Former Ripon minister honored with CHN’s Human Service Award

A long-time Ripon minister has been honored with Community Health Network (CHN) Volunteer Services 2002 Human Service Award.

Harley Tretow, a retired United Church of Christ pastor, has been part of the CHN Volunteer Services team as a Medical Office Building Escort/Host and Surgical Waiting Room Attendant at Berlin Memorial Hospital since 1997. Tretow was presented with the Award and a commemorative engraved mantle clock during the CHN Volunteer Services Appreciation Banquet in late April.

Employees and volunteers throughout Community Health Network advance the names of volunteers they wish to be considered for the special recognition, and then a volunteer committee selects the winner. Finalists for the 2002 award included Donna Albright; Richard and Bernice Carley; Laura Chier; Opal Clark; Irma Harke; Mary Ellen Krebsbach; Bob and June Leigh; Shirley McCarthy; Cathy Schmidt; Richard Schweder; Alice Seeliger; and Audrey Zamzow.

“Harley is a very caring and dedicated person,” said fellow volunteer and nominee Cathy Schmidt of Berlin. “He is a joy to work with. So many people know him, talk with him and enjoy seeing him as a volunteer.”

Teri Meyer, CHN’s Volunteer Coordinator, said Harley adds a special element to CHN’s group of 200-plus active volunteers.

“While all of our volunteers possess unique personalities and enthusiasm, Harley truly has the gift of combining volunteerism with personal compassion, spirituality and tenderness,” Meyer said. “Even after performing scheduled volunteer duties, this individual is always willing to go above and beyond – adding a personal touch by visiting patients who were former parish members and doing the invocations at CHN Volunteer Services events.”

Committed to helping others, CHN Volunteers provide more than 30,000 hours of service each year at Berlin Memorial Hospital and Juliette Manor in a variety of capacities, including Gift Shop Attendants;

Medical Office Building Hosts; Mobile Meals Drivers; Patient Escorts; and Surgical Waiting Room Attendants.

Anyone interested in joining the CHN Volunteer Services team, are encouraged to call Teri Meyer at (920)361-5522 or 1-800-236-1283 ext 5522.