron Humane Society (HHS), Natalie Francis, writes, “Judy Stemkowski has been volunteering at Huron Humane Society for over seven years.  She walks all the dogs in the evening, regardless of season.  She helps when we are short-staffed, on Saturdays and holidays, and transports animals to events.  Recently, a newly adopted dog slipped his collar and, frightened, he ran away into the woods.  Judy spent three days going door to door, putting up posters and pictures and talking to neighbors.  Eventually, she found him, scared and hungry, but safe! Judy shows the utmost commitment and compassion for animals and we are blessed to have her as a volunteer.”         

Nina Niemetta

     Nina Niemetta is a student in a joint program for Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Social Work at Madonna University/Wayne State University.  She planned to spend the summer in the Alpena area and wanted to do some volunteering.  Coincidentally, the Volunteer Center was seeking someone to assist in updating the Community Service Directory, a comprehensive listing of non-profit agencies and services.  Nina proved ready, willing, and able to fulfill the responsibilities of the job!  She worked several days a week through the summer, updating contacts, services, and functions of hundreds of organizations in a four-county region.  At the same time, she successfully juggled school and family obligations. 

Bonnie Schmitz and Megan Dziesinski

      Volunteers Bonnie Schmitz and Megan Dziesinski help with a Volunteer Center mailing.  Volunteer Center programs and the services they provide the community would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers.