Governor Honors Linn-Mar’s Karla Terry and Volunteers

Linn-Mar’s Karla Terry and three L-M volunteers received the Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds during a special ceremony.

Community Services Coordinator Karla Terry, Nicole Stoddard, Jenny Hemmes, and Nicole Glau were recognized for their tireless dedication to the Linn-Mar Community.

Nicole Stoddard has given more than a thousand hours of time to support America Reads Day as an Event Coordinator, and by serving in another leadership role, as the school volunteer coordinator for the past two years at Novak Elementary. Her humor, kindness, and ease with people have always been apparent in working with staff, students and other school volunteer coordinators. She willingly accepts responsibility for special activities with the Parent/Teacher Organization and continues to support her oldest child at Linn-Mar High School helping with the Marching Band. She has served five different schools in her service to Linn-Mar. She continues to make Linn-Mar a better place.

Jenny Hemmes is a volunteer at Indian Creek Elementary. Jenny has spent most of her time in the classroom, directly working with students, often on literacy activities. Jenny has been involved with two reading programs at Indian Creek, the Encourage A Reader and Read Naturally programs, both have direct student contact. Jenny has in the past two school years, served our school district in a leadership role, as a School Volunteer Coordinator. She manages more than two hundred volunteers, providing communication, direction, and support to the volunteers while meeting the needs of our teachers and staff. Jenny Hemmes is a great representative of how one person that is passionate about education can make a difference.

Nicole Glau became an active volunteer at Linn-Mar as soon as her children started school. She has served in a leadership role logging more than 400 hours in the last two school years, all the time as a working mom. As the School Volunteer Coordinator for Westfield Elementary School, she has provided her leadership, time and support. Nicole has always demonstrated her organization, communication, and support for our staff. She is a hardworking volunteer that won’t back away from a large or hard project. She has built a strong volunteer team that works together to achieve the school goals. As a school volunteer coordinator, she has served not only the volunteer program but the Parent/Teacher Organization as an officer. Nicole Glau has demonstrated a strong dedication to Linn-Community Schools and education and is a deserving recipient.

“Volunteerism is such an integral part of what it means to be an Iowan,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “I’m pleased to honor those who have given of themselves to meet the needs of others. Their commitment helps improve the lives of those around them and consistently keep our state’s volunteerism rate in the top ten nationally.”

More than 600 awards are being presented this year during ceremonies held at several locations around the state. It is estimated that more than 31,000 hours of service, with an economic impact of more than $727,000, were served by this year’s honorees during the past twelve months.

“Volunteering is win-win,” Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg said. “Not only does it have a positive impact on the individuals served, but also transforms the individuals giving. The dedication of those selected for these awards often encourages others to get involved, and I’m happy to recognize them for their important contributions.”

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 34th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.

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