Geraldine Folsom has been a loyal volunteer for many years for the Bingham Creek Library. She has saved the County many dollars because of her valued service. Geraldine volunteers 2 hours a day, 2 days each week filing library holds and keeping the hold room in order. On average there are 1700 holds waiting to be picked up by patrons and approximately 600 or more holds a day to file away on the hold shelves. Geraldine not only files the holds, but completes a number of other tasks for the library. Geraldine is also a volunteer for the school district 2 days a week and is involved with the Star program, helping children with reading disabilities. Geraldine is not only a great volunteer, but has become like a co-worker among the library staff. The staff at the Bingham Creek Library want Geraldine to know that she is very much appreciated and applaud her dedication to the library and her community.

Don Porter is a dedicated hard working volunteer at the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter. He started volunteering in January 2006 and has hardly missed a day since. He arrives every morning at 9:30, greeting everyone he meets with a smile and a friendly hello. Don s responsibilities include providing uncompromising customer service assisting patrons with information needed for an animal adoption. He also assists in escorting patrons back to the Isolation and Quarantine areas to look for their lost animals. His data entry skills are put to good use everyday while working on updating animal records. He is also charged with the important task of scheduling adoption appointments for the customers. The Animal Services staff has come to rely heavily on Don’s skills and proficiency in many areas. The front counter customer service staff has piece of mind know that he is on duty. They know projects will be completed in a timely fashion with minimal direction. Many of the duties and projects that Don completes helps to free up valuable time that staff can devote to other top priorities and agency goals. Don is dedicated, caring, funny and personable. The Animal Services staff says "Don is a true asset to our agency. All of us here--including every animal--would like to say a big THANK YOU."

Ida and Laurie Bickley are volunteers at the Columbus Library. They arrive 3 mornings a week, averaging 50 hours of service a month. They organize and shelve toddler books, make sure the new book displays are current, and prepare materials for our book sales and for story time. Ida is 80 years old and a recent widow. She approached the library to volunteer because she felt the need to broaden her interests and be of service. She is the mother of eleven children, has sparkling eyes and delightful sense of humor. Laurie is 37 years old and has Down’s syndrome. Previous to her work at the library, Laurie was a volunteer at Hartvigsen L.D.S. Seminary and served a calling as a Service Missionary for 12 years. Laurie has a love of books, a lovely smile, and like her mother, a fun sense of humor. Laurie was enrolled in a Developmental Disabilities pilot group when she was 2 years old. Ida was involved as a volunteer with this group and at the Medical Center’s program. Ida volunteered with the Summer Head Start Program for 7 years. At 50 Ida was offered a 2 year scholarship to Westminster College and successfully completed the coursework to earn her Child Development Associate degree. She taught Kindergarten, Head Start and pre-school until her husband’s retirement. Ida also volunteered for 30 years teaching children with special needs for her church.

June Ryburn has been a volunteer at the Sandy Senior Center since 1998. She has helped in the organization of many programs benefiting the quality of life of senior citizens in the Salt Lake area. In 2005, as in prior years, June has dedicated over 800 volunteer work hours to the monthly thrift sales at the Center. By soliciting, sorting, pricing and selling thrift items, she has helped generate several thousands of dollars to support the center programs, activities, and educational classes. June organized and now conducts many nature walks for Sandy seniors, making a major contribution to the health and quality of their lives. She is also involved in the activities of the Greater Audubon Society encouraging volunteer contributions by the people of the community. Every year June provides assistance to the Salt Lake County Fair by promoting and arranging the County’s photography competition and displays. She is a productive and vital volunteer deserving recognition and honor for her volunteer work in the community

Zeta and Cindy Nelson of the JZN Family Foundation, established the Kid’s Literacy Project, in partnership with Salt Lake County’s Community Access To Technology bringing a dream to help struggling children read. In the fall of 2004, in partnership with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department’s ’Healthy Central City’ Program and Liberty Senior Center, this project began in the Central City Community Center’s computer lab .The Kid’s Literacy Project has expanded to include programs at Northwest Recreation Center, Copperview Community Center, and Redwood Community Center. Zeta and Cindy’s unwavering dedication and exemplary service and leadership through the JZN Family Foundation, ten Kids’ Literacy semesters have been conducted to help children in Salt Lake County’s disadvantaged communities to overcome literacy limitations. With the assistance of 3 lead coordinators and 18 volunteers tutoring 18 students twice weekly for 9 weeks, over 12,000 volunteer hours have been donated, valued at $216,600.00 of in-kind contributions to the community. While the cash value of service is great, the rewards are immeasurable in the positive impact in the lives of the children served. Their gain in literacy, self-esteem, opportunity, and success for the future may only be measured by the impact that unfolds for generations to come.

Ken Verdoia has served with distinction on the Salt Lake County Library Board from 1998 through 2006. Ken was particularly interested in long-range plans for the library and wanted to leave a legacy for future library development. Ken served in many positions and capacities on Budget, Policy and Planning Committees of the Board, as Vice-chair and Chair of the Library Board. Ken was known as ’the Voice of the Library’ for his resonant voice and eloquent speech. Ken is known professionally for his award-winning documentaries that explore historic, political and social themes, Ken brought this same concern for fairness, diversity and public service to his roles and responsibilities as a member and Chair of the Board.

James Wagner has served as a volunteer with Aging Services Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for 2 1/2 years. He is a volunteer tutor with the Bridges Volunteer Program and has helped the children he tutors to improve their math skills. He assists RSVP, and the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs with record maintenance and a myriad of other special projects from newsletter mailings to assembling information packets; conferences and more. The important tasks of research and record maintenance are greatly facilitated with James’ willingness to understand the process and stick with it until it is done. James is very dependable and has a cheerful attitude and sense of humor that is appreciated by all. His efforts in all of these areas of service allow the RSVP staff more time to implement volunteer recruitment and retention plans and insure accurate record keeping. More volunteers will in turn help make a difference in various areas of service to children, frail elderly people, the homeless and hungry and other critical community needs. James extends his kindness and service to other Salt Lake County programs such as Senior Expo that find themselves in need of assistance. He is always willing to help. He is there to make things easier and better for everyone. The RSVP staff find it an honor to be associated with such a kind and dedicated volunteer.

Elaine Redd, Scott Anderson, John Becker, Darrell Smith, and Tony Larimer have served on the Zoo, Arts, and Parks Advisory Board. Elaine was Mayor of Draper City at the time and freely gave of her energy, wisdom, and passion for the arts. John has assisted the program in developing marketing and public relations goals that match the program’s performance measures. Scott was recognized for his professional work in a recent issue of Utah Business. Tony is an accomplished educator, actor and director, who has served Salt Lake County for many years. Mayor Smith has assisted in developing the new ZAP policies and procedures.
The Zap program has been instrumental in providing funding to enhance Salt Lake County’s arts and cultural community, especially the smaller organizations and the local arts councils. In turn, the groups receiving funding provide diverse programs and cultural opportunities for the County. The advisory board has an important task in recommending to the County Council which organizations will benefit from the funding. Elaine, John, Scott, Tony, and Mayor Smith have all provided very useful and insightful guidance of this program. All five of these outstanding citizens will be retiring from the Advisory Board at the end of this year, the ZAP program would like to recognize them for their role on the board.

Rulon Swenson has been a volunteer and active participant at the Tenth East Senior Center for 30 years. Rulon has been involved with the Center’s harmonica band, the ’Happy-Go-Luckies’ and with a small performing group, the ’Harmony Five’. During the past 30 years, as a volunteer member of both groups, Rulon has participated in more than 600 performances for other senior centers, assisted living and nursing facilities, schools, churches, and civic organizations.
Rulon has a delightful personality. He is always upbeat and positive. He is quick with a good joke or story. In the long tradition of variety shows at the Tenth East  Senior Center, Rulon has played the part of a beautiful and voluptuous Indian princess and has demonstrated how to make a rum cake with hilarious  consequences. What is the most remarkable about Rulon is on September 5, 2006, he celebrated his 101st birthday. We have all heard that laughter is the best medicine. That is Rulon’s secret, and as a volunteer at the senior center he has generously shared his secret of laughter and his music with so many people over the many years. Rulon is truly a vital volunteer.

Stephen LeTendre has served as a volunteer on the Salt Lake County Substance Abuse Services Alcohol and Drug Planning and Allocation Committee for four years. Stephen has always taken his responsibilities as a committee member seriously and has served in a very conscientious manner. Stephen has served through two RFP processes while on the committee. Since the Division of Substance Abuse Services contracts its services to community contractors, these RFPs are especially demanding. Stephen has been able to bring insight to the committee review process and spent countless hours reviewing proposals and in meetings trying to determine who would be the best providers for Substance Abuse Services.

Lupie Dodge has been a volunteer for the Bridges Volunteer program since May 2003. The Bridges program brings older adults from the community into the classroom to help children who are performing below grade level. While tutoring a child one-on-one, a volunteer helps the child develop a better attitude toward school, and positively influences the child’s self-esteem. Lupie helps her community by tutoring students in Mr. Bell’s classroom who are limited-English proficient and face the challenge of learning to acquire academic skills in English at Granger Elementary. One advantage of having Lupie in the classroom is her bilingual abilities. She helps Mr. Bell bridge the communication gap and lessen the frustration whenever there is a language barrier. Mr. Bell states "I simply don’t know what I would do without her." Lupie volunteers 25 hours a week. The students really relate to her because they can see how much she cares about them. She is patient, caring, and kind to everyone she meets and is always willing to go the extra mile with anything that she is asked to do. In addition, Lupie spends many hours each week delivering bread, cookies, or other food items to families that are in need within the community. She is always ready to lend a listening ear. She is truly a vital volunteer.

Duane Klinger is a volunteer driver for Salt Lake County Aging Services Senior Transportation Program. His volunteerism has driven him through his third year, providing 900 rides. His many contributions include recruiting additional volunteers to become Senior Transportation drivers. The Senior Transportation Program provides rides for adults 60 years of age and older who have no available means of transportation. Requested rides may include transportation to medical and dental appointments, life sustaining health care appointments such as chemotherapy or dialysis, and visits to immediate family in a hospital or nursing home. Rides are also provided for grocery shopping. "On the road again" by Willie Nelson is Duane’s favorite song. He has made a career of driving, knowing most of Salt Lake County’s short cuts. In a program where time equals rides, these short cuts help more seniors with additional rides. Duane takes pride in making the customers feel at ease for their medical appointments. "It’s more than a ride to the doctor’s office because Duane personality turns it into a visit with a familiar friend," states Bob. Beatrice, considers herself having a lucky day when Duane backs into her driveway. She says "He puts a capitol C in customer services. I especially look forward to his magnificent smile after hours on life sustaining treatment." Even on his 75th birthday, Duane drove challenging and delightful senior customers.