Janet Dehnert, a volunteer with Willow Domestic Violence Center, smiles as she walks away with a rose and an award for her efforts during the United Way Celebration of Volunteers on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Stidham Hall on the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University. Dehnert was one of 28 local volunteers recognized at the 30th annual United Way Wallace Galluzzi Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

For the past two years, 87-year-old Mary Blythe has spent each Thursday morning and each Monday afternoon volunteering at the front desk of Independence Inc., a local group aimed at providing advocacy, support, education and more to those with disabilities.

“It makes me feel like I’m not 87,” Blythe said with a smile. “I hope I can be there for another two years.”

Tuesday evening, Blythe and 27 others were recognized at the 30th annual United Way Wallace Galluzzi Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

Founded after his death in 1984, the awards are the namesake of Wally Galluzzi, who served as the chair of the 1983 United Way campaign and was the first president of the then-named Haskell Indian Jr. College.

Galluzzi’s wife, Marie Galluzzi-Potter, helps plan each year’s award ceremony and pick those who will be recognized for their service.

In past years the award was presented to a single volunteer, Galluzzi-Potter said. Because picking one winner out of all the nominees is such a challenge, the group decided to try a new format this year.

While 28 volunteers were presented with the award Tuesday evening, Galluzzi-Potter said five of those recipients deserve additional recognition for their “exceptional” contributions to the community.

“It’s overwhelming,” Galluzzi-Potter said. “I’m so pleased to have so many people honored. I also can’t believe we’ve been doing this for 30 years.”

Around 150 people gathered in Stidham Union on the Haskell Indian Nations’ campus to celebrate and share their support for the award winners.

Wearing a lavender shirt and pants to match the day’s pleasant spring weather, Blythe sat quietly in her chair during the ceremony, a smile on her face. Behind her sat Steve Lopes, another of the 28 award recipients.

While he’s proud to have been selected for the award, Lopes said he’s uneasy in the spotlight.

Recently, Lopes spent six months working as the volunteer interim director for suicide prevention crisis center, Headquarters Inc. When the organization returned to providing 24-hour service, Lopes quickly volunteered to work the phones for the first midnight to 8 a.m. shift.

“I have mixed feelings. I’m not comfortable being singled out,” Lopes said. “We are a family. All the volunteers are what makes Headquarters.”

Both Lopes and Blythe agree they find a great deal of gratification in their work, and they plan to continue in their efforts.

“The greatest satisfaction is helping people at risk,” Lopes said. “I’m an introvert, I get internal rewards. Like when I get that call from someone and they’ve put the gun down.”

Those recognized Tuesday evening were:

• Frank Male, Sr., of the American Red Cross.
• Carl Graves, of the Audio-Reader Network.
• Kennedy Cooper, of the Ballard Penn House.
• JaCorey Shepherd, of the Kansas Big Brother Big Sister program serving Douglas County.
• Tammy Howell, of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.
• Rachel Paxton, of the Center for Community Outreach.
• Jill Kleinberg, of Douglas County CASA Inc.
• Kristen Helling, of the Douglas COunty Dental Clinic.
• David Hamby, of Family Promise of Lawrence.
• Lisa Simmons, of the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri.
• Steve Lopes, of Headquarters Inc.
• Larry Rankin, of Health Care Access.
• Heather Brust, of Heartland Community Health Center.
• Mary Blythe, of Independence Inc.
• Bob Harwood, of the Lawrence Community Shelter.
• Michelle Fales, of the Lawrence Free State High School Booster Club.
• Ron King, of Lawrence Habitat for Humanity.
• Janet D’Ercole, of the Lawrence Humane Society.
• John Priddle, of Lawrence Meals on Wheels.
• The Boy Schouts of America Pelathe District and the Salvation Army.
• Judy Niebaum, of Small World.
• Doug Katenay, of the Social Service League.
• Beth Ann Bittlingmayer, of the Success By 6 Coalition of Douglas County.
• Cheri Varvil, of Ten Thousand Villages.
• Paula Nigh, of Theatre Lawrence.
• Jennifer Sherwood, of the United Way of Douglas County.
• Daniel B. Smith, of Van Go Inc.
• Janet Dehnert, of the Willow Domestic Violence Center.

Special honors were given to Katenay, Niebaum, Rankin, Kleinberg and Graves.