Volunteers in Action (VIA) recognized outstanding volunteers on April 16 at the 32nd Annual Volunteers of the Year Awards. The event at the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library was sponsored by WNKY News 40, American Legion Post 23, and BGMU.
Anne Grubbs Spirit of Service Award: Linda Krutza
This award recognizes individuals who excel in quality, length, and spirit of service to others.
Krutza has a drive and commitment to improve the quality of life for all in our community. She serves on the Community Education Board of Directors, as the chair of its Advisory Council, on the 50th anniversary planning committee, Blockbusters at the Ballpark, Stand for Children Day, and Teen Angel. Krutza also serves at Hope House; the Institutional Review Board at Western Kentucky University; VIA’s Executive Committee; the steering committee of Vision: a multi-agency council of Warren County; Rich Pond Baptist Church and various ministries.
Team Spirit Award: First Christian Church Community Grocery
This award recognizes groups who work together to provide service in the community.
First Christian Church operated a food pantry for more than 20 years in downtown Bowling Green. However, in August 2021, the church decided to try a two-week grocery store model where each guest was allowed to “shop” at no cost for the items they wanted. Feedback from the trial was so positive that FCC moved to a permanent grocery model in October of that year. They now offer each “neighbor” (their name for food recipients) the opportunity to shop for what they need and want in a more typical grocery shopping experience. The volunteers at the Community Grocery walk alongside their neighbors with dignity, compassion, and respect while supplementing their food needs.
Rookie Award: Judi Clark
This award recognizes an individual or group who is new to volunteering, starting their service with an organization during the last 24 months.
Scottsville First United Methodist Church member and RSVP volunteer, Judi Clark, operates the food pantry and hot meal kitchen through the church’s outreach ministry programs. The Hand-Up Food Pantry & Clothes Closet offers shelf-stable items to qualifying residents and clothing and household items for families. The pantry serves 20-25 families each week. The Open Hearts Café is open once a week for residents to enjoy a free, hot, home-cooked, nutritious meal. As a retiree, Clark shops for food, sorts donations, plans meals for the café menu, and operates the facilities while supervising volunteers and assisting clients with paperwork. From writing grants and securing funding and resources, to operating Christmas toy drives, Clark makes an impact on those in need.
Spirit of Community Award: Starbucks
This award recognizes an organization or business that merits special recognition for volunteer service in the community.
Starbucks as a corporation gives back globally in significant ways, but the local store on Scottsville Road makes a tremendous impact on the Bowling Green-Warren County community in a million ways. Coffee leaps to mind as the logical donation that Starbucks provides to nonprofit events. However, Starbucks not only donates its goods, but the Scottsville Road store also provides volunteers and space for fundraising events. For 11 years they have hosted the Teen Angel Donation Blast on the first Friday in December to raise money for teenagers who need Christmas assistance. They also built and maintain a mini food pantry behind their store. The staff at this Starbucks quietly provides homeless people with a place to sit out of the elements, a warm beverage, and something to eat. They provide compassion while maintaining dignity.
Other volunteers recognized included Jerry Bray, Sandy Riley, Ashlea Shepherd, David Smith, Stephanie Weckerly, American Bank & Trust, Patricia Brown & Dorothy Taylor, Leadership Bowling Green Class 2023, Boy Scouts of America – Troops 705 and 1920, Cindy Campbell, and Max Marley.
Special thanks to Me & My Girls Catering, Oak Tree Awards and Recognition, Rickman Pottery, Vid Monster Productions, and Warren County Public Library.
Volunteers in Action consists of organizations that rely on volunteers and those who volunteer in the community. For more information on VIA or the Volunteer of the Year Awards, contact Joshua Smith at 270-842-4281 or jsmith@commed.us.
-submitted by Joshua Smith
