Volunteer Highlights

20th Anniversary Videos
​Faith in Action Volunteers have been working long and hard over the past years.  As a way to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Faith in Action for Cass County will highlight volunteers several times a month throughout 2021. Volunteers will be recognized for their services and awarded $20 gas cards and other prizes.
During the summer of 2020 our Intern, Paul Espeland, interviewed volunteers, staff and people served by Faith in Action to tell the story of what we do. Videos will be put on throughout 2021. Watch for new ones coming soon!
​John Warren of Walker became a volunteer with Faith in Action in March of 2019. Since that time, Warren has provided 54 rides and helped 36 of his neighbors in need. “I know that I am helping people,” stated Warren. “I know that [Faith in Action] has a big impact on our communities.”
 
When asked about his favorite part of volunteering, Warren said “it’s all about the great people you meet!” As a thank you, Warren received a $20 gas card.  
​Jamie Wolske of Backus is a committed volunteer who first learned about Faith in Action in 2015, when she needed a ride. In 2018, Jamie signed on as a volunteer. “I have been raised to give back to my community. I am a client and once I was able to, I wanted to be a volunteer for Faith in Action.” Since February 2018, Jamie has spent 4,132 hours volunteering, primarily in the office as dispatcher and office support, and at fundraisers. Jamie says her favorite part of volunteering is “I love our volunteers and I enjoy working with the staff.”
 
When asked about the Faith in Action program, Jamie says “I saw first-hand, during the pandemic, how the volunteers kept our community connected and were essential to get groceries delivered and get people to doctor appointments.” “Faith in Action volunteers were instrumental in making my life so much better, especially bringing me from the University to my home so I could celebrate my nephew’s graduation and be with my dog Sophie.” You can see more about Jamie’s experience at the Faith in Action 20th Anniversary page online at www.faithinactioncass.com.  As a thank you, Jamie received a $20 gas card.  
​Jim Carey of Longville is a recent Faith in Action volunteer who joined in September 2020. “When I moved up north, I was looking for a service opportunity,” stated Carey. “Faith in Action reaches out to help members of the community and is very flexible for volunteers.”  In the past 9 months he has worked with 14 people and volunteered over 36 hours, providing transportation and delivering meals-on-wheels to rural areas. Carey says his favorite part of volunteering is “talking with the people I help. They like to talk just like me.”
 
When asked about the Faith in Action program, Carey says “Faith in Action provides needed services for people who have few resources. I think there are a lot of people who could ask for more help, but they are too shy or reluctant to call.” It’s easy to sign up and there are no fees for services. “It isn’t a burden to drive for Faith in Action,” added Carey. “It is a fulfillment of need and an adventure. Faith in Action is helping me to help others.”  As a thank you, Carey received a $20 gas card.  
Joan Smith of Pine River joined the Faith in Action volunteer team in 2014, along with her husband Dave Smith. “I enjoy getting to know people,” stated Joan Smith. “I want to be a servant and help people in a Christ-like manner.”  Over the years she has worked with 41 people and volunteered over 375 hours, providing transportation, friendly visiting, homemaking and chore help to people with limited resources. “It’s fun visiting and getting to know your neighbors.”
 
When asked about the Faith in Action program, Joan Smith says “I don’t know what I would do without you (Faith in Action).” “Faith in Action fills a gap when families can’t be there to help.” One of her favorite parts of volunteering is “working with the older generation who knew a lot of my relatives and hearing stories of when they were younger.” As a thank you, Smith received a $20 gas card.  
​Sara Coler of Longville became a Faith in Action volunteer I in May of 2019. “I’ve always volunteered in some way throughout my adult life,” stated Coler. “When I moved up here, I found the opportunity to drive people living in remote areas.” She has worked with 18 people and volunteered over 120 hours, primarily providing transportation to people with limited resources. Coler feels that Faith in Action is a vital and beneficial resource that allows people to live their lives in the place they want to be.
 
When asked about her favorite part of volunteering, Coler says it’s “about meeting all the people, seeing new roads and hearing their stories.” She remembers a favorite drive when “a woman brought her 4-year old with a learning challenge who spent the entire ride talking about what we saw as we drove.” As a thank you, Coler received a $20 gas card.  
​Roy Blackwood of Bemidji has volunteered with Faith in Action since September of 2015. He has helped over 40 people and volunteered over 1025 hours, primarily building ramps and doing basic home repairs. Blackwood also volunteers with the Bemidji area Habitat for Humanity, Brush with Kindness and Cass Lake Food Shelf programs, among others. “When I retired from teaching journalism at Bemidji State University, I thought I’d never find anything so rewarding,” stated Blackwood. “but I love building ramps and helping people. I’d rather do that than do anything else.”
 
When asked about his favorite part of volunteering, Blackwood says it’s “all about the people and the joy of helping others.” He added, “It’s a good feeling to know that some part of someone’s life is better because we could help.” “What Faith in Action does is very important to get people in and out of their houses; our neighbors aren’t only those living next door to us.” As a thank you, Blackwood received a $20 gas card.  
Picture
​Don Hoppe of Hackensack has volunteered with Faith in Action since January of 2017. He has provided over 500 hours of services, helping over 50 people. Hoppe began as a volunteer driver and became a Board Member in 2018. “Driving is so much fun,” stated Hoppe. “It is good to see people again if you’ve driven them before.”
 
When asked about his favorite part of volunteering, Hoppe says he “enjoys talking with people and hears “Thank you” so often”, because he knows there aren’t many other means of transportation in rural communities. He has also learned some new routes to get places because some riders suggest “short cuts.” As a thank you, Hoppe received a $20 gas card from Southside Station in Hackensack.  
Picture
​Cora Hohnstadt of Backus has volunteered with Faith in Action since February of 2016. She has provided over 375 hours of transportation services and says, “I like driving – it’s something I know I can do well!” Hohnstadt moved to Backus in 1996 to teach. She is now retired and likes to volunteer and help people.
 
When asked about her favorite part of volunteering, Hohnstadt stated, “I like meeting the people and we can have good conversations.” “It’s nice when people tell me how much they appreciate the rides because I know the impact is huge.” Hohnstadt often takes a foster dog along and the riders enjoy petting them and feeding them treats. As a thank you, Hohnstadt received a $20 gas card from Southside Station in Hackensack.  
Picture
Mark Peterson of Hackensack is new to volunteering with Faith in Action, having signed on during the COVID pandemic in July of 2020. He has provided transportation services on weekends because he has a full-time job. Even with his busy schedule, he would like to help more.
 
When asked why he volunteers Peterson stated, “I thought that as long as I was working, I should help people out.” His favorite part of volunteering is the interaction with people and getting to know them. As a thank you, Peterson received a $20 gas card from Southside Station in Hackensack. 
 
Faith in Action’s Data Coordinator Annette Bonin gives Volunteer Les Olson a gas card in thanks for his services to people in Cass County.
Les Olson of Backus has volunteered with Faith in Action for Cass County since 2012. He has provided over 420 hours of services providing transportation and delivering meals on wheels to remote areas of Cass County. Olson has logged over 23,600 miles helping his neighbors in need.
 When asked why he has volunteered for so many years Olson stated, “Volunteering gets me out of the house, and I like to meet people.” As a thank you, Olson received a $20 gas card from Southside Station in Hackensack.