Category Archives: Volunteer Stars
HRCA Volunteer of the Month
Debbie is the December Volunteer of the Month at Highlands Ranch Community Association. Debbie has been volunteering with the Therapeutic Recreation Dept. for almost a year and her caring and sensitivity have made her a favorite of the athletes. She helps with soccer, basketball, swim team, and sports camps. An Iowa native, Debbie is a graduate of CU Denver and has lived in Highlands Ranch for 20 years. Debbie says getting to know the kids and seeing their sportsmanship develop has been the highlight of her volunteer experience. Thank you Debbie for all you do!
Mom & Daughter Duo
Mary Ellen and Katie Thurston are a dynamic mother and daughter duo. They are a great team and support the Lone Tree branch of Douglas County Libraries by volunteering 2 days a week. They started as shelvers and now help with the bookstore. In addition, the Lone Tree branch maintains bookshelves at the local recreation center where they keep the shelves full and in great condition.
The library is privileged to have this dedicated, generous and hard working mom and daughter team as part of their volunteer family. Mary Ellen has shared her world famous pumpkin pancakes with the library staff and Katie never comes in without giving hugs and great big smiles! Everyone looks forward to seeing them as they bring joy to all the staff every time they volunteer.
Because Mary Ellen and Katie are such dedicated volunteers, they were nominated for and won the Heart of Volunteerism Award from Metro Volunteers in 2018. They have elevated our community by donating their time, talent and graciousness.
Dish Cares Volunteers
The volunteers from Dish elevated the Oregon Trail program at the Castle Pines Library with their enthusiasm and good humor. From playing a maniacal thief to celebrating participants little wins, the Dish Cares team made the event so much more fun and engaging for our patrons. I appreciated all of their help both during the program and clean up. I couldn’t have done it without them!
-Alyson, Douglas County Libraries
HRCA Volunteers of the Month
July volunteers of the month for the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program at Highlands Ranch Community Association are the Basketball Coaches that helped in May and June. This program has grown thanks to the selfless efforts of a number of dedicated individuals. Many have been with TR basketball for over four years. They represent a wide age-range including students, working professionals, and retirees. When asked what keeps them coming back, they cite love of the athletes and love of the game. This program would not be possible without their help. Many thanks to these volunteers who bring so much joy to the participants!
Exceptional Volunteer
The Philip S. Miller branch is blessed to have volunteer DJ on its volunteer crew. DJ began volunteering for Douglas County Libraries in June 2014. DJ is always happy to help with whatever is asked of her. She does myriad projects to support library and book store operations as well as library events. If you attend an event at the Philip S. Miller branch it’s likely DJ has had a hand in preparing some aspect of it, or she is there welcoming you to the event, like she did at our Summer Reading Kickoff Party on her 4th anniversary of volunteering with DCL. She is a delight to all who meet her and we would be lost without her devoted volunteerism.
11 Years of Service
Jay started volunteering at Douglas County Libraries (DCL) in 2007. He has physical limitations that make everyday life challenging. His mother or Neighbor Network have transported Jay to the Castle Rock branch one to two times a week for 11 years so he can give back to the community. Jay’s stamina and resolve to make volunteering a top priority is admirable. He has processed hundreds of thousands of books for DCL during his tenure, making many of them ready for the used bookstore to end up in patrons’ home libraries.
Jay and his mom recently moved to a new home; his smile and fervor for life will be greatly missed. Thank you Jay!
Thank you to all Volunteers!
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and we celebrate those who dedicate their time to be stewards and leaders of our community through volunteerism. National Volunteer Appreciation Month also encompasses National Volunteer Week. This year, National Volunteer Week is celebrated April 15-21.
A special thank you to all the volunteers who make a positive difference in our communities by donating their time and talents.
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” –Author Unknown
Exceptional Volunteers at Parker Library
“Today was a busy day at the Parker Library! Our shelving staff was short-handed, and volume of books returned much higher than normal. Thanks to our volunteers Lindsay and Anson who worked so hard to shelve materials and keep us on track to finish our tasks. We could not manage without them! –Parker Library Supervisor
Escape Room at DCL
Volunteers are a key ingredient to the success of the Escape Room at DCL! The Castle Rock library will be hosting an Escape Room for the community called “Make Your Escape!” Gold lies at the altar of the Temple of the Serpent and Professor Triton went missing trying to find it. Participant teams will have timed entries to spend an hour trying to solve the mystery and if successful, claim their reward at the end.
Volunteers help the staff creators of this event by creating custom jungle decorations on a grand scale and by doing a trial of the Escape Room as a participant, working with other volunteers and staff members to find clues and solve the puzzles. They then provide valuable feedback so staff members can refine the experience for the real event on March 24th. On event day volunteers will transform a meeting room into a jungle and serve as costumed guides while library patrons test their powers of logic, deduction and observation in the Escape Room.
Volunteering with Douglas County Libraries provides myriad ways to get involved and have fun while supporting Douglas County Libraries’ mission to elevate the community by creating a love of reading, discovery and connection. Make your escape to the library and see what amazing discoveries await you! Click here to find volunteer opportunities at Douglas County Libraries.
HRCA Volunteers of the Month
December Volunteers of the Month are the Race Packet Pickup Volunteers! Many thanks to the volunteers who helped pass out race packets at the Back Country Half-Marathon for Highlands Ranch Community Association-Therapeutic Recreation. Two shifts of parents and supporters handed out race packets and shirts to all runners. Thank you for supporting the TR program!
