Woischke and Roles receive Spirit of Caring Award

by Cori Hilsgen

news@thenewsleaders.com

Paula Woischke and Amanda Roles were both recently awarded the CentraCare Health Foundation 2015 Spirit of Caring Community Hero Award.

Woischke chose to receive her award at the Church of St. Joseph Heritage Hall.

CentraCare Foundation Director of Development Todd Steinke presented the award July 14 to Woischke, who chose to have the award presented in St. Joseph. A reception followed the presentation of the award.

“I feel honored and blessed to have received an award like this,” Woischke said. “Teaching and working with older adults is my true passion, so to be recognized for something I truly love to do is very much appreciated. All of my class participants, including those in St. Joseph, provide me with never-ending inspiration.”

Woischke is an employee of Whitney Senior Center and the Central Minnesota Council on Aging. She was nominated by Church of St. Joseph Parish Nurse Marjorie Henkemeyer.

Henkemeyer said Woischke has been a key player in bringing both physical fitness and health education classes to St. Joseph.

“We are so blessed to have her with us to encourage us to stay healthy,” Henkemeyer said. “Because of Paula’s tireless efforts, we are fortunate to have evidence-based health and fitness classes available to us in St. Joseph. Paula has helped St. Joseph to work collaboratively with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging and Whitney Senior Center.

Henkemeyer said staff members from both of these agencies, as well as many area residents who have and continue to reap the benefits of Woischke’s efforts, attended the ceremony and reception that followed Woischke receiving her award.

Fare for All organizer Amanda Roles was also nominated by Henkemeyer for the CentraCare Health Foundation 2015 Spirit of Caring Community Hero Award. Henkemeyer said Roles has been a driving force behind the food program.

“Amanda is truly an amazing young woman as the Fare for All leader and a nurse,” Henkemeyer said. “We are so thankful to her and appreciate all she does.”

Roles said she plans to use the funds received with her award to improve the Fare for All distribution process, volunteer appreciation and to promote the program in surrounding areas.

Roles elected to receive her award July 3 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community where she is employed as a registered nurse in their sub-acute care units.

“I was very honored and surprised to receive the award,” Roles said. “I would like to thank Marjorie Henkemeyer for nominating me, and also all the dedicated volunteers that truly make Fare for All possible. They are the reason for the success of Fare for All Express in St. Joseph.”