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Chieftain staff reports

Two Bonner Springs residents were among 18 volunteers recently honored by United Way Of Wyandotte County .

Cathy Ramirez and Anella Oldham were among those named volunteers of the year in a ceremony April 29 at the Jack Reardon Convention Center

Ramirez gives her time at the Vaughn-Trent Thrift Store, 205 Oak St., and Oldham has volunteered in various capacities for Catholic Charities in Kansas City, Kan. Both organizations are partner agencies of the United Way of Wyandotte County.

Ramirez has helped out at the thrift store each Monday for the last two and a half years, sorting clothes and other donations to the store, straightening shelves and racks, and cleaning household items to display for sale.

“I just think it’s everybody’s responsibility to volunteer in helping out their fellow man,” Ramirez said.

“Mainly I sort clothes; I do whatever they need done,” Ramirez said.

“I just like feeling like I’m helping something, and putting out nice things for people to look at,” Ramirez said.

Carol Geary is director of Vaughn-Trent Community Services, and responsible for nominating Ramirez.

“Cathy has been such a stalwart volunteer at the store,” Geary said.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” Geary added.

Anella Oldham has logged over 1500 hours of volunteer service to Catholic Charities since 2002. She serves as the morning receptionist at Wyandotte County Catholic Charities. When Catholic Charities began a program to encourage donations of used cars for sale proceeds to fund the organization’s services, which include housing, employment assistance, utility assistance, food, adoption and services for pregnant women, teen parent support, health-care services and mental-health counseling.

Oldham spearheaded the car-donation campaign named KC Cars For Kids. Oldham answered questions from potential donors, made arrangements for vehicle pickups and drop-offs, and kept records of the transactions.

Oldham also stepped up to the plate when Catholic Charities got involved with the Earned Income Tax Credit program. A former tax preparer, Oldham volunteered to help people in need file their tax returns.

“She has been a wonderful supporter of Catholic Charities, and a wonderful volunteer,” said Mary Long, assistant volunteer coordinator for Catholic Charities. “We so appreciate everything she does for us.”

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