This month's spotlight is on Ellen Blume. Ellen is the volunteer front desk receptionist on Tuesday afternoons at Ruth's House. She helps answer the door and phone and offers a helpful hand to residents, guests and staff. She is always smiling and the kids love playing with her. Ellen shares some of her background and why she volunteers at Ruth's House.

"I grew up in the Lonsdale area and attended a one room Country School for six years. I graduated from Faribault High School and lived in the Faribault area all my life except for 4 years that my husband was stationed at Offutt air force Base in Bellevue Nebraska. We have 2 grown children and 3 grandsons.

I have a Bachelors and a Master’s degree from Concordia University in Organizational Management and Communications with an Emphasis on Human Resources. I also have a Finance Certificate from Concordia University. I worked in Corporate America for 25 years in Finance and Human Resources in the metro area. While I was working, going to college and raising a family I did not have time to do much volunteer work. Now that I am retired I have the time to get involved in local organizations and to do volunteer work.

I enjoy volunteering and giving back to the community.

One of the reasons I got involved with Ruth’s House is that I belong to the Daughters of American Revolution and our theme and State project is “Shed Light on Domestic Violence” and “Help those Trapped in Domestic Violence.” Each Daughters of American Revolution Chapter in the State was challenged in making a difference in our communities. I know volunteering and donating to Ruth’s House makes a difference in a women’s life and is much appreciated. It feels good to give back to the community."

Thank you Ellen! You are making a difference in the lives of the women and children in our community.

Karen Churchill will retire from her volunteer duties this month. We will miss her at Ruth's House and wish her the very best!

Karen is a long-time volunteer at Ruth's House, starting in the very beginning as Ruth's House opened its doors. She stopped in one day before we were opening and asked if we needed any help with anything and that she wanted to volunteer. She began by making phone calls and some clerical work and then moved into doing the payroll and bookkeeping as a volunteer for several years and continues to serve in a bookkeeping capacity with the organization.

She has been a Gala committee member, has served on the Board of Directors and on the finance committee, has contributed many donations to the mission of Ruth's House and has been a willing worker in many capacities weekly since 2004.

Faribault High School group Falcons for Change recently raised funds to shop off our Wishlist. They brought in much needed items such as towels, sheets, cold medicine, feminine products, paper towels, batteries, cleaning sprays, pillows and more!

Thank you Falcons for Change and school counselor, Annika Obermeyer for thinking of the residents at Ruth's House! Representing the group in the photo is Maria & Kayla.

In this month of thanks, we want to remember all of our volunteers who have helped out at Ruth's House this year. Your help means that we can focus our efforts on directly supporting the women and families who need us. We are grateful for you whether you volunteer as an individual or in a group, help out one time or once a week. YOU make a difference in the lives of Ruth's House residents!

Ruth's House was blessed with two volunteer groups in November! The Shattuck St. Mary's Synchronized Skating Team (left) came out and deep cleaned the shelter.

Volunteers from Trinity Lutheran (right) came with rake in hand to give the outside yard a once over before winter weather.

Many thanks!