It's National Volunteer month and volunteers everywhere are being honored for their contributions.

Mower County recognized the contributions volunteers make to the quality of life at a banquet Monday night.

Al Cordes, the county's human resource director, welcomed the guests to the Mower County Senior Center in downtown Austin for the banquet.

The theme of this year's recognition event was to echo Sir Winston Churchill's observation: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

David Hillier, Mower County Commissioner, District No. 3, gave the invocation.

Len Miller, Mower County Commissioner, District No. 4, praised the county's over 300 volunteers, saying, "The Mower County Board thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for the contributions you make to the quality of life in Mower County."

After dinner, the program began with individual department heads recognizing volunteers.

Tom Neilon, director of Mower County Correctional Services, introduced Larry Andersen, who coordinates the Mentor Program.

"The County Commissioners have really supported this program and Larry Andersen has done an excellent job in administering it," Neilon said.

Andersen said the contributions made by mentor volunteers to help troubled youths are an example of government at its best. "Mentoring a youth one-on-one is probably the most effective

way of dealing with youths," Neilon said.

Andersen called the mentor volunteers a group of men and women who use their "character and skills where they will do the most good: working with children.""

According to Andersen, Mower County has 150 mentor volunteers and children/youths. Presently, there is a waiting list of

nine boys and eight girls, who are seeking mentors.

Daryl W. Franklin, county planner, honored Prairie Visions volunteers, including those who serve on the Shooting Star recreation trail subcommittee.

Prairie Visions is a joint ventures effort of residents of Rose Creek, Adams, Taopi and LeRoy..

The recreation trail

from LeRoy across the county to Austin is their most ambitious project.

According to Franklin, the trail will be developed from Lake Louise State Park near LeRoy to Taopi this summer and Taopi to Adams in 2003-2004.

"We wouldn't have this trail if it weren't for this hard-working group of Prairie Visions volunteers," Franklin said.

Ann Walter, Mower County Extension Service educator. honored 4-H volunteers.

According to Walter, the county has 200 volunteers who assist over 500 youths involved in 4-h programming and activities.

Carmen Thompson, another Extension Service educator, honored the county's Master Gardeners.

The county now has 16 certified Master Gardeners, who share their knowledge and skills with others to protect and enhance the environment.

Thompson also honored 20 members of the Mower County Extension Home Council, who promote education and awareness among residents.

Jeff Weaver, Mower County recycling program coordinator and solid waste program administrator,

recognized the contributions of volunteers who assist with the annual household hazardous waste program collections.

Twice yearly, the county goes

to different communities to hold the HHW collections and utilized local residents to assist in the proper disposal of the dangerous chemicals.

In the absence of Margene Gunderson, Mower County community health services director, Len Miller

honored those volunteers who assist the public health department in the areas of vision and hearing screening in public schools.

Nitaya Jandragholica, the county's cultural diversity program coordinator, recognized the contributions of volunteers who assist her department.

Correctional Services director Neilon also honored volunteers, who assist with a new program implemented to battle truancy problems in public schools throughout Mower County.

Each of the volunteers received a gift from the Mower County Board.

Cordes was assisted by Kelly Olson, administrative assistant.

The attendance was the largest in the short history of the county recognition event.

The Second Edition singing group under the leadership of Coni Nelson provided musical entertainment.