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!
​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.  
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​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.  
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​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.  
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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.