Pat Hinz, Adams, was selected volunteer of the year by the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Tuesday, August 17, 1999

Pat Hinz, Adams, was selected volunteer of the year by the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross.

The award was announced at the 82nd annual meeting of the chapter Monday night at the Corcoran Center at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Austin.

Hinz is also the out-going chairperson of the chapter’s board of directors.

According to her Red Cross peers, like to many others, she has a "Red Cross heart" full of compassion for helping others.

The honor was a surprise to Hinz, a music educator and church organist, as well as volunteer activist for many years in Adams. She was at the podium frequently Monday night to officiate at the annual meeting and salute other Red Cross notables, but had to return to accept the award.

Hinz expressed her gratitude to all for the award.

"I don’t think people realize all that the Red Cross does," Hinz said afterwards. "There are so many things the Red Cross volunteers do including home-safety, the Armed Forces emergency services program and helping train others for saving lives," she said.

She also told a personal story how a family member and her family required the Red Cross’ help, during a flood at Stockton.

Hinz said the Red Cross must "keep on doing all the good things it does" and increase efforts to market the organization before the public to continue to receive their support in dollars and volunteer hours.

Elaine Hansen, executive director, welcomed guests to the Corcoran Center for dinner and the business meeting. She said, "Everyone in this room at one time or another has given time, money or blood to help others."

Alice Tomaschko reported for the nominating committee and announced new first-time three-year term board members, including Milo Lewison, Tony Pierskalla, Sue Roberts, Jim Sheehan and Jan Waller and the addition of Carrie Grunewald, who will serve a two-year term as a youth representative.

Out-going board members were also recognized, including Joan Lewison, Jim Grunewald, Pat Hinz, Lindsey Kroc, Joy Oudekirk and Dave Strom.

An emotional Hansen praised each of the out-going board members for assisting her in the executive director’s duties and others. Hansen said they were the embodiment of people with a "Red Cross heart."

The keynote address, which also matched the theme of the annual meeting and banquet was "Youth – You’re A Life Saver" and was presented by Jan George, executive director of the St. Croix Valley Red Cross chapter at Stillwater.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of service pins to volunteers.

Marietta Hardy was honored for 35 years of service.

Judith Brown and Gerald Dimit were honored for 30 years and Garry Ellingson, Peg Frederick, Richard Guckeen, Monica Johnson and Marian Johnson, 25 years.

Also honored Monday night for their volunteer efforts were Ruth Distad, Jim Drake and Fern Paschke, 20 years; Edith Anderson, Tillie Berhow, Carol Landgraf, Nell Madura, Bernice Peterson, Joan Stanek and Leone Van House, 15 years; Irene Anderson, Bernyce Crowder, Virginia Dunlap, Rose Enright, Arlene Hein, Robert Larkin, Monica Lonergan and John Mueller, 10 years; and Judy Bjorndal, Jim Drake, Barbara Mair, Marie Matti, Stan Sabin and Louella Stolzenberg, 5 years.

Last year, the Mower County chapter assisted four families with disaster relief after home fires, made smoke detectors and batteries available to more than 2,345 Mower County homes bringing the year-to-date total of 3,650 homes; donated 6,450 hours to the Armed Forces emergency services program; collected 2,365 units of blood at drives across the county; trained over 1,300 people for CPR and First Aid classes and 1,195 were certified, trained 31 lifeguards and certified 484 students in water safety; distributed personal care items to 65 people; and, in all, 297 volunteers donated 13,623 hours to provide Red Cross programs and services to residents of Mower County.