The annual Volunteer Appreciation Party for Jefferson Matters: Main Street volunteers was held Thursday, Feb. 20 at The Forge Fellowship Hall. This is a special night to thank all of the volunteers involved on the board of directors and the teams. Each team meets monthly and works on projects throughout the year. In 2019, over 5,200 volunteer hours were logged and submitted to Main Street Iowa from Jefferson.
President Jamie Daubendiek kicked off the program with his thanks to all of the volunteers. The Great American Main Street Award semi-finalist designation was a highlight of a successful year and was due to so many volunteers being involved. JM:MS submitted 13 nominations for Main Street Iowa awards this year out of 13 categories and Jamie acknowledged each.
Each year, the chairperson from each team selects a person or group to be honored. Here is the honorees along with the commentary as each were announced.
Design: Ann Ober & Deb Kucerak – These two ladies took on another Design project with gusto – the new cluster planters that are a block off the square in all directions. They measured, parked, studied and thought through every detail of these planters. They worked with Shane Olson of Olson Ironworks to determine the size, placement and quantity. The two ladies walked around deciding on the placement of each set and talked with the building owners. They worked with the City as they installed these 8 sets of planters. We think they are gorgeous and will beautify our downtown for years to come. Thank you!
Economic Vitality: Dan & Britt Meythaler are a great team. They have always stepped up to offer their beautiful photography studio for hosting events such as the volunteer party for the past two years and a huge dinner when hosting Silicon Valley execs in Dec. of 2018. Another big project of 2019 was the Dream Big Gathering. Both Dan & Britt were involved in conference calls to make arrangements for this event last September. They worked out details at Wild Rose Jefferson and gathered many volunteers to make it a super successful event. The Meythalers are great advocates for Jefferson as examples of people who chose to locate their business and family here. Thank you!
Organization: Tracy Deal is the person responsible for behind the scenes details that make our events successful. From hosting Silicon Valley execs to Volunteer Parties to Family Feud fundraisers to hosting the Main Street workshop last October to The Forge Grand Opening move to the rec center, Tracy can juggle many balls and comes in with needed trash cans, towels, tables, chairs, stages, flowers, etc. to make the event happen. Her cool and calm temperament is the perfect fit for our Organization Team. Thanks, Tracy.
Promotion: “Congratulations to Angie Hueser for being selected as the outstanding volunteer for the Promotion Team. Angie has been involved with Amazing Race, Trick or Treat Around the Square, Scarecrow Invasion, and many other events, and for doing an outstanding job for five years as our leader for the Christmas Tree Lighting! Her enthusiasm and “let’s do this” attitude has been an inspiration to us all. Thank you Angie for being on our team!”
Tower View Team: Tower View Team would like to recognize Angie Gingery as our outstanding volunteer.However, even before Angie was an actual member of our team she had been a huge supporter and cheerleader for Tower View Team from her embrace of roof top art, Sally’s Alley, to Dreams Matter, to yarnboming a tree, to even helping set the first piano back up in the pouring rain when it was blown completely over in a rainstorm after a frantic call from me, to attending all of the pre-planning workshops for Arch Alley.
I bring a lot of wacky ideas to my team at times and I knew when she decided to become a permanent TVT’er she would step right up to chair the first Scarecrow Invasion: Movie Edition this last fall without hesitation. And she did with all of her enthusiasm. She took it, ran with it, and made sure it was successful by encouraging participation with our downtown businesses. We certainly couldn’t have done this new event without her dedication and “joie de vivre”!
Thanks so much and the entire team is very happy you decided that TVT would become “your people” Congratulations! Deb P.S. Just wait till I get back from Florida with probably more wacky ideas I will steal along the way that I see!
Leadership Award – Jeff
I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed working with Jeff throughout this last year. No matter what situation or idea I threw at him or what crazy thing I had him wear or hold or say he has been a trooper through close to 40 videos for Main Street.
The merchants especially all appreciate what you have done to advertise their businesses and events.
So from your camera operator, congratulations! Such a well deserved award as you really have become the face of Jefferson Matters: Main Street and really embody the spirit of volunteerism that makes Main Street what it is and people all want to be Jeff from Jefferson but we know there can only be one Jeff!
My only regret this year is that I didn’t keep all the bloopers and laughter for a highlight reel. Congratulations Jeff!
Deb
Here is a video of Jeff’s remarks after receiving the Leadership Award: