United Way of Washington County presented John Duwell with the Clifford A. and Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award at the Champions of Change volunteer awards event Wednesday evening at the West Bend Mutual Prairie Center.
“John Duwell is so deserving of this award given his extensive volunteerism over decades in Washington County,” Kristin Brandner, Executive Director of United Way of Washington County, said.
Duwell has been an active volunteer for more than 30 years. He has spent countless hours working to champion community health, economic development, religion, youth, and the environment.
Duwell has advocated for education throughout his life. He spent 10 years on the West Bend School Board, served on the Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County and the West Bend Public Schools Foundation.
“It means more than you would think because the award is named after Cliff Neslon and he was a longtime friend and neighbor and mentor,” Duwell said. “Cliff and Betty are the sort of people, that when you grow up you want to be like them.”
Duwell currently volunteers in leadership positions at St. Paul’s UCC Church, West Bend COLUMNS, and West Bend Community Foundation.
Duwell said the United Way deserves to be praised for how it serves the community.
“The United Way is always there for organizations in need,” he said. “Organizations can apply to foundations and may get grants awarded to them but they can’t count on that. But the organization they can count on from year to year is the United Way.”
Duwell also credited the Volunteer Center for stepping forward and saluting the neighbors in the community.
“For the Volunteer Center to put this event together is wonderful,” Duwell said. “For all of the wonderful volunteers in this community it is very special.”
History note: The United Ways Volunteer Leadership Award was created to recognize and individual in Washington County who has demonstrated community leadership and a long-term commitment to volunteering. The award is named in honor of the late Cliff Nelson and his wife Betty, who are known for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of human service, civic, and arts organizations. Each year, past Nelson Award winners nominate and select a new recipient.
Past recipients of United Way’s Clifford A. and Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award:
2015 – Michael Bloedorn
2013 – Prudence Pick Hway
2012 – Elizabeth M. Nelson
2011 – Kevin Steiner
2010 – Nancie Heaps
2009 – John R. Dedrick
2008 – Andrew Gumm
2007 – Charlie & Gaytha Hillman
2006 – Robert Rolfs
2005 – Mo Josten
2004 – Ray Lipman
2003 – James W. Kieckhafer
2002 – Doug Ziegler
2001 – George Prescott
2000 – Thomas R. Bast
1999 – Rick Edwards
1998 – Jerry & Nancy Mehring
1997 – Sharon S. Ziegler
1996 – Vic Albiero
1995 – Bernard C. Ziegler
1994 – Helen Hillman
1993 – Judie Lewis
1992 – John B. Torinus, Jr.
1991 – John F. Rozek
1990 – Robert J. Steiner
1989 – Joan Pick
1988 – Clifford A. Nelson