This month's Volunteer Spotlight is Paul Kelm. Paul grew up in Faribault and has lived here most of his life. He is self-employed with a printed forms business and also manages the commercial properties he owns with his wife.

Paul is a wonderful volunteer and among other tasks, he has been a tremendous help this long winter helping to keep our driveways snowplowed so that our residents and staff could get in and out safely. Thank you Paul!

Paul truly enjoys volunteering at Ruth's House and believes and supports their mission of providing help and hope for women and children in crisis. Paul shares, "The work Ruth's House does fills a vital need in Rice County which is evidenced by their continued growth since 2003."

Paul says he is thankful for the opportunity to volunteer at Ruth’s House and encourages others to lend a hand.

This month we spotlight out 2019 Gala Committee. This is a wonderful, welcoming group of volunteers. We had new members this year and they jumped right in to help make this our best gala ever. Committee Members (not in order shown): Joyce Elsen (chair), Christiana Adams, Elaine Anderstrom, Kari Boldt, Chuck Budde, Cassandra Cook-Quarry, Casi Cross, Suzzanne Fox, Brenna Gardner, Marcy Goss, Matt Gustafson, Ruth Hickey, Ruth Hildebrandt, Rose Leifeld-Brennan, Isabell O’Connor, Sue Rodman, Michelle Simpson, Kathy Tonolli, Jeanne Ullian, Ruth Wirtzfeld.

(Joyce Elsen on the left with Katie Imholte Gabriel, our Gala Auctioneer)
We are happy to spotlight Joyce Elsen this month. Joyce is an amazing volunteer at Ruth's House! She was the chair of the Gala Committee this year and volunteers on a weekly basis as a part of a team of women who help organize donations in our basement. She is also the Vice President of our Board of Directors. We can't say enough good things about her work and care for the women and children of Ruth's House. Here are just a few quotes:

Joyce is the most dedicated and hardworking volunteer at Ruth’s House. It is amazing what she has accomplished these past few years in organizing Ruth’s House Hearts Gala, serving on the board and helping in any way that she can. It is obvious that she holds the mission of Ruth’s House close to her heart. - Ruth Hildebrandt, Volunteer

Joyce has such a positive attitude which rubs off and makes everyone around her better for knowing her. -Chuck Budde, Board Member

Joyce is one of the Ruth’s House basement ladies. Without her and her organizational skills our basement would be chaos! Besides all the time she is volunteering and working in the basement Joyce always tells staff how important we are, to the success of Ruth’s House. I love seeing Joyce at the shelter! -Meghan Sawicki, Staff

We are grateful to you Joyce!

January's volunteer spotlight shines on Ruth Wirtzfeld. Ruth has been a wonderful addition to Ruth's House! She has brought her gifts of love, kindness, creativity, and servitude, which have blessed Ruth's House staff and residents tremendously! She's flexible and willing to do whatever is needed, using her talents to the very best of her ability. We are so truly grateful to have her in our family!

Ruth writes:
I moved from Fargo, ND to Northfield in the fall of 2017. Being retired, I had time on my hands and a desire to be useful, so I began exploring opportunities for volunteering. It was shortly thereafter that I met Kathy Tonolli, a board member at Ruth’s House. I was curious and inspired as Kathy talked about her connection to Ruth’s House and their mission.

Recognizing my interest, she invited me to take a tour of the house and from there she invited me to join her as one of the “basement babes" who sorted and organized material donations that come into the house, and so my connection began. There I met some wonderful committed women, who also gave of their time to further the cause.

Believing that any gifts we have are given for the well-being of the community and not for ourselves alone, and believing that we all need a safe, supportive community or network where we can reach our full potential, motivated me to say, “yes” to Kathy’s invitation to get involved at Ruth’s House. I like the ministry I see happening there. Ruth’s House is a safe haven, a place of hope, and that’s a cause I want to support.