United Way Offers A Way To Reward Volunteers

Rewards associated with work at a paying job are easily recognizable: Raises, bonuses and performance reviews are accepted - even expected - as part of most jobs.

But ask any volunteer why he or she gives their time and effort and you’ll likely hear, “Because there is a need,” or “Because I can.”

The bounty associated with volunteer work - personal satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, a connection with the community and meeting others with similar values, to name a few - is not tangible.

United Way’s Volunteer of the Year award is tangible recognition of individuals’ and organizations’ community contributions.

United Way will present 17 volunteer awards this year in the following categories: youth, adult, senior, business and industry, public service, education, organized labor and volunteer coordinator.

Nomination forms are available at United Way’s Volunteer Center; telephone 624-2279 or 838-6501. Deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 9.

The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery Auxiliary presented a $30,000 check to the crisis nursery this week, the net profit from Santa Express 1995.

This year, 2,950 shoppers bought 4,648 items at Santa Express, all priced below $5.50.

More than 850 volunteers, including students from every high school in Spokane, donated more than 3,000 hours to make this year’s fund-raiser the biggest success in its four-year history.

A new non-profit organization to assist Eastern Washington senior citizens has been formed. Senior Assistance Fund of Eastern Washington (SAFE) provides services and programs that enable seniors to live in their homes while receiving help to remain independent and self-sufficient.

SAFE will raise contributions and grants from the private sector which will be directed to Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, the publicly funded regional agency serving seniors.

This week’s program for Cheney Cowles Museum’s Wednesday Night Program Series at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24, will explain how curators select objects for museum collections. Slides of artifacts rarely seen by the public will be shown.

Those participating will be Karen DeSeve, archivist; Lynn Pandonim, curator of American Indian Collections; Barbara Racker, curator of art; and Marsha Rooney, curator of history and the Campbell House.

This program complements the museum’s current exhibition, “Recent Acquisitions,” shown through Feb. 11, featuring artifacts obtained by the museum within the past five years.

The Wednesday night series is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.

“Talking With Teens,” a public forum on an array of issues affecting teenagers, will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Spokane City Council Chambers. The public is invited to participate in the forum, moderated by Doug Nadvornick, KPBX news director.

A panel of six adults and a rotating panel of eight teens will be featured. Adult panelists are Mike Cantlon, Mary Langford, Lisa Mattson, Walt Pegram, Anita Raddatz and Merilee Roloff.

Teen panelists include Katie Bruya, Francell Dalbert, Ryan Gallagher, Casey Norris and Jamaica Vandolah.

Audience questions are invited. Admission is free.

The discussion will be broadcast on KPBX Jan. 30 at noon; and at 6 p.m., Feb. 1. City Cable will broadcast the forum at 7 p.m., Feb. 2; 11 a.m., Feb. 3; and at 6 p.m., Feb 4.

The Spokane Lilac Festival Association is preparing for selection of the 1996 lilac princesses. Gonzaga Prep begins the process by choosing its princess Feb. 26. The 12th and final princess will be elected March 21 at Shadle Park High School.

Each princess will receive a minimum of $1,000 in scholarship money and one will be crowned Lilac Queen on April 13 in ceremonies at Shadle. xxxx

This sidebar appeared with the story: FOUNDATION HOLDING DINNER, AUCTION The Whitman Community Hospital Foundation is holding its sixth annual gourmet dinner and auction on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the HillRay Plaza in Colfax, Wash. Last year’s black-tie event raised $10,000 from the 120 attendees. Organizers hope to raise a similar amount this year. The money will be put into a savings account and used on special projects for the Whitman Community Hospital. Items up for bid include a day at Silverwood for a family, a hot air balloon ride for two, a Coeur d’Alene golf package, and several day and weekend trips. A local attorney donated his condo at Schweitzer for one week. The event costs $50 per person and reservations must be received by Thursday. The event is limited to 120 people. For reservations, call (509) 397-3435 or (509) 397-2206. Nina Culver