AWARD NOMINEES

2024 UP & COMING VOLUNTEER AWARD
Maxfield Docter Maurer

2024 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Laurie Becker
Mark Becker
Linda Bender
Carol Gibson
Jenny Matte
Patty Peterson
Mary Rehrauer
Mary Seiler
Judy Shallue
Robert Wenger

2024 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Laurie Becker
Dan Hassemer
Paul Kraynek
Greg Miller
Ken Walters

2024 TEAM VOLUNTEER AWARD
Friends of the Two Rivers Senior Center
Gracious Givers
Greg and Marge Kraynek

2024 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT VOLUNTEER AWARD
Dave Estes
Philip Groll
Sandy Hardrath
Ollie Larsen
Kim Rooney
Mickey Veleke

And the Winners are...

Maxfield Docter Maurer

2024 Up & Coming Volunteer Award

Since reaching out in the fall of 2024 to volunteer with the Wednesday Night Community Dinners at First Presbyterian Church, Max has become a steady and inspiring presence — contributing nearly 60 hours of service in under a year. Week after week, Max preps and packages meals for those in need — providing not just nourishment, but consistency, care, and dignity to some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

What sets Max apart isn’t just his dedication — it’s how naturally he brings responsibility and humility to the work. He shows up without reminders. On the rare occasion he can’t attend, he reaches out ahead of time. His teammates say he’s kind, reliable, and always willing to help.

In a world that often underestimates young people, Max stands out as an example of what’s possible when compassion meets commitment.

For his quiet leadership, selflessness, and promising impact, we are honored to present the 2024 Up & Coming Volunteer Award to Max Maurer.

Friends of the Two Rivers Senior Center

2024 Team Volunteer Award

For the past 18 years, the Friends of the Two Rivers Senior Center have been the quiet engine behind so much good in their community.

This group of dedicated volunteers has clocked over 20,000 hours, coordinating more than 150 holiday meals, 1,000 birthday parties, countless fundraisers, and the annual Thanksgiving dinner that serves over 130 guests each year.

They also created a low-barrier transportation program that provided nearly 4,000 rides last year alone — and they continue to serve as daily receptionists, drivers, bingo callers, and meal deliverers.

Their reach goes beyond seniors. They’ve partnered with churches, the library, schools, TREP, and other local nonprofits. In the summer of 2024, they helped distribute over 54,000 meals as part of the Two Rivers Hunger Task Force.

For nearly two decades of steadfast love, service, and community spirit, we are honored to present the 2024 Team Volunteer Award to the Friends of the Two Rivers Senior Center.

Dan Hassemer

2024 Volunteer Leadership Award

Since joining United Way’s Board of Directors in 2023, Dan Hassemer has contributed nearly 1,000 volunteer hours—and every one of them with integrity, insight, and a genuinely positive attitude.

Dan currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, where his thoughtful leadership and strategic questions have strengthened United Way’s financial health and internal capacity. Whether it’s helping staff work through budget questions, lending support at the Curd Crawl, or rolling up his sleeves at community events, Dan brings a steady, hands-on presence to everything he does.

And his impact doesn’t stop with United Way. Dan also volunteers with The Chamber of Manitowoc County, Lakeshore Balloon Glow, Roncalli Pier Side Auction Fundraiser, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Junior Achievement, and local schools.

For his outstanding engagement, his dependable leadership, and the care he brings to every project and partnership, we’re proud to present the 2024 Volunteer Leadership Award to Dan Hassemer.

Jenny Matte

2024 Volunteer of the Year Award

In just under three years, Jenny Matte has given more than 4,800 volunteer hours to support veterans and their families across Northeast Wisconsin — and nearly every one of those hours has been hands-on, heart-first service.

As co-founder and vice president of the Patriot Riders of America WI Chapter 2, Jenny has become the organizational heartbeat. She leads four major fundraising events each year, conducts weekly veteran check-ins, writes press releases, sets up media stories, and coordinates community outreach — all while keeping the books and running operations.

But it’s her personal touch that stands out most. Jenny hand-delivers gift bags to veterans in nursing homes, drives them to appointments, buys groceries, organizes birthday cards, and sits down for coffee when someone needs a friend. Her phone is always on, her heart always open.

Jenny doesn’t just serve veterans — she champions them, advocates for them, and reminds all of us to never take their service for granted.

It is our deep honor to name Jenny Matte the 2024 Volunteer of the Year.

Dave Estes

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

For over 24 years, Dave Estes has quietly moved through the halls of Froedtert Holy Family Memorial — not for recognition, but to serve. With nearly 7,000 hours of service, Dave has transported thousands of patients and visitors with compassion, care, and — believe it or not — trivia.

Every Monday morning, at 5 a.m. sharp, Dave shows up ready to ease anxiety with kindness and connection. He knows a hospital visit can be stressful, so he brings along a few well-placed trivia questions to distract, delight, and put people at ease.

But Dave does more than move people from Point A to B — he mentors new volunteers, calms nerves, and helps patients feel seen, safe, and informed. His empathy, attentiveness, and dry wit have made him a beloved presence at HFM.

For his decades of care and quiet leadership, we are honored to present the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award to Dave Estes.

Event Photo Gallery

Photography by Miller Highlights