Human services recognizes those who give

Several volunteers were given a pat on the back during the Pulaski County Human Services 41st annual meeting and volunteer recognition program on April 21. 
Pulaski County Human Services Director Jacki Frain said human services and the volunteers don’t give a handout, they give a hand up. “Because giving a handout is not going to resolve any changes. Giving a hand up creates change.” Their goal is to improve the quality of life. 
She said volunteers are priceless. In 2015, there were 172 people who volunteered for more than 3,800 hours of volunteer time. 
Several organizations were recognized for their volunteering or donations. 
One of the first to be recognized was Kankakee Valley REMC. Gloria Field accepted the 2016 Food Pantry Donor Award on behalf of the organization. She said they gave effortlessly without solicitation. 
Local organizations that were recognized include the Boy Scouts who received the 2016 Community Service Youth Award and the Precious Blood Cluster of St. Henry Parish in Medaryville, St. Francis Parish in Francesville, St. Peter Parish in Winamac, and St. Joseph Parish in Star City, who received the 2016 Community Resource Mobilization Award. 
The Winamac Eagles received the 2016 Community Action Award and the Apostolic Christian Church received the 2016 Community Action Award.
The 2016 Food Pantry Volunteer of the Year was Jane Rausch. Frain said Rausch not only volunteers regularly at the food pantry but also when the food truck arrives.
Two volunteers were recognized as the volunteers of the year at the Von Tobel Center and the Westside Center. The volunteers were chosen by their peers. 
The Von Tobel Center volunteer is Esther Searcy while Pearlie Conley was voted as the Westside Center volunteer. 
Not only are volunteers recognized but also the board members. Judy Heater was awarded the 2016 Volunteer and Community Development Award. Frain said Heater advocates for human services and gets involved in community development.
Frain said she has nominated Heater for the Golden Hoosier nomination. 
Board member Jim Conner received the 2016 Polly Good Outstanding Board Member Award. Conner is the youngest board member and has been involved for almost 10 years.
One of the final awards given was the 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Award. Jane Ewing was the recipient. 
Drivers of the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commissioner’s Arrowhead Country Public Transit Service were also recognized with a certificate for keeping those that they transport safe. They were Dale Richardson, Teresa Cory, Sherry Wall, Michelle Fox, Jan Rich and Romel Scholz. Frain said the drivers average about 120,000-125,000 miles per year.