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Superior man honored as Adult Volunteer of the Year |
| Channels » Home » News » Superior man honored as Adult Volunteer of the Year |
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September 17, 2003 |
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This article by Rebecca Johns was reprinted with permission from the Sept. 17, 2003, edition of The Daily Telegram, Superior, Wis.
The gift of making others feel loved and cared about is not as common as it should be in today's society, but there are those few people whose giving nature is so much a part of who they are that they shine brightly despite their humble hearts.
The Wisconsin Health Care Association recently handed out the Adult Volunteer of the Year award to one such Superior resident. Volunteer and taxi cab driver Mike Ryan's brightness stood out from among nominations submitted across the state.
Paula Kenemore, Beverly Health and Rehabilitation activity director, said Ryan has been sharing his gift with facility residents for six years. Ryan's wife is a resident of the facility; however, his capacity for sharing reaches well beyond himself and his family. Kenemore notes Ryan's daily presence as a volunteer has made life for residents joyful and exciting.
Among his many duties, Ryan gives up his time off and weekends to drive the facility van for all resident outings. He makes sure residents spend time with family members by taking them to their homes on holidays. They enjoy fresh air when he takes them fishing. Helping residents with a game or two of bingo on Monday and Wednesday nights, and grilling hotdogs and hamburgers with a smile and a joke for resident picnics are just a few of his many unofficial duties.
Kenemore notes she does not have to ask, she just knows Ryan will be there every day.
"In eight years as an activity director, I have never been so fortunate as to have a volunteer like Mike Ryan," she stated in her nomination letter to the WHCA.
"If I'm a good volunteer, it's because the people I work with are the best," Ryan said.
Ryan received the award at the Shinning Star Luncheon, which was held last Tuesday during the WHCA's annual conference.
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