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191 Honors Volunteers 2007by John Gessner '
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Burnsville High School senior Lynnea Durand spends most weekday afternoons at Sky Oaks Elementary School, working in a kindergarten classroom.
Richard Pomije spearheaded a 50th- anniversary celebration for the high school that grew into a giant community party and led to formation of an alumni foundation.
Durand and Pomije are two of the nine volunteers to receive 2007 John Coskran Volunteer Awards in Burnsville-Eagan- Savage School District 191.
The winners were chosen from among 45 nominees. The award is named for for mer School Board Member John Cosk ran, a longtime advocate for volunteerism and retired associate director of volunteer services for Catholic Charities.
Durand said her personal care atten dant got her started in volunteering. She started by volunteering in a nursing home, and is now an aide to Sky Oaks kinder garten teacher Jackie Ritchie. “I chose to go here because I like kids,” said Durand, who has Asperger syn drome. “I like seeing them smile when I try to help them.”
She has also worked with Sky Oaks second-graders in the Seekers program, helping them with research, writing and class presentations.
Earlier this year, Durand befriended a BHS student with autism.
“She just didn’t have many friends, so I decided I would change that,” said Du-
See Volunteers, 12A
I2A May 19,2007 THISWEEK
Volunteers/from 1A
rand, who plans to study cu linary arts at Dakota County Technical College. “I knew her a little bit. I think I knew her in seventh grade. I wasn't friends with her then. She was in need of a friend, so I decided I would be one of her friends. She really appreciates it.”
Pomije, Class of 1974, lit erally grew up at Burnsville High School. His father, Rob ert, was principal for 13 years
and a District 191 assistant superintendent. Pomije would often play in the gym when his dad was working.
Now he has a daughter, Brittany, who’s graduating in June.
Pomije served on a com mittee raising funds to replace the school's monument sign last year, which was also the school’s 50th anniversary.
He, resident Dolly Kai ser and Principal Kay Joyce spearheaded the anniversary
celebration. Pomije was egged on by his father, who now lives in Illinois.
“I could tell he was excited about it,” said the longtime Burnsville resident. “I half did it for my father and half did it to show my daughter volun teer work — what you can do to help the community, to give back. I thought it would be a good experience for both of them.”
Anniversary events Aug. 25 and 26 drew 4,000 to 5,000
people, Pomije said. They in cluded a dance at Buck Hill Ski Area, a school hall of fame induction, and a series of “decade” class reunions.
It went so well Pomije is repeating the celebration this Aug. 24 and 25. The newly formed BHS Black and Gold Alumni Foundation plans to make it an annual event.
The foundation will raise money for the school.
“It’s in the charter thabit benefits the high school,” Po mije said. “The first person who volunteered to be on the board was (former teacher and coach) Dick Hanson.”
The other Coskran Award winners are:
• Ozan Kalpak, a Nicollet Junior High ninth-grader and
peer tutor.
• Jackie Maddaloni, parent
and volunteer coordinator at Harriet Bishop Elementary.
• Carolyn Neville, Edward Neill Elementary school secre tary and volunteer.
• Autumn and Chad Olinger, parents and volunteers at Wil liam Byrne Elementary.
• Tammy Dylla, a parent at Gideon Pond Elementary who helps students with reading.
• Kim Depies, a parent and volunteer at Edward Neill El ementary who led the Read ing Buddies program for many years.
John Gessner is at burnsville. thisweek@ecm-inc. com.
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City Council recognizes 10 community builders 2016October, 2016 - The Bursnville City Council recognized ten community organizations and members of the Burnsville Community with their community builder award. These included:
Arbors at Ridges Senior Living Community, Public Safety Fundraisers
Polly Bergson, Election Volunteer
Barb Dorry, Community Services Volunteer
Sam Dalal, Dale Yohnk, Nick Pechman - Heart Restart volunteers
Patrick Henney - Burnsville Fire Muster Grounds Chair
Christian Kibler - Burnsville Youth Collaborative Coordinator
Sean Lenhardt- Burnsville Robotics Mentor
Tyrese Leverty, High school student and leader
Laurie Thulien - Kids n Kinship mentor
Beth Torstenson, Birnamwood Homeowners Association
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Burnsville Mobile Volunteer Network 2017Burnsville's Mobile Volunteer Network (MVN) is o group of dedicated volunteers who assist Police and Fire personnel
during special events or emergency situations. Members ore able to toke their skills to the front lines,working side by side
with police officers and firefighters.
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Be an election judge 2016During the 2016 International Festival the City of Burnsville presents information on becoming an election judge. Photo compliments of the City of Burnsville.
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Civic Leader and Mentor Ken Slipka dies at 67 - 2013The Burnsville Sun/ThisWeek News October 31, 2013 reports on the death of Ken Slipka and recalls his life and years in Burnsville since 1979.
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City Council recognizes 9 community builders 2017The Community Builder Award began in 1998 and has been presented each year to individuals, groups or businesses that make contributions that build community and a lasting impact on the quality of life in Burnsville. Those honored in 2017 were: Tami Allen, Mary Jo DeLise, Jim and Lois Finan, Teagan Langeness, Justin Lassen, Beverly Price, John Quallery, Vernon Standing and Heather Walberg.
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Fairview Ridges Senior Companion Health Coach 2017Burnsville based Fairview Ridges and Lutheran Social Services offer a program where volunteers assist Fairview Ridges patients.
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Ken Slipka obituaryThe Minneapolis Star Tribune November 9, 2013 reports on the death of Burnsville resident, business man and volunteer Ken Slipka.
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Mary Jo DeLiseEvan Pogoda McBride, Abby Kramer, Mary Jo DeLise, Elle Pogoda McBride. In 2017 Mary Jo was the VP of Fundraising, past president and served on the Board since 1999 of the Burnsville Community Foundation. She also serves on the Chameleon Theatre Circle's Board.
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Michael Esch 2017 PresidentPresident and Volunteer with the Burnsville Community Foundation at the dedication of the ASCENT sculpture.
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Neal Jeppson retires from BA 191 in 2016The Burnsville Sun/ThisWeek News - March 31, 2016 reports that Neal Jeppson, operations director for Baseball Association 191 is retiring.
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Ken SlipkaA Burnsville resident, a Burnsville business man and Burnsville Civic Leader, Ken died October 22, 2013. He was CEO and president of FORCE AMERICA, one of Burnsville's biggest businesses. In 2007 Gov. Tim Pawlenty made him an honorary U.S. Army Colonel in recognition of nearly 30 years of military service. He marrried Linda Olson in 1973 living in her hometown of Sioux Fall South Dakota. They moved to Burnsville in 1979.
A former volunteer fire fighter who collected trucks and memorabilia, he long organized the Fire Muster. He served on numerous boards including the Dakota County Board of Equalization. The Chaired Burnsville's Economic Growth Commission and was a longtime coach and local baseball commissioner and past president of the Burnsville Community Foundation.
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City has a spirit of volunteerism 2022Burnsville Community Guide 2022 - Sun/Thisweek News
People looking for a volunteer outlet can serve in a variety of organizations in Burnsville...
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