The Parks and Recreation Department, and Forestry Committee announced Kathi Hartle, a Marshfield resident, as the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.
“I’m lucky that my home life allows me to have this extra time to come in early and stay late….”
Each year the Parks and Recreation Department is fortunate to have a large number of volunteers who help with everything from coaching youth programs; and organizing senior citizen activities to maintaining landscape beds, picking up trash & litter, removing invasive species, planting trees, securing donations for programs and facility improvements, along with many other things.
Kathi, a Nutrition Site Manager with the Aging Disability Resource Center, found her passion by building friendships with seniors. She prepares and serves hot meals for seniors in a social setting at the Second Street Community Center for 30-40 people Monday through Friday. Not only does Kathi provide meals, but she connects with the guests.
Always going above and beyond her duties, Kathi takes extra time with seniors; by socializing with them, bingo calling, bringing in desserts, decorations, and signs, playing their favorite music, running their errands, and taking them to medical appointments. She would be called the “boots on the ground” type of volunteer, always walking around with a smile on her face. She gets to know them, their history, and their families, making for a special center environment.
“I’m lucky that my home life allows me to have this extra time to come in early and stay late. The people are so wonderful and gracious about everything, it’s wonderful, and I am very fortunate to do this; I love it,” Kathi remarked.
John Gorman, a regular patron at the center, said Kathi is one of the nicest people he had ever met while he was playing dominoes at the center. Kathi has also been a longtime volunteer in the community at Marshfield Clinic, Our Lady of Peace, and Marshfield High School.
