Marge Lubbers

Marge Lubbers has been a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteer at the Poverello Center for more than a year now. She manages the Clothing Room, an area of the Center where they provide free clothing for the Missoula community. Marge has used her skills and expertise to organize the room and recruit more volunteers.

Marge has come to live and breathe the Poverello Clothing Room, calling in the evenings or on her days off with ideas and suggestions. She also has recruited her husband and children to assist her in the Room with several projects.

Marge has brought order to an area often in chaos, and her concern, dedication, and work ethic are truly inspiring. The staff members adore and admire her because of what she does and the way in which she serves. If there is an opportunity to place a volunteer with Marge, she provided experience and ideas which often motivates the volunteers to return and begin serving on a regular basis.

The Clothing Room is a cavernous attic area, often overflowing with the generosity of boxes, bags, and piles of unsorted donations, mostly wonderful useful donations as well as some destined for the garbage. Marge diligently and patiently sorts through this sometimes overwhelming sight, and when she leaves several hours later, the room has been transformed, once again, into racks and shelves of clothing that is neatly and pleasingly arranges.

Marge understands that, even though a person may be homeless or in poverty, they still deserve clothing to wear that is arranged in a way that is easy to access. Sometimes this is a thankless job, because she knows the next time she comes in, there will probably be another unruly stack of bags and boxes that need to be rearranged. However, the reward in serving others is great enough to keep Marge coming back week after week.

Rosemary Quast

Missoula, MT has many citizens who depend on Medicare benefits to pay for healthcare needs. However, many seniors have problems understanding their coverage, reading through their statements of benefits, and knowing they are receiving all of the benefits that should be afforded to them.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program was created to assist seniors with their Medicare benefits. Rosemary Quast has been an active SMP volunteer since 2003. During her time of service with the program, she has been invaluable with her dedication and assistance to numerous seniors in Missoula County who have expressed concern over their Medicare coverage.

Rosemary is a highly skilled volunteer who pays acute attention to the details of each case she undertakes. Her knowledge of the medical profession and billing practices combine to make her an ideal volunteer for the SMP Program. Rosemary works with Medicare consumers so they will understand their notices, know what they are being billed for and ensure they are being charged correctly. She is an advocate that provides oversight.

Rosemary has given presentations to groups of Medicare Beneficiaries. She has also assisted in creating a database and system for tracking presentations in the Missoula community. She continually meets the challenges of the Medicare system with a positive attitude, and her thorough investigation of each of her cases is noteworthy.

Without Rosemary’s volunteer service, the SMP Program would not be as effective in the community as it is today. As a result of her time and effort, more citizens understand their coverages, their rights and fully understand their statements each time they are treated.

Donna Cherry

Donna and her husband, Bob Cherry, have been members of the Seeley Lake Senior Citizens group since its inception in the new building. Bob provided input into the building of the facility and Donna has been a driving force in its programs each year. They have both been enthusiastic contributors to the success of the group.

Donna is involved in many ways; however, one of her “babies” is the Red Cross blood-drive. This event has grown from an idea to an event that occurs twice annually. In addition, the donations have increased from thirty-five pints to fifty-five pints per draw. This is exceptional for a town the size of Seeley Lake and Donna has been proud to chair the even for the past 11 years.

Donna has also been the Social Director on the Board of Directors for two separate terms. She has come up with numerous ideas to keep the seniors engaged and active. Donna has worked hard to get the groups to many functions. Some of the activities sponsored by the Social Committee have been trips to the Big Fork Theater, trips to Jackpot and berry picking. It is not always easy to get seniors to move, but Donna has inspired the Seeley Lake group to get involved and stay involved!

Donna also volunteers at the Historical Museum. She helps out there in any way needed and is an enthusiastic supporter as well as a generous contributor. Donna is a member of the Quilters of Seeley Lake and has been a member for the past 10 years. She has been a part of groups that created several quilts to donate to the Senior Center so they can be raffled off as fund raisers. Donna has also been an active volunteer with the first-grade reading program at the Seeley Lake elementary School.

Donna is on hand for activities sponsored by the Seeley Lake Senior Citizens. She takes blood pressure reading at the request of any member and maintains the greeting card service. Donna unfailingly donates baked goods for fundraisers and is a cheerful greater to the clients and guests. She is an active and valued volunteer with the Seeley Lake Senior Center.

Bonnie Hamilton

Bonnie Hamilton is a bright, committed, enthusiastic and caring member of her community. She exemplifies compassion and is willing to sacrifice in order to assist others. Bonnie definitely practices the lifestyle of service and has been acknowledged by the University of Montana School of Social Work as an outstanding senior volunteer.

Bonnie has been instrumental in many areas that have benefited more people that she will ever know. She was one of the persons instrumental in the founding of the Montana Eye Bank. The organizations priority is to help people who have sight needs. They also provide services and education for healthcare providers and hospitals that facilitate cornea donation. Bonnie also was one of the individuals who worked to help pass state legislation that would allow for improvements in the harvesting of corneas.

Bonnie and her family have a heart for children and want all children to have the ability to reach their potential. She helped to create the Mountain Home Montana, which is a residential facility for teen mothers and their children. This 6-bedroom facility provides a safe, loving home where teen mothers can discover their strengths and their children can experience the joys of childhood. Each resident plans their own personal development and sets goals with an on-site social worker. Continuing education is a priority here; if high school is not completed, residents re-enroll in adult education or work towards their GED.

Bonnie and her husband donated funds to establish the ongoing “Bonnie and Phil Hamilton Scholarship.” This will enable Native American graduate students obtain financial assistance while attending the University of Montana School of Social work.

Bonnie’s service to the community does not stop there. She is an ongoing supporter of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. This multi-service organization provides mental health services and programs to emotionally disturbed youth and their families. She is also a panel member on “Positive Aging” for Social Gerontology course at the University of Montana’s School of Social Work. In addition, she developed a portion of her personal property into a neighborhood park for children and families in her community.

Betty Zander

Betty Zander has been working at Summit as a Senior Companion since 1998. She is very committed to her role as a Senior Companion and is also an advocate for the LIGHT program, which assists low-income families with holiday food and gifts.

Betty has provided Senior Companion services to six elders with disabilities in Missoula in the seven years she has worked with Summit. Four of these six matches have been long term relationships. Betty’s matches describe her as very helpful. They also appreciate all she does to make them feel like they can live more independently in their home and in the community.

Betty has been matched with two people who have seizures. Because of a family member who experiences the same condition, Betty is knowledgeable and supportive of people with epilepsy. In addition, two of her matches have mobility problems and two of her other matches’ primary diagnosis is being blind.

One example of Betty’s work as a Senior Companion is when she was matched with a woman named Ruth. She had been a part of Summit’s epilepsy program, but the group disbanded. After that, Ruth’s neighbor passed away and she had no one in town to depend on for transportation to get her errands done along with someone who understood the inconsistency of the seizures and medication she took. Betty was matched with Ruth for nine years until Ruth moved to Great Falls to live closer to her twin sister in the remaining years of their life.

Betty provides comfort, companionship and a listening ear to all of her matches.

Earl Salmonson

Earl is an active member of St. Anthony Parish and of the Catholic Community in Missoula. For a number of years, Earl, along with Ann Moriarty at St. Francis Xavier Church, has spearheaded the Helping Hands Ministry.

Twice each year, Earl organizes volunteers to assist the handicapped and elderly in Missoula who need help in the fall and spring. Earl solicits information from folks who need help with odd jobs such as painting, yard work or minor repairs. He then helps form teams of volunteers to provide the help, time and talent to those in need. The program has been a huge success over the years. Volunteers usually join together for fellowship and a meal at the end of the long days of hard work.

A regular volunteer at the Poverello Center, Earl exhibits his strength, kindness and generosity there as he does everywhere he goes. He has been a financial contributor to the center for years. However, he does not only support financially; Earl also donates food and time. Every fifth Sunday, St. Anthony Parish serves the main meal at the Poverello Center and has done so more often in the past. Earl assists in serving and adding a smile to the faces of those in need in the center.

In addition, Earl has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Earl mobilizes volunteer forces to assist the Missoula chapter of Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing for those in need. Earl believes he should share with others since he has been blessed so much during his life.

Ethel Diettert

Ethel Diettert was born and raised in Missoula, MT. She attended Missoula County High School, and graduated from St. Patrick’s School of Nursing in 1947. In 1949 she married her husband, Gerald Diettert. Together they raised 4 children and have 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She enjoys golfing and reading. In her free time, she knits and sews hats, scarves, blankets and Christmas stockings for local shelters.

Ethel exemplifies the true spirit of senior service. She extends her infectious “can do” attitude to every aspect of her life. She models a life of caring, commitment and distinction for her children and grandchildren. She has spent her life encouraging her family and others to give as fully and freely of their talents and time to benefit people in need throughout Missoula County.

Ethel is every organization’s dream volunteer. She has boundless energy, lively enthusiasm and keen intelligence, combined with a lifelong commitment to community service. Ethel, a retired nurse, has served in the RSVP Volunteer Program for over 16 years, contributing an astonishing 2,800 community service hours to more than 20 Missoula nonprofit agencies.

As an RSVP Volunteer Coordinator, Ethel is a conduit to civic engagement for other RSVP volunteers. Ethel’s admirable skills and abilities have provided the critical support for vital fundraisers and special events to those nonprofit agencies in urgent need of volunteer support. Her efforts support, sustain and benefit organizations and programs, providing assistance to Missoula residents in need. She combines strong medical, organizational and people skills to support the work of nonprofit organizations throughout Missoula County. Ethel contacts and schedules hundreds of RSVP members to assist organizations like the American Red Cross, Saturday Flu Shoot Out, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers and Sisters, the Health Department, First Night Missoula, the YWCA and YMCA, the University of Montana, Missoula Youth Homes, Missoula City Parks and Recreation Department, the Missoula Cultural Council, A Carousel for Missoula and the International Choral Festival, to name a few.

During the school year, Ethel is a deeply respected tutor at Hellgate Elementary. She helps young third grade students with reading, math and other subjects. Jo Fix, the Hellgate classroom teacher, feels that tutors like Ethel are vitally important in the classroom because they can focus exclusive attention on students struggling to improve reading and learning skills. Helping at this young age provides crucial and fundamental educational support to prepare students as they strive to meet basic classroom assignments or advance in higher levels of education. Ethel’s education commitments are deeply rooted in her own experiences and values. She has long recognized that learning to read is necessary for all school subjects and for healthy and successful social and emotional development of children. During her life, Ethel has been aware and responsive to the needs of family, friends, neighbors and the entire Missoula community.

Norman Jacobson

Norm Jacobson has been a dedicated member of the Missoula Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). He began his volunteer service in 2004 and has not stopped since. Norm dedicates most of his service hours to the Traveler’s Rest Preservation and Heritage Association.

Norm has served in various capacities. He signed up for First Aid Classes. He also began mending fences and was a rover on the trail from 2004 to 2005. Norm used his extensive collection of photos that he personally shot to relate more easily to the public. He processed 187 slides of photos relating to trails, which intersect and run through Traveler’s Rest. He later used these to develop his interpretive program called, “When Highways were Trails.”

During the summers of 2005 and 2006, Norm shared his experiences as a retired teacher. He used objects he has created to tell the story of trade at the Traveler’s Rest Preservation and Heritage Association. Currently, his newly refurbished Big Horn Sheep Bow was on display. It has been well received by the public.

Norm supports the park with his regular volunteer days. No matter the weather, Norm is there with a smile on his face and a wonderful spark of enthusiasm for the visitors. He is able to utilize his knowledge of the trails to share with the Traveler’s Rest visitors.

Ed Chrestenson

Ed Chrestenson is a dedicated volunteer with the Missoula Manor Homes. He has served for many years and is looked upon as an integral member of the Manor. Ed’s work ethic is an inspiration to the seniors as well as other volunteers and staff.

Ed has volunteered to sell raffle tickets for the Annual Assistance Endowment Raffle fundraiser since 1999. The Endowment Fund ensures that the organization meets their mission of providing secure, well-maintained, affordable apartments, nutritious meals and other support services. Over the last seven years, Ed has single-handedly raised more than $21,800. Annually, Ed canvasses Missoula selling raffle ticket after raffle ticket. When asked why he makes such a commitment to the Manor, he said he believes in the mission and does it for the residents. Without Ed, they would not have the hugely successful fundraiser.

Ed’ expertise as a cement layer has also come in handy at the Manor. He has repaired small cracks in the sidewalks, given advice on fixing tricky problems, and helped the Manor find contractors willing to do small jobs in the middle of the busy work season. Ed never hesitates to help when asked.

In addition to all that Ed has accomplished for the Manor, in the last few years, he has become an invaluable asset to the Missoula Senior Citizen Center also. Ed is currently the coordinator for Sunday bingo. He is responsible for opening and closing the building. He also provides transportation for another volunteer when needed. Ed also makes sure that there are enough volunteers to make bingo a great success each week. In addition, Ed serves as the cashier for bingo on Tuesdays and Sundays. Missoula Senior Center Director, Annette Sontag says she does not know what she would do without Ed, as he is a mainstay at the Senior Center also.

Ed’s dedication to Missoula does not end there. When the Missoula Law Enforcement sought to create a Law Enforcement Memorial in Rose Park, Ed quickly volunteered to help them reach their goal. He set about diligently raising the needed funds. He then went one step further by motivating his cement industry contacts to donate the cement and installation of the memorial. The Missoula Law Enforcement acknowledged that the monument would not have been possible without the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of Ed Christensen.

Ed’s selfless commitment to the betterment of others through his volunteers work is exceptional. He not only helps others with his service, but his motivational leadership encourages other to get involved and volunteer also.

Leo Lott

Leo Lott began his volunteer service at the Missoula Public Library twenty-two years ago. In 1984, his wife recruited him to assist with the donated gift books and the annual used book sale. He has been a valued volunteer and contributor to the library since that time.

When Leo starting working with the library, the donation system was not organized. Donated books were dumped into boxes and remained in that state. Leo developed a system and began to organize. He sorted the books into categories that paralleled the library’s collections. Leo then organized the categories and priced the books. He worked almost daily and has been keeping this routine for the past 13 years. Leo handles more than 10,000 books per year and coordinates a team of volunteers to assist him throughout the year and during the book sale week.

Leo comes to the library almost every day to check the donations. He enjoys seeing all the gifted books and knowing he can provide them for someone else. Leo is proud of his two of his most recent ideas that have contributed further to the sale of these books. Prior to Christmas last year, Leo put new books on a sale shelf for people to purchase as Christmas gifts. He has also been instrumental in getting permanent sale bookshelves upstairs in the in the library. Due to Leo’s efforts, the sale of these books generates a little over $1,000 per month for the Friends of the Library Organization.

Prior to moving to Montana, Leo taught for twelve years at Ohio State University. He retired in 1980 from the University of Montana where he was a Professor and Chairman in the Political Science Department. Leo believes volunteering keeps him healthy and in touch with what is happening around him.

Leo has an outstanding record of service with the Missoula Public Library. As a result of his dedication, he has been honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 1989. He also contributed more than 500 hours of service during a 12-month time period. Leo’s service is valuable to the organization and will have long-term effects for years to come.