A rousing success - the “second annual” Volunteer Appreciation Party at SJA!!! A great way to recognize the many SJA volunteers that tirelessly work in our many ministries.
On Friday, May 2, the gym was turned into the Holy Rollers Casino. Roughly 300 attendees enjoyed great entertainment, excellent food and beverages, 12 tables of pretend gambling, and a fun Chapel of Love. New this year was the Blessed win a lotta Bingo game - at near capacity the entire evening. Catholics do like their bingo.
The SJA staff created the event and provided most of the person-power normally supplied by volunteers. Apart from the games and continuous table-talk, partiers thoroughly enjoyed dancing to the “SJA Holy Rollers Pickup Band” (George Maurer, Lee Vague, Scott Malchow, Paul Carpenter) with the “SJA Holy Rollers Cameo Players” (Joe Chouinard, Deb Harley, Anna Vagle). The spirited evening included the limbo, Rosie’s sparkling earrings, and Julie’s walking candy-cigarette concession.
The Holy Rollers Casino included poker, craps, roulette and blackjack. Novice gamblers were patiently coached by helpful dealers. It was hard to lose. Eventually each person's gambling chips were converted to door-prize raffle tickets.
Party goers were asked, “Why do you enjoy volunteering at SJA?”
They replied:
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“Meeting good people.” Doug
- “I leave choir practice with a smile on my face.” Elaine
- ”SJA is very welcoming to volunteers.” Pat
- “I stay connected to the community. It is necessary for my life.” Mary Eve
- “The kids. I love the new blood.” Mike
- “I need people in the congregation to support me.” Diane
- “Working with great people.” Mary
- “Mixing with people, fun to work with. The high pay!!!” Tom
- “Great way to get to know people.” Robyn
- “Meeting others of like mind.” Mary
- “Makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.” Mike
- “I get to come to the volunteer party!!!” Susan
- “Makes me feel young again.” Peyton
What a great way to appreciate volunteers at SJA!!! A clever, fun recognition party hosted by the SJA staff. For those who’ve been SJA volunteers, but weren't able to attend the party, the staff says, "Thank you, thank you, for your time and talent."
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| Jerry Hartlaub commutes from New Brighton with his wife, Trish, to be refreshed and challenged at the "SJA spiritual oasis". He's a Sunday mass slide jockey and "worker bee" at many SJA events. For fun he has written a bunch of poetry, printed his first book, and invented lots of stuff in a 30-year bioengineering career. These days he teaches cardiac physiology (but he's mostly retired), serves on non-profit boards, does Junior Achievement gigs and plays softball. But most rewarding is providing child-care for two of the world's smartest, cutest grandchildren.
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