2008 Volunteer Appreciation Event
In July 2008, the UIHC Volunteer Services invited our volunteers to a gathering in appreciation of our service to the UIHC. This wonderful event featured speakers, a tour of UIHC facilities and our annual awards. Thank you to Jean Reed and the UIHC Volunteer Services for their support. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
Jean Reed, the newly appointed director of Volunteer Services, spoke about the impact of TPP on the UIHC. According to Jean, as of August 2007 our volunteers had recorded nearly 19,000 hours for creating items for infants at the UIHC. Using the Independent Sector’s dollar value of volunteer time for 2006, Jean determined that this gift of time would be worth over $350,000. What a staggering figure!
Then I presented our annual awards. For the volunteers who were unable to attend this event, I would like to share the following:
Welcome to the 2008 gathering of Preemie Project volunteers. Thank you to Jean Reed and the rest of the UIHC Volunteer Services Staff for hosting this lovely event. As I prepared to speak to you all this evening, my thoughts drifted to when The Preemie Project began. In April 2005, I had a idea for a “little project” to craft hats, booties and blankets for babies in the NICU at the UIHC. Realizing that I needed help, I posted a request for volunteers on the “Iowa Chicks Knitting” group blog. That post generated five willing crafters. An official name and website for my “little project” soon followed as people across the country began mailing their gorgeous items in support of infants in Iowa. From the beginning, I was totally awe-struck by the generosity of crafters across the country.
Over the past three years, we have received donations from approximately 400 people from across the country. The Preemie Project expanded to include bereavement items to the NICU, PICU and Labor and Delivery. In addition, we support families in the NICU with baby care items (clothing, formula, etc), and food to eat during their stay. We also hold quarterly work group weekends, at which we sew at least 200 blankets in two days. These activities are all made possible by the funds raised at our regularly scheduled craft and bake sales.
Clearly, what was once my “little project” has grown into a full fledged organization run by numerous volunteers. The success of TPP simply would not have been possible without your support! Our volunteers are SO dedicated and it never ceases to amaze me. It has been an honor to work with each of you and I look forward to what we will achieve together in the coming years. On behalf of TPP, I would like to thank you for the time you have given to support our mission.
On behalf of The Preemie Project’s Board of Directors, thank you to the following people for their dedicated service:
“One Year of Service” Awards List
Alice Langemann, Barbara Myre, Beth Welch, Callie Byers, Carol O’Neill, Christina Franklin-Freeman, Debbie Kakavas, Debbie Paulson, Emily Thomas, Diane Olson, Donna Tompkins, Dorothy Hockenberg, Eileen Vogel, Elizabeth Binder, Erma Edwards, Harriet Moore, Jean Frauenholtz, Jenny Olson, Joni Lakin, Joyce Fountain, Karla Stout, Kerry Dlouhy, Leslie Gentry, Lia Shields, Marcia Williams, Marilyn Luebke, Mailyn Parigian, Marlys Harriott, Mary Ann Sheets, Mary Pat Mitchell, Michele Hogue, Patty Haman, Ronna Yates, Sarah Lowen, Sheri Null, Shirley Burger, Teri Nagel,
Tiffany Morgan.
“Two Years of Service” Awards List
Amy Welt, Beth Moore, Beverly Rankin, Brie Roth, Carla Lyons, Carolyn Hill, Cedra Williamson, Chris Miller, Connie Tipsword, DaNae Mikesh, Darlene Welsh, Debbie Cowherd, Deb Nollen-Richter,
Debra Harland, Harriet Johnson, Harriet Moore, Isabel Zvorak, Jane Jones, Jean Frauenholtz, Judy Carpenter, Karen Jacobsen, Karla Stout, Kate Paulline, Kathleen Todd, Kerry Dlouhy, Lana Johnson,
Lia Shields, Lin Swanson, Linda Bowton, Marilyn Luebke, Martha Schlicht, Mary Pat Mitchell, Michele Hogue, Nancy Fisher, Nancy Miller, Ruth Baldwin, Ruth Dawson, Sara Harrington, Shelly Funk,
Sherri Parson, Shirley Burger, Stephanie Mrse, Tracy Batchelder.
“Three Years of Service” Awards List
Cathy Kaman Ryan, Darlene Welsh, Debbie Cowherd, Jan Berry, Harriet Johnson, Lana Johnson, Lin Swanson,
Thank you to the following volunteers for their dedication to their committee!
Bereavement Committee MVP: Sherri Null
Fundraising Committee MVP: Nancy Fisher
Community Outreach Committee MVP: Emily Thomas
Our first Group Award was given to the Relief Society Women of LDS-Dubuque in appreciation for the HUGE bags of items they consistently send our way. We appreciate your support!
The “Hooks on Fire“ award was given to the following volunteers for consistently donating large quantities of items. These ladies are amazing and we find ourselves wondering if they have worn their crochet hooks thin yet! DaNae Mikesh and Martha Schlicht
The Work Group MVP award was given to the following volunteers for their consistent participation in our quarterly work group weekends. We couldn’t do it without you! Michele Hogue, Mary Ann Sheets and Judy Carpenter
The evening wrapped up with tours of the Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care and Labor and Delivery Units at the UIHC.
Jessica Phillips, an RN in the NICU, lead tours of the outside of the NICU. Due to privacy laws we were only allowed to go as far as the hallway outside the unit. The volunteers enjoyed looking at pictures in the “Hallway of Hope” outside the NICU.
Jane Wilkins, Director of the UIHC’s Touching Heart’s Bereavement Program, lead tours of the Labor and Delivery Suite. Here she is showing the volunteers where TPP’s bereavement items are kept.
Visit our photo gallery to view all of the photos from this event.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for their enthusiastic support. We are so lucky to have the support of such dedicated, talented, kind people. Our success is a direct reflection of you!
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