Public Relations & Volunteer Spotlight

Marilyn Johnson
Public Relations Director & Volunteer Coordinator

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Mission Statement

The mission
of Heartland
Senior Services
is to help
create a community
that values
older people
and supports
them in
achieving and
maintaining
their desired
quality of life.

Public Relations & Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

High Society Tea Committee

At left: Heartland's High Society Tea Committee members Doris Stukenberg, Angie Boyd (HSS Activities Director), June Cotter, Barb Kenney, Cay Peet, Ruth Larson, and Donna Erickson

At right: Tea Committee members June Sorenson, Donna Erickson, and Irene Sawnson set up a sample tea table during a planning meeting.

They were the heroines of the afternoon, this committee of eight who planned Heartland’s Afternoon High Tea, February 8. Together they blended their expertise of ideas, recipes, and resources for a splendid afternoon of friendship and joy.

This tea committee is the personification of the aging adage: better, not older. Without giving too many secrets away, the median age of the committee is close to 80.

What made the tea so successful is that each member of the group brought her lifetime experience to the planning table. Co-Chairs Cay Peet and Donna Erickson have a background with ACTORS, so they know about putting successful productions together with skilled teamwork. June Sorenson and Irene Swanson have had their capable hands on community projects in Ames for 50 years. (They discovered they had worked together as Campfire moms years ago!) Ruth Larson is recognized in the community as the expert cucumber slicer and, with her Norwegian baking skills, was an imperative part of the group, (not too mention getting her whole family involved in the decorations!) June Cotter had been a fundraiser/volunteer coordinator for a non-profit organization in Connecticut, so ideas and promotions are right up her alley. Doris Stukenberg was a teacher for 36 years and spent 16 years as a housemother for college fraternities. Don’t think she doesn’t understand how to acquiesce a hungry crowd! And Barb Kenney, another retired teacher, actually volunteers at Christie Vilsack’s teas each month at Terrace Hill!

Put these women together, stir vivaciously, and, voila! An afternoon to be happily remembered for a long time. The full house not only provided a joyous occasion but also raised funds for Heartland’s Activity Department under the direction of Angela Boyd. Thank you, Committee, for all your hard work, support of Heartland, and living example of Life in Full Bloom!

Previous Volunteer Spotlight Honorees

email: hsservices2@qwest.net phone: (515) 233-2906 fax: (515) 233-6986

Last modified 3 March 2006 wjh