Over 250 people came together Wednesday evening in Sturgeon Bay to be part of the 21st Annual Golden Heart Volunteer Celebration. Held at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center, it was the first time that the event was in-person in three years. United Way Director of Operations Kelly Hellman says 35 nominees were submitted for six different volunteer categories. She highlights the individual and group award winners and the organizations they impacted.
The Golden Heart event was put on by the United Way of Door County, the Golden Heart Committee, and the former board members of the Volunteer Center of Door County. The United Way is planning on launching Volunteer Connections later this year. You can find a list of the award winners and nominees from the 2023 Golden Heart Volunteer Celebration below.
Adult Volunteer of the Year- Rebecca DenHollander for Unity Hospice
Arts & Culture- The Northern Sky Theatre Tuesday Crew
Environmental Stewardship- Art Lutzke for Crossroads at Big Creek
Youth Scholarships- Bethany Paye from Southern Door High School, Symone Sandoval from Sevastopol, and Elsa Schoeneman from Sturgeon Bay High School (received a $500 scholarship each)
Karl May Lifetime of Service Award- Gerald Richter, who passed away last December, family members accepted the award on this behalf, recently received a Lifetime Volunteer Award signed by President Joe Biden in honor of his 5,000 hours of service to the Door County Maritime Museum.
Photo courtesy of Northern Sky Theater
