The City of Cottage Grove has many volunteers, those who give of themselves for the greater good of the community. Two such volunteers were recently named for special recognition in an a banquet …
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The City of Cottage Grove has many volunteers, those who give of themselves for the greater good of the community.
Two such volunteers were recently named for special recognition in an a banquet April 17 at River Oaks Golf Course and Banquet Center, one an individual and the other a group. The individual volunteer of the year is Pastor Mark Wiggins. The volunteer group of the year is Mississippi Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
As for Wiggins, the long time volunteer leads Hope Community Church, having graduated from Crown College in 2012 and coming to hope in 2013. Married to wife Lindsay with three kids, Mark is a volunteer police chaplain with the Cottage Grove Police Department.
“Mark has really become a mainstay at our police department, Cottage Grove Community Impact Sergeant Mike McCormick shared of Wiggins. “They know that if things are crazy or if they need to confide in someone or have a more private conversation Mark can be that person for them.”
Other officers shared their thoughts as well, echoing McCormick.
“Your weekly check-ins have affected both my life and my family members lives,” Community Engagement Officer Ryan Pierre said in thanking Wiggins. Officer Ryan Sisterman echoed Pierre’s endorsement.
“Your volunteer work outside in the community has had a huge impact,” Officer Sisterman told Wiggins. “When you’re not there, it’s noticed.”
Pastor Mark is also a mentor at Crestview Elementary.
“You’re there for the good moments and not so good moments,” social worker Dawn Blackenship told Mark. “On behalf of the school community I want to way thank you. We wish you well.”
“When I’m volunteering, it’s a way to give back,” Mark says in response on the video highlighting him.
As for the volunteer group recognized April 17, Mississippi Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) is all about giving back.
“Being part of the ‘Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’ network is truly an honor,” Cottage Grove council member and BTYR member Justin Olsen says. “We have the opportunity to impact people’s lives who have served their nation honorable, either as military or family members of military veterans.” BTYR Past President Raymond Kane shared more.
“We have so many great people in our community,” Kane said. “This isn’t just an award for us but it’s an award for the community, everybody that helps us, because we can’t do it without the community. We have requests for folding laundry, all the way to car payments and house payments. It takes a village, and we’ve got a village out there.” BTYR Vice President Brad Peterson elaborated some of what BTYR does.
“We host a Christmas shopping event throughout the community where we identify families in need.” The group buys, wraps, and delivers the gifts, with two families helped a few years back adopting another family this past year.
“The best part about Cottage Grove is that they actually want to help our veterans,” Kane said. “We don’t have to beg. We just ask for help and they come running.”
“It makes me humbled to be surrounded by so many selfless, talented people who are interested in giving back.”
More information on joining Mississippi River Beyond the Yellow Ribbon can be found by going to www.mrvbtyr.org.
“Please reach out if this is something you think you would like to be part of as well,” Olsen said of BTYR, the group thanking the city for the award.
