Susie Clark named Monroe County RSVP's Volunteer of the Year

MONROE — When she sees a gap in service, Susie Clark jumps into action.

Clark was named Volunteer of the Year at the annual volunteer recognition dinner hosted by the Monroe County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The dinner was held recently at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park’s Learning Center. About 120 people attended.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a volunteer “who consistently and widely serves our stations with hours, commitment and flexibility while appreciating the mission of RSVP in our community,” said Beth Berlin, Monroe County RSVP program director.

Clark was nominated by Berlin and Jo Anne Bray.

“Susie is one of those wonderful volunteers who jumps in when there is a gap in service. For example, recently Susie found out we were short on our support for the Salvation Army Spirit of Christmas toy drive, and she signed up to do many more shifts than she had originally planned. Not only did she take on additional shifts, but she recruited other volunteers, too,” Berlin and Bray said.

Clark has volunteered at the St. Anne’s Food Closet for nearly five years.

"Susie is a shining asset, always upbeat and cheerful and willing to help. She can really be depended upon, whether backing food into bags for the large families, loading the heavy bags onto the carts, if needed, or any of the other jobs,” said pantry organizers and volunteers Donna and Ray Dushane.

An RSVP volunteer since March 3, 2021, Clark has served 333 hours at Monroe Public Schools, Thrift Shop of Monroe, Lion’s Den Resale and Salvation Army Spirit of Christmas.

Several other volunteers also received awards at the dinner.

• Don Jeffery earned the Supporting the Mission Award for support of a nonprofit organization.

Jeffery was nominated by the River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation, where he volunteers weekly in the gift shop. He even makes items for the shop, included beaded bracelets for visiting students and knitted toques for re-enactors.

A volunteer since January 2016, he has contributed 2,140 hours.

• Nancy Porkarski received the Showing the Way Award, which is for volunteers who lead by example and mentor others.

She was nominated by Carrie Powell, antihunger initiatives director at the Monroe Family YMCA, where Porkarski has volunteered since March of 2021 and has served 620 hours.

Porkarski began volunteering for the YMCA’s meal program after seeing a Facebook post. Her tasks include creating menus, meal preparation and training new staff.

She also is a long-time vendor at the Monroe Farmers Market.

• Lois White received the Everyday Hero Award, which is given to volunteers who go above and beyond their defined roles. White works with the Monroe County Opportunity Program’s food program and has served 1,323 hours. She assists clients during their food pantry appointments. For those with limited cooking skills, she provides recipes and cooking tips.

• Susan Niciejewski received the Newcomer Award, which is awarded to new volunteers. She volunteers at the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults and its adult daycare program.

"Susan has been a great addition to our adult daycare program. She has such a wonderful personality and makes all the clients feel happy, uplifted and energized," said Jean Siemik, program director. "She has brought new ideas, exercises and games that our clients really enjoy."

A volunteer since October 2023, Niciejewski has served more than 40 hours.

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• God Works!, an area soup kitchen, received the Station of the Year Award, which annually recognizes a station that supports the community.

The ministry offers free meals to people in need in Monroe, Flat Rock, Temperance and Dundee. It is staffed entirely by volunteers.

"Currently, God Works! meals have been serving between 80 and 260 hungry people from the Monroe area each day. They have held over 7,000 dinners and served over 900,000 plates of food in Monroe County. More than one-third of the people served come with their families. No one is turned away," Berlin and Bray said.

To learn more about RSVP, visit rsvpmonroecounty.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Susie Clark named Monroe County RSVP's Volunteer of the Year