The Celebrating Volunteers award sponsors have chosen the recipients of this year’s outstanding Fox Valley area volunteer awards, which will be presented during a celebration May 2 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton. Register to attend at www.CelebrateVolunteers.org.

Youth Scholarship Award – Kaylie Bittner for her efforts in launching a clothing and toiletry drive through St. Mary Catholic High School and other local schools to aid students dealing with homelessness.
(Sponsored by Community First Credit Union, the award has resulted in $10,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since 2007 and has awarded $22,000 in scholarships to recipients.)

Dan P. Spalding Volunteer Educator Award – Marie Waddell for the myriad volunteer roles she held at Ferber Elementary School in Appleton, including starting the Blessings in a Backpack food program for students.
(Sponsored by School Specialty, the award has resulted in $100,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it was created in 1998.)

Walter L. Rugland Community Service Award – Jane Dwyre Garton for her many years of volunteering with the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, Leadership Fox Cities, the Community Learning Center, Global Fox Cities, the Kurgan Sister Cities Project, the Multicultural Center and the Friends of the Appleton Public Library.
(Sponsored by Thrivent Financial, the award has resulted in $100,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it became part of Celebrating Volunteers in 1998.)

Paul & Elaine Groth Mentoring Award – Sally Podoski for her mentoring work at multiple agencies in the Fox Cities over the past dozen years. She has worked closely with organizations that serve youth and the elderly.
(Sponsored by the Mielke Family Foundation, the award has resulted in $100,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it was created in 1998.)

Health Care Volunteer Award – Lee Hillstrom for the establishment of the Us TOO Fox Cities Prostate Cancer Support Group and the success of the Neenah Summer Fun Run.
(Sponsored by Ascension and ThedaCare, the award has resulted in $85,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since the it was created in 2000.)

Janet Berry Volunteer of the Year – Mary Downs for her extensive work with NAMI Fox Valley and CHAPS Academy, including serving as chair of the boards.
(Sponsored by The Post-Crescent, the award has resulted in $100,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it became part of Celebrating Volunteers in 1998.)

Hanns Kretzschmar Award For Excellence In The Arts – Carolyn Ragusett for being a key player in the success of Attic Theatre, including serving a dozen years on the board of directors and providing a wide range of support.
(Sponsored by Thrivent Financial, the award has resulted in $65,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it became part of Celebrating Volunteers in 2004.)

Business Partnership Award – United Way Fox Cities & Kimberly-Clark Corp. K-C has worked closely with the United Way since 2010 to coordinate and support the Diaper Bank program, which provides diapers to babies from low-income families.
(Sponsored by SECURA Insurance, the award has resulted in $100,000 being given to the recipients’ charities of choice since it was created in 1998 as the Business of the Year Award.)

Together, the sponsors of the eight awards have provided $660,000 for recipients to give to their favorite charities. The Post-Crescent and the Community Foundation have sponsored the community celebration for 20 years.