The Heart of Willamalane

In 2024, 360 volunteers participated in 94 opportunities with the district, totaling over 10,778 volunteer service hours. That’s the equivalent of five full-time employees working 40-hour weeks for a year! 

To celebrate these amazing volunteers, Willamalane hosted a volunteer appreciation event at the Dorris Ranch barn during Volunteer Appreciation Month in April. At the event, several volunteers were awarded for going above and beyond in their service. 

Ice Storm Impact Award

After the 2024 ice storm, volunteers jumped at the opportunity to help Willamalane staff at clean-up events in Willamalane parks. One volunteer, Clara Emlen, attended every single clean-up event (nine total), spending 29.5 hours restoring parks. Overall, Clara volunteered 77 hours with park services in 2024.

Ghostly Golf Go-Getter Award

Each October, Camp Putt transforms into a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course completely decked out with Halloween decorations. In 2024, David Dearth volunteered 131 hours at Ghostly Golf, ensuring the event ran smoothly and even supplied additional decorations, including a pumpkin spice-scented fog machine and fog bubbles. David’s support and enthusiasm for Ghostly Golf earned him the Ghostly Golf Go-Getter Award. Throughout 2024, David contributed a total of 164.5 volunteer hours.

Parks Award 

Of the 190 hours Marie McNeil volunteered in 2024, 85 of those hours were dedicated to parks. Marie spent Tuesdays and Thursdays maintaining the food pantry garden plot at Thurston Community Garden, which produced more than 1,300 lbs of produce in 2024. Her hard work in the garden came full circle as she spent Fridays volunteering in the food pantry at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, serving fresh produce to those in need. When Marie started volunteering, she didn’t have much gardening experience, but she learned quickly and went on to train new volunteers. Marie also volunteered with ice storm clean-ups and several other opportunities that supported special events, adult services, and various programs.

Events and Programming Award 

Betty Meyer has been a volunteer since 2018, volunteering regularly with the trips program. She also supports other activities at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, including supporting monthly community breakfasts and serving as an Island Park Art Gallery ambassador. She also helped with Turkey Stuffer packet pickup, a travel Lunch and Learn, Holiday Marketplace, Harvest Tea, stuffed cookies for Haunted Hayride, and even volunteered for summer concerts, helping with concession food prep and at the event admissions. In 2024, Betty contributed 156 hours of service to the district. 

Sharon Taylor Services Award 

This award honors those who go above and beyond, embodying selfless dedication and service to older adults in our community. In 2024, Nancy Kay volunteered a whopping 450 hours. However, it’s the quality, not just the quantity, of her volunteer efforts that makes her stand out. Nancy spends most of her time at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, volunteering as a coffee bar host and SHIBA counselor, helping beneficiaries navigate the complex Medicare system. To serve in this role, Nancy underwent 40+ hours of training. Nancy also trains new coffee bar host volunteers, bakes banana bread and other treats to share with visitors, volunteers at events, and builds meaningful connections with community members.

The dedication of Willamalane volunteers turns every hour into something greater, expanding Willamalane’s reach and deepening the impact of events, programs, and services in Springfield. Thank you to all 360 individuals who gave their time and talents this year to support Willamalane’s mission and make a difference in our community.

Volunteer with Willamalane

Volunteers support several programs at Willamalane, including adult services and recreation, special events, park services, and more. Check out these upcoming opportunities:

• May 14: Woodland Wednesday
• June 28: Children's Celebration