Our volunteer spotlight is on our 2020 Gala Committee. A Sincere Thank You to the Gala Committee for sharing your time, talent and creativeness in making this event a wonderful success. You are amazing!

Back Row, Left to Right: Suzzanne Fox, Brooke Vargason, Cassandra Cook-Quarry: Coordinator, Joyce Elsen, Ruth Hildebrandt, Jeanne Ullian, Isabell O'Connor, Chuck Budde
Front Row, Left to Right: Rose Leifeld-Brennan, Brenna Gardner, Casi Cross, Sherri Snow, Kari Boldt, Michelle Simpson, Sue Rodman, Ruth Hickey (not pictured)

This month, we want to spotlight Rose Leifeld-Brennan. Rose has been a volunteer with Ruth's House for a few years now. She plays a key role in coordinating our Silent Auction.

In addition to that role, Rose graciously offers her time and talents where needed: whether it be repairing and reupholstering the dining room chairs for our shelter, hanging posters, or selling CDs at the Tonic Sol-fa concert fundraiser.

Rose is a true-blue friend to Ruth's House and we are grateful she is a member of our mighty volunteer team.

Rose says:
I've lived in the Northfield area most of my life. I've been in the upholstery trade for 35 years. For 13 years I taught at South Central College and now I run my business out of my home in Dennison.

Our kids are grown and I was looking for a volunteer experience that reinforced my beliefs and supported our community. Ruth's House came to mind as it provides something that I really believe in: supporting women and their children.

I signed up to work on the Gala Committee. It's been a great way for me to help out. The Gala is a awesome event! It's been so affirming to see how generous people can be.

To quote Paul Wellstone, "We all do better, when we all do better".

This month, we want to spotlight our volunteer Melissa. Melissa has been an incredible asset to our Outreach Office. She helps us with a variety of projects and work, including preparing for our upcoming Hearts Gala. We are incredibly blessed to have her help!

Melissa says:
"My name is Melissa Miska. I live in Waterville, MN with my husband of 20 years. Joe and I have one son named Jesse and five beautiful grandbabies! 3 boys and 2 girls all under the age of 7! I enjoy spending time with my family and helping out in my church. My hobbies are reading, writing stories & poetry, all kinds of crafts, and acrylic painting.

I am very passionate about my faith and helping people where I can. I first learned about Ruth’s house when my Ladies Bible Study group volunteered to make some meals for the residents. Then my sister, Casi Cross, started working in the office.

Volunteering at Ruth”s House has a personal aspect for me. There was a time when I was 13 that I became homeless myself. After my adopted mother passed away my older brother and I were homeless for a few months. It was a very frightening and unsettling time in my life and my heart goes out to the women and children that experience this.

Volunteering at Ruth’s house lets me play a little part in helping others who find themselves in a similar situation."

This month we are spotlighting our newest volunteer Rebekah Freed! Rebekah has been an incredible asset to Ruth's House. With her knowledge and experience in Environmental Health and Safety, she's been helping Ruth's House to identify safety concerns and develop improvement plans. As a Certified Safety Professional, she recently developed and led our staff through our first Annual Compliance Training. We are thankful for all that Rebekah will be helping us with! We'll be sharing more about Rebekah in our upcoming Christmas Newsletter. Stay tuned!