Working within Laurel Lake’s 150-acre campus and in neighboring cities, Laurel Lake volunteers provided over 120 unique services, including:

• Fundraising for earthquake relief, USO Care Packages, the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank,the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimers Association, Pawsabilities Humane Society and more.

• Mentoring young people, including Boy Scouts, middle schoolers, and university students.

• Volunteering with regional museums and performing arts centers.

• Knitting hundreds of snuggly caps and scarves for Summit County Children Services, and stitching Prayer Quilts.

• Lending expertise through numerous regional boards and the "Habits of the Heart" Youth Philanthropy Education program at Seton Catholic School.

• Actively supporting development campaigns for colleges and universities.

• Gathering donated clothing for area shelters and missions.

• Trimming trees and shrubs, planting, weeding and watering public gardens and other community gardening projects, and creating nature trails.

• Bringing meals, flowers and companionship to individuals with special needs.

• Teaching classes on computers, creative writing, literature, bridge, gardening and other topics.

• Assisting individuals in fitness routines using Laurel Lake Fitness Center weight training and exercise equipment.

At the luncheon, Laurel Lake honored five top volunteers for their important contributions.

John Karpiel received the Outstanding TLC Caregiver Award for his years of caring visitation to residents of Crown Center. John was an early advocate for individuals with vision challenges, pursuing the development of resources which led to the formation of Laurel Lake’s award-winning Vision Advocacy Support Group.

Lois Lander, a local resident, received the Community Volunteer Award for more than 15 years of service to the Laurel Lake community. Lois organized and staffed a Hostess Cart to provide snacks and companionship to residents of the Crown Center. She assists with crafts and special outings, and serves on the Flower Brigade, bringing fresh blossoms to Crown Center residents during summer months.

Sally Harris – who at the age of 98 is a model of lifelong volunteering – received the Laurel Lake Resident On-campus Volunteer Award. Since 1992 Sally has volunteered at the Colony Shoppe (Laurel Lake’s gift/convenience store), worked faithfully in the Laurel Lake Garage Sale and assisted the director of Duplicate Bridge.

Ed Lutz received this year’s Outreach Volunteer Award. In addition to serving on the Program, Dining Services, Garage Sale and Volunteer Committees at Laurel Lake, Ed is a former Hudson Rotarian who regularly transports donated clothing to a local center, has worked with returning military veterans to provide assistance with home maintenance and utility bills, works with his alma mater, Springfield High School, to provide scholarships to seniors, and currently serves as President of the Hudson Senior Citizens.

Dick Hein was presented with the Special Service Award, awarded to individuals who establish a new program that benefits others. An active member of Laurel Lake’s Garden, Workshop and Building & Grounds Committees, Dick’s most visible contribution to Laurel Lake has been the creation of a new Nature Trail, complete with directional signs and maps.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is "Celebrating People in Action." In the past year, 60.8 million people, or 26 percent of Americans age 16 or older, performed unpaid work for nonprofit organizations according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

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