Volunteering: Just a part of who she is

This year United Way recognized Linda Holehan as the Volunteer of the Year at the recent 2012 Campaign and Community Care Fund Awards Luncheon. Linda has been a dedicated volunteer for United Way since 1997 when she began running Mountain West Bank's Employee Giving Campaign. From there Linda's involvement increased. By 2005 she was chairing the United Way Campaign; she also served on the board of directors for six years. Though her term on the United Way board has been completed, Linda continues to serve as the chair of the Community Impact Coordinating Council, as volunteer coordinator for the annual golf tournament, and has been responsible for promoting the Day of Caring at her bank. She has helped to recruit more than 100 Day of Caring volunteers.

"I volunteer with United Way because I know what United Way does and how many people it helps," said Holehan. "Just like I volunteer with the Girl Scouts because if I impact one girl's life it is worth it, but I know I have impacted more than one which is even better."

Linda said her volunteering really began when her son was in kindergarten. She says selfishly, (although there is nothing selfish about Linda), she joined the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) because she saw the benefits for her son, but soon realized the benefits for all students in the school. Not long after joining the PTO Linda was asked to be president which she served as for six years. Linda helped to lead many Post Falls school bond levies during her volunteer tenure with the school. While volunteering with the school she quickly recognized the needs of children in our community. "It really hit me when I found out the number of children in elementary school that qualified for free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs, and that was when our economy was good," said Holehan.

When asked how volunteering has impacted her life Holehan said, "Being recognized is nice, but I do it because I know what the needs in the community are. It is something I have been actively doing for more than 20 years now. Volunteering is a part of me and I can't imagine not doing it."

Volunteer Opportunity: Your chance to make a difference

Join the Area Agency on Aging team and make a difference in the lives of elderly residents of long term care as a ombudsman. Ombudsmen are problem solvers for vulnerable elders living in long term care. The mission of Area Agency on Aging is to work in partnership with older adults, families, and the community to secure information and services that maximize independence and quality of life. Sign up for the volunteer training Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Area Agency on Aging in Coeur d'Alene. Contact Jan Noyes at (208) 667-3179 ext. 243 or jnoyes@aaani.org.

Connecting people

• The United Way of Kootenai County's Volunteer Center is CONNECTING PEOPLE. The center plays a vital role as a "One Stop Volunteer Resource Center" that continually links individuals and groups to a wide variety of ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities. For more information about volunteer opportunities visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website www.kootenaiunitedway.org.