"I have always volunteered," said Cindy Horan who won the Distinguished Volunteer Award for the YMCA last year.

For seven years, Horan was on the board of directors at the YMCA. Every year a goal is set for the annual budget and with Horan's help, the YMCA surpassed their annual support campaign last year.

"I like working with groups. I have always worked with nice people that are willing to try new things. While on the YMCA board we implemented weekly meetings and had everyone on the fund raising campaign report to a team leader each week. This way we always knew where we were at," said Horan.

This is not the first time she has won an award for volunteering. When she was in high school, Horan won an award for putting in 1,000 hours of service as a candy striper at Sacred Heart Hospice. She was a past Girl Scout and 4-H leader when her daughter, Jackie, was young. She is currently on the advisory board for electronics at Riverland Community College.

"I enjoy going to meetings. I was the chairperson for the advisory board for 10 years. I also belong to a quilt guild and am on the building fundraising committee for Geneva Lutheran Church," said Horan.

Motivation is the key to being a good volunteer, said Horan. She doesn't mind getting out and talking to people or calling them up. She follows through with the goals she sets.

"People like to do things with me, as I am a good listener. I like to listen to new ideas. I have always had great people to work with and who are willing to try new things," she said.