Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – April 24, 2024
As part of National Volunteer Week, Siena Francis House held our 2023 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, April 24th at the Thompson Alumni Center on the campus of University of Nebraska Omaha. With the expressed purpose of paying tribute to, and honoring our amazing volunteers, we had a terrific turnout, with 100 people in attendance for this fun, spirited and uplifting event.
Click HERE to enjoy these wonderful photos from the event!
Click HERE to view the Siena Francis House Volunteer Celebration Video.
2024 VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS:
Patti Herndon-Papek
Amy Nelson
Group Volunteer of the Year: Viterra
For nearly 150 years, Viterra has been an ag industry leader, maintaining high standards to supply sustainable, traceable, and quality-controlled agricultural products. They have built a global agricultural network and have earned farmers’ business with their expertise and commitment to service that helps meet the needs of each customer. At Siena Francis House, their same commitment to service helps us achieve our mission. Last year, the employees from Viterra made a monthly commitment to serve lunch to our guests, and since then they have provided nearly 90 hours of their time for this purpose. We are so grateful for your support, and today we are honored to present you with the Group Volunteer of the Year award!
Individual Volunteer of the Year: Patti Herndon-Papek
To celebrate her remarkable dedication and commitment to service, it is with great honor that we recognize Ms. Patti Herndon-Papek as the Individual Volunteer of the Year for her invaluable contributions to the Siena Francis House. In 2023 alone, Patti generously volunteered an astonishing 74 times, devoting nearly 200 hours of her time to serving those in need. Her unwavering dedication is not just measured in hours but in the genuine care and kindness she extends to every individual she encounters. With a warm smile adorning her face, you can often find her at the dessert station, where her passion for helping others shines brightly. Although she is not one for recognition, it is with a tremendous amount of pride and gratitude that we recognize the profound impact she has on Siena Francis House by serving our guests love and compassion.
Hall of Fame: Carol Martin and Sue Awender
This mother/daughter team can be seen serving dinner every week at Siena Francis House. When asked how they got started, Sue said that when Carol retired, she told her mother she needed to do “something,” so Sue signed them up to volunteer, “And 17 years later, we are still having fun!” Not only can you find them serving dinner, but they also volunteer their time during special events, such as the annual Super Bowl party. In 2023 alone, they served a combined total of 142 hours! For over a decade and a half, they have supported our mission, and it is for this commitment and dedication to those we serve that we are honored to present them with the Volunteer Hall of Fame award.
Suppose you haven't had an opportunity to volunteer at the Siena Francis House. In that case, we invite you to visit our VolunteerHub site (available HERE), follow the incredibly easy directions to create a personalized account, and sign up for a shift or more! If you have additional questions or need assistance finding the right opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Services at volunteer@sienafrancis.org or 402-341-1821.
