January 2013

Volunteer of the Month - January 2013

I don't know much about Tony Lask other then he is one of Penny's volunteers helping her out at many occasions. But I have been told that Tony has helped out one of our WION Family recently. One of our WION Family Members was struggling with a dead battery while out and about in our community. This person also happened to leave behind the ever important cell phone which would have allowed them to call for assistance. And to their surprise, they looked up and walking their way was Tony Lask...frequent volunteer and personal rescuer showing up at this unexpected time of need. This is a great example of how volunteering at special events can help to make friends and connections that will make a difference in our community. Both the WION Family Member and this Kids Club Volunteer had worked together at special events such as Food Drive making them comfortable in working together to solve an unexpected problem. --Jim Carlyle, WION Radio

Ionia Kids Club congratulates Tony Lask on his award!

Tony Lask has been a parent involved in Ionia Kids Club for nearly 10 years.  Although his work schedule keeps him away from many volunteer opportunities and training events, Tony lends a hand at weekly club meetings and special events whenever possible.  Amanda Lask and 3 Kids, Alexandra, Andrea, and AJ all volunteer with Kids Club as a family. 

Tony Lask volunteering  for the County-wide Food Drive

Not only does Tony volunteer with Ionia Kids Club, but he is also involved in the Washington St Community Garden, Ionia County CERT, and regularly attends most National Day of Service Events.  Tony has volunteered with County-wide Food Drive held each November for 4 years.  This is most-likely one of the first events where Tony met the WION Family member that he so willingly helped with car troubles. The Food Drive is just one example of how volunteers make new friends while volunteering!  This huge project that was started by WION Owner, Jim Carlyle 4 years ago pulls in alot of volunteers to unload, sort, and pack the food donations.  Volunteers from various groups including Kids Club, Boy Scouts, the Ionia County Peace Community, and WION Friends & Family all work together.  The 2012 Food Drive  used over 265 volunteers contributing over 868 volunteer hours.  The Lask Family volunteered every day and helped with pre-planning and clean-up after the event.  Many of the Food Drive Volunteers participated in National Family Volunteer Day activities including Tony and WION Family Member, Bonnie F.  This would have been the last day for Tony and Bonnie to work together before the eventful day of the car issues.  We all know what it is like to walk out of a store and that same car that transported us there, will no longer start to take us safely home.  Many of us are accustomed to going everywhere connected to friends an family via the trusty cell phone.  Yet when technology fails us, we must rely on the kindness of other people to help put us back on the road safely.  Tony was not the only person in the parking lot that could have helped Bonnie that day.  But because they had volunteered together, they knew each other well enough to work together.  Tony understood that Bonnie needed help, and he again decided to VOLUNTEER to help a friend.  Tony did not do this kind act to draw attention to himself, he simply wanted to the neighborly thing and help a friend in need.  But to his surprise, his kind act of helping a friend in need is what spurred the nomination for Volunteer of the Month.

Volunteer Connections and WION Radio is pleased to offer Tony this honor of being selected for Volunteer of the Month for January 2013!