City of Pendleton recognizes volunteers
The City of Pendleton has presented its 2023 volunteer awards.
Each year, city departments nominate volunteers for the honor, and a committee selects the award winners. Those winners were recognized during the Pendleton City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 2.
“The City of Pendleton’s Volunteer program was formally established in 2009, though the spirit of volunteerism began long before,” Pendleton Public Library Director Jennifer Costley said before presenting the awards. “In 2022, 553 citizens were signed up to volunteer in our various departments, and 122 volunteers performed 2,657 hours of service during this period. Tonight, we are recognizing some of our outstanding volunteers.”
Recognized were:
President’s Volunteer Service Awards
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a national volunteer awards program, recognizing citizens who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month period. The award intends to encourage citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.
The City of Pendleton recognized six volunteers with the Bronze Award: Jackie Talbot, Judi Zoske, Judy Malcom, Marjie Prowant, Sherry Zweig and Nathan O’Daniel.
- Jackie contributed 114 volunteer hours.
- Judi Zoske contributed 143
- Judy Malcom contributed 142
- Marjie Prowant contributed 142
- Nathan O’Daniel contributed 111 hours
City of Pendleton Volunteer Awards
The Civic Engagement Award is presented to an individual that serves on a city-appointed board, committee or commission who has shown impactful civic leadership in our community through that role. The 2022 Civic Engagement Award winner is Joseph Hull.
A current member of the Planning Commission, Hull provides insightful knowledge of building trades and construction techniques, leading to meaningful discussion and change. Hull is a leader and an advocate, demonstrating both of these qualities through his work to bring the City’s future sports complex from concept to reality, and his role as Vice President of the Planning Commission.
Hull was nominated by former City Planner George Cress who said, ”Joseph has presided over several difficult meetings where leadership and knowledge of challenging and controversial topics has led to insightful decision making.”
The Volunteer Group of the Year is presented to a group that has significantly contributed to city departments through volunteer service. The 2022 Volunteer Group of the Year is the Pendleton Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board.
James Simpson, Assistant Library Director, said “The Library Teen Advisory Board meets once a month to discuss ways the library can improve its teen services, including programming, collection development and more. In 2022, the Teen Council was instrumental in creating the libraries Teen Gaming Center and kickstarting Teen Escape Rooms. As a result of their efforts, we have seen teen library program participation increase from 49 in 2021 to 131 in 2022. Teen Board has been invaluable in the library’s effort to improve teen services.”
Pendleton High School’s National Honor Society was also recognized as the runner up in the Volunteer Group of the Year category.
The Volunteer of the Year is selected based on outstanding service to the City of Pendleton. The 2022 Volunteer of the Year is Brian Roe.
When asked to describe Brian’s contribution to the city, recreation supervisor Jon Bullard stated, “Brian has been an absolute rock star! He served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Mother Son Super Hero Training as well as last year’s movies in the park. He has volunteered his time as the on the floor photographer for both Daddy Daughter Dance and Breakfast with Santa AND the man never fails to arrive in costume.”
In closing the volunteer recognition, Pendleton Mayor John Turner acknowledged and thanked all city volunteers who play a role in enhancing, expanding and delivery quality programs and services to the community.
- May 3, 2023
