Some of people who were to be honored at a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday were not there to pick up their certificates — they were busy volunteering.

For example, Lake Area United Way honoree Frank Medearis was volunteering as a test monitor at Sadler Arts Academy, and Martha Alford, honored for work with the Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center, had to give a presentation about health.

Such is the nature of volunteering, said Kim Lynch, executive director of the Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center, which put on the luncheon.

“It is a quality and a great trait to have, to be a do-gooder,” Lynch said. “We as the Nonprofit Resource Center staff could not do our job without the work of the volunteer community.”

The luncheon, held during the weekly Rotary Club meeting, honored 55 volunteers in 22 community organizations, agencies and government services. The extent of volunteerism in Muskogee became clear when Resource Center Board Chairman Lisa Morgan Clark asked people who volunteered for an organization or served with an organization to raise their hands and nearly everyone did so.

Volunteers were honored in six categories: Arts, community enrichment, youth, education, civic organizations and health and wellness.

Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteer Sheila Yandell said she almost was late for the luncheon because of her work with the organization. The organization, known as CASA, appears in courts as an advocate for children.

“They called me this morning at 9:30 with a case,” Yandell said. “I had my nightgown on at 10 a.m. and threw something on.”

She said she didn’t get out of the case until 11:20, giving her only a little bit of time to get ready for the luncheon.

“Sheila is one of our go-getters,” said Muskogee CASA Executive Director Kathryn Eaton.

Yandell was one of three CASA volunteers honored Thursday. Dawn Marie Burns and Helen Bumgarner also were recognized.

“Our volunteers ARE CASA,” Eaton said. “They do the work with children and actually do the advocacy for the children. The staff is there to support them.”

Burns called CASA “an investment you can make in a child’s life and a family’s life.”

Bumgarner said she likes being able to decide on her own hours and work times.

The Rev. LeRoy Walker, pastor of Rayfield Baptist Church said he volunteers because he wants to support the community. Walker was recognized for his work with the City of Muskogee Foundation, but he also works with senior adults.

“It’s a joy to see work with the Foundation board,” he said. “I like being around senior citizens and seeing the joy on their faces.”

Honored Volunteers

CIVIC

• Clay Harrell, Rotary.

• Betty Jean Honea, Civitan.

• Diana White, Civitan.

• John Mills, Masonic Building Assoc.

• Chuck Downing, Masonic Building Assoc.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

• Lisa Raasch, Muskogee Parks and Recreation.

• Martha Stoodley, Muskogee Parks and Recreation.

• J.D. Bemo, Muskogee Regional Medical Center.

• Glenda Bemo, MRMC.

• Sue Southwick, Salvation Army.

EDUCATION

• Faustina Greuel, Muskogee Education Foundation.

• Paige Frix, Muskogee Education Foundation.

• Barbara Mantz, Muskogee Public Library.

• Katherine Coburn, Muskogee Public Schools.

• Tedra Willis, Muskogee Public Schools.

• Andi Shaw, St. Joseph Catholic School.

• Patrick Walker, St. Joseph Catholic School.

YOUTH

• Helen Bumgarner, Court Appointed Special Advocates.

• Dawn Marie Burns, CASA.

• Sheila Yandell, CASA.

• Brandy Hayes, Girl Scouts Eastern Oklahoma Council.

• Mary Keys, Girl Scouts Eastern Oklahoma Council.

• Miriam Sommers, Kids’ Space.

• Alexandra Long, Kids’ Space.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

• Joe Giem, CAN.

• Oscar Ray, CAN.

• The Rev. LeRoy Walker, City of Muskogee Foundation.

• Lisa Susanne, Downtown Muskogee Inc.

• Ginger Batson, Lake Area United Way.

• Sam Fowler, Lake Area United Way.

• Frank Medearis, Lake Area United Way.

• Martha Alford, Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center.

• Linda Morgan Clark, Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center.

• Martha Stoodley, Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center.

• Geneva Doyal, RSVP.

• C.R. Harris, Women Who Care.

ARTS

• Max Boydstun, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

• Mike Martin, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

• Barbara Downs, Three Rivers Museum.

• Karen Wagner, Three Rivers Museum.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.