
Greater Mankato Area United Way’s Volunteer Awards & Thank You event takes place each February to recognize our volunteers’ commitment to improving people’s lives in our region.
2023 Volunteer Thank You Event
Thursday, February 23
Check-In Begins: 11:30 AM
Program/Lunch: 12–1 PM
Mankato Playhouse
12 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001
City of Mankato parking information
2023 Volunteer Thank You Event Sponsor:
Previous Volunteer Award Winners
United Way Board Chair:
Kevin Velasquez, Blethen Berens
United Way 2022 Campaign Chair:
Melanie VanRoekel, United Prairie Bank
Volunteer of the Year Award (2):
Shirley Lawrence, retired
Sharon Olsen, retired
Community Impact Volunteer Award:
Steve Weisbecker, Lloyd Management
Community Champion Award (2):
Kaila Vollmer, Navitor Specialty Products
Scott Weilage, Wealth Centers of America
Partner Agency Champion Award:
Brandy Brink, Melinda Keim & Rick Sullivan, Beyond Brink Recovery Housing
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Award (3):
Regional Sector: Amanda Kolander, Jay Zender State Farm Insurance
Public/Nonprofit Sector: Crystal Olson, Greater Mankato Growth
Private Sector: Carrie Verschelde, Atwood Management
2021 Campaign Chair:
Jessica Blais, Country 103.5 - Alpha Media
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Steve Weisbecker, Lloyd Management
Community Impact Volunteer Award:
Eric Boelter, Community Bank
Community Champion Award:
Kate Cox, Project for Teens
Nate Erickson, Ophthalmology Associates
Partner Agency Champion Award:
Jenny Stratton, Connecting Kids
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Award:
Private Sector – Rick Sellner, Dotson Iron Castings
Public Sector – Justin Neumann, Mankato Department of Public Safety
Regional Sector – Bill Gronseth, St. Peter Public Schools
Click here to watch our 2021 volunteer recognition videos.
2020 Campaign Chair: Mike Kunkel, CCF Bank
Volunteer of the Year: Matt Norland, Meyer & Norland Financial Group
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Justin Neumann, City of Mankato
Community Champion: Tasha O’Hara, (MIO) Mankato Independent Originals
Regional Champion: Diane Beckmann, Thrivent Financial - Waseca
Partner Champion: Ray Brauer, Boy Scouts
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Paul Peterson, District #77
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECLs of the Year: Colin McKissick & Christine Hodges, NIDEC/Kato Engineering
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Brandon Mohr & Kayla Cremers, TBEI
View photos of the 2020 Thank You Luncheon
2019 Campaign Chair: Shane Van Engen, Frandsen Bank & Trust
Volunteers of the Year: Melissa Bradley, Snell Motors & Kevin Velasquez, Blethen Berens
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Brianna Kerry, Capstone
Community Champion: Cory Abels, CCF Bank
Partner Champion: Jen Theneman, Partners for Affordable Housing
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Meghan Velasquez, VINE Faith in Action
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Katie Dougall, Navitor Specialty Products
Employee Campaign Leader of the Year Regional ECL of the Year: Heather Ahlers, Agropur, Inc.
Board Chair: Kay Wallerich, Wallerich Consulting
2018 Campaign Chair: Eric Boelter, Community Bank
Volunteer of the Year: Jolene Wall, US Bank
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Patrick Baker, Greater Mankato Growth
Community Champion: Tonya Hobbie, Bolton & Menk
Partner Champions: Vickie Apel, SMILES & Garry Hart, SMART Transit
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Iris Clark, Open Door Health Center
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECLs of the Year: Stephanie Sandey, Navitor & Susan Weingartz, Navitor
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECL of the Year: JaDee Pals, TBEI
Volunteer of the Year: Lori Benike, SCHEELS
Community Impact Volunteer Award: Trisha Rosenfeld, Xcel Energy
Community Champions: George & Jess, Country 103, Alpha Media
Partner Champion: Cheryl Hamond, Mankato Family YMCA
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Barb Macrafic, District #77
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Mike Kunkel, Pioneer Bank
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Cody Mulcahy & Amy Martius, Cinch in Waseca
Community Impact Volunteer of the Year: Katie Smentek, Mankato Clinic
Community Champion: Jeff Lang (Stunt Monkey), Radio Mankato
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Public/Nonprofit ECL of the Year: Jeff Johnson & his committee, City of Mankato
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Regional ECLs of the Year: Emily Nelson, Round Bank
Employee Campaign Leaders of the Year Private ECL of the Year: Jeremy Pieper, Ridley
Volunteer of the Year: Jolinda Grabinowski
Volunteer of the Year: Phil Slingsby, SCHEELS