Sue Husch has been recognized by Plaindealer readers for the past three years in the Best of Ouray County awards for “best volunteer.”
This is a particularly special award to receive, because it’s a write-in category, meaning the voters have to think of someone they want to vote for and enter their names – it’s not like we include a list of people to choose from. It’s no wonder Sue has been chosen more than once – she’s a force of nature, and it seems like she’s everywhere.
One minute, she’s serving beer for a nonprofit fundraiser, then she’s sitting in a meeting for an upcoming event, or taking tickets for another event.
At the awards reception earlier this spring, we joked with Sue that we would just name the award after her, since she’s now won it three years in a row. But she countered that she would like to highlight others in the community who volunteer, and talk to them about their experiences in a column in this paper. The goal is to recognize those who might not be as visible as Sue is in the community, but are doing the work that benefits us all.
So here it is – the first installment of Sue’s column, meant to spotlight volunteers who work to better the community in Ouray County. We have no idea how she has time to do this, but we’re happy she wants to contribute to the Plaindealer. Have an idea of someone who would make a good subject? Email erin@ouraynews.com with your nomination.
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Before Sveri Stromsta May moved to Ridgway, she had already made calls about starting to volunteer in her new community.
That was in 2021 – when she was retiring from her job teaching at Loy Norrix high school in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and getting ready to move her to be close to her daughter, Kerstin, and her husband, Andy.
In a profile written about her 39-year career for the school’s student newspaper, May noted she was already making preparations to keep volunteering through PeaceJam in her new community.
Three years later, she has helped high schoolers organize clothing drives, serve dinner at a homeless shelter and driven them to Ute and Navajo reservations to deliver supplies.
She’s got kids pulling weeds at the park, cleaning up camps for terminally ill children, and planting trees, among other community service jobs.
May has a gift for inspiring others to join in and better the community through service.
And that’s one of the reasons she’s been selected as the Ridgway-Ouray Community Council’s volunteer of the year.
She’ll be honored with that award at the ROCC annual barbecue, on June 28 at Ridgway State Park. You can still get tickets to the event, but you’ll need to buy them by June 23.
For tickets, visit https://www. roccnet.org/.
We hope you enjoy this Q&A with May from Sue Husch, which has been lightly edited.
– Erin McIntyre
What organizations do you volunteer for and how long have you been volunteering?
I have been volunteering for the past 65 years! Seriously, my family always helped wherever needed. Currently I am volunteering most for PeaceJam through Ridgway and Ouray schools, the Woman’s Club of Ouray County and Second Chance Humane Society.
What motivated you to get involved in volunteering?
My family history motivated me first. Back in Kalamazoo, I was asked a question like this when I was awarded the Star Award for Community Leadership and my response was, “Volunteer not because someone is watching you, but because it’s the right thing to do.” Volunteering makes me a better person.
Have you encountered any challenges or obstacles while volunteering, and if so, how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is funding. I can normally overcome it by inviting people to join us in community service. For instance if it’s a project for kids, I have the kids do presentations to groups or boards or management and when people can see kids making a difference, they often get excited and want to help, too.
Can you describe a memorable interaction or connection you’ve made through your volunteer activities?
Hmm, there are so many. Once in Tanzania, we were teaching kids to read and write because not all kids get to go to school there. There was a beat-up metal box with a UNICEF sticker on it that had been at the school a long time. I was able to explain to the Loy Norrix high school kids about the global impact of UNICEF. Then on a PeaceJam trip in Cape Town, South Africa, I had taught the Peacejammers what a rock star Archbishop Desmond Tutu was and they got to meet him! He was so kind and gentle and excited to meet the kids.
What skills or qualities do you think are most important for someone who wants to be an effective volunteer?
Compassion, patience, responsibility, humor, love for mankind, love of diversity, willingness to make a difference. And remember, there’s NO age limit on any of these!
What advice would you give to someone who is considering volunteering but may be unsure about where to start or what they have to offer?
Identify something you really enjoy and have a passion for … Gardening? People? Animals? Kids? Ask around to see if anyone is working in that arena and join in.
If not, start something!
What does volunteering mean to you personally, and why do you continue to dedicate your time and energy to it?
Volunteering offers connections around the world and lets me get to know my home. I have worked in probably 25 different places, each new & different. I learn so much from everything I do. Even little things can make a big difference (NestWatch is a cool one!) and you see real results. PeaceJam is open to all ages, which I appreciate. When kids know you value them, they find value and feel validated, too. If you have willing hands and a warm heart, you’re the right person to volunteer!
Check out peacejam.org if you would like to know more.
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IF YOU GO:
The Ridgway-Ouray Community Council’s ROCC’n by the River event is coming up on June 28, but the deadline to purchase tickets for the barbecue dinner is June 23.
This year’s event includes recognizing ROCC’s outstanding citizen of the year – Sveri Stromsta May – as well as music from Doug & Heather and a talk by Ben Goldfarb, an award-winning conservation journalist. His presentation, “How Road Ecology and Beavers Shape the Future of Our Planet,” will cover the ecological benefits of beavers and the impact of roads and highways on wildlife.
The riverside event, held from 4-8 p.m. June 28 at the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk pavilion, is open to the community. Buy tickets online at www.roccnet.org.
