News: Clark Co. Soc. Serv. (Honorees - 1978)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Clifton, Keating, Deminsky, Timmons, Peterson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/18/1978

Clark Co. Soc. Serv. (Honorees - 1978)

An appreciation night was held Wednesday, May 3, at the American Legion Hall, Loyal, by the Clark County Department of Social Services to honor the members of their volunteer service program.

Following a dinner, Steven Clifton, director of the department, thanked the group of approximately 100 for the services they’ve provided over the past year. He introduced the staff and Joseph Keating, chairman of the Social Services Board, who was in attendance. The guest speaker for the evening was Jean Deminsky, a former volunteer coordinator.

Certificates of appreciation were presented by Kelly Timmons, volunteer services coordinator, and Mark Peterson, foster care coordinator, along with a “people pin,” a pin widely used in Wisconsin as a sign of volunteering. Volunteers serve an integral role in the department. Because of high caseloads and limited time allowed for personal contact, a volunteer can make the difference in the life of a client that a social worker cannot. Some of the duties include transporting persons to various appointments, visiting shut-in senior citizens on a regular basis, operating clothing centers in the county to offer low income people clothing at a reduced cost, and running Santa Clause Shops during the Christmas season to provide a gift for children from low income families.