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Lending a helping hand earns Gredler volunteer recognition

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Retired Janesville physician Gerry Gredler operates a mower at Rotary Gardens. Gredler has volunteered at the gardens about 80 hours a month for the last 15 years.

JANESVILLE — Gerald Gredler is one of the forces behind Rotary Gardens.

"He is a vital part of Rotary Gardens and has always been willing and able to undertake projects and duties as needed to maintain and improve the gardens," said Mark Dwyer, horticulture director at the 20-acre themed garden.

"His approach as a volunteer has always taken into account the best interests of Rotary Gardens," Dwyer said.

Gredler will be honored Tuesday, June 16, at The Gathering Place in Milton along with other 2009 Helping Hands award winners.

The 84-year-old retired orthopedic surgeon said he's embarrassed by the recognition.

"I'm doing what I like to do and don't consider I'm doing any great effort. Here I am sitting out in the sun. What could be better than that?"

Gredler is one of gardens' most active volunteers, wrote Angie Haber, gardens volunteer coordinator, in her nomination letter.

Gredler volunteers more than 1,000 hours a year at the gardens, where he has been involved for 15 years.

His does gardening, mowing, committee work and special event preparation. He previously was on the gardens' board of directors.

If you're a regular at the city landfill, you've probably seen Gredler there, too. He makes about 200 trips to the dump each summer, hauling debris in the gardens' dump truck.

"I'll drive the dump truck as long as I can lift the tailgate," he said.

Executive Director David Jennings said he enjoys watching Gredler cut grass at the gardens.

"It's such a pleasure to see the smile on his face while he is mowing," he said.

Jennings acknowledged Gredler's dedication.

"He goes above and beyond," he said. "Without the volunteers, we couldn't pay to have a staff big enough to have the gardens look the way it does."

That's the attraction for Gredler.

"I like to be outside and like to see a nice lawn. I think it sets off the flowers. It's really pretty. Sometimes in the morning, when I'm cutting the lower parker garden and the sun comes up through the trees, it's absolutely gorgeous."

"Dr. Gredler truly represents volunteerism in both an inspirational and almost fanatical way," Dwyer said. "His contributions don't just involve time but his expertise, energy level, and, of course, his pursuit of making Rotary Gardens a better place every day he is here."

Gredler said he plans to continue volunteering at Rotary Gardens as long as he's physically able.

"I look forward to coming down here usually almost every day," he said. "I'm accomplishing something."

HELPING HANDS WINNERS

The 2009 Helping Hands volunteer award winners of United Way of North Rock County's Volunteer Network Program are:

Adult Award: Ruth Anderson—Anderson has traced her genealogy to the Revolutionary War, so she knows the value of genealogy, and that is why you will find her at the Rock County Historical Society archives at least 12 hours every week. As a volunteer, Anderson oversees 3,000 Tallman family papers, about 12,000 bound volumes, 108 linear feet of manuscripts and clippings, 500 volumes of school and business records, over 20 cubic feet of maps, photograph collections, cemetery records and more. Two years ago, Anderson became volunteer archives supervisor. Since then, she has taken on the challenge of organizing society materials. In doing so, she determines how items are cataloged and is in the process of moving items into the electronic age so information can be retrieved more quickly.

Youth Award: Kimberly Rennie—Rennie has volunteered with the Hedberg Public Library for five years. Laurie Bartz of the library staff describes Rennie as an outstanding young volunteer. Rennie has helped children with the summer reading program, bake sales and fundraisers and helped children and adults create journals. She is president-elect of the library's teen advisory board.

Family Award: Maury and Kay Frey—Maury and Kay Frey like to stay active and that's good for Rotary Gardens, where they are dedicated volunteers. The Freys volunteer elsewhere, too. Kay is active with the Salvation Army Auxiliary, helping with Coats for Kids and its Christmas baskets. Maury is an active member of the Janesville Kiwanis Blackhawk Golden K Club in addition to playing bingo at Rock Haven and helping with the local Red Cross chapter's bloodmobile.

Volunteer Coordinator of the Year: Judith Detert-Moriarty—Detert-Moriarty knows one of the best ways to get acquainted with people in a community is through volunteering. That's why she volunteers with Stitch n' Bitch, the Democratic Party, Project Linus and the United Arts Alliance that she started in 1996 and has served as its president, vice president and secretary. She also has served on several UAA committees, including public relations, newsletter editor, Arts Resource Directory and Web site manager in addition to working with volunteers.

Senior Award: Sister Catherine Kelter—When Kelter, fondly known as Sister Katie, came to Janesville 25 years ago, she began volunteering right away. Her first experience was with ECHO. Soon afterward, she joined Nutrition and Health Associates, where she holds the title of longest volunteer and board president. She also has been vice president and chairwoman of its personnel committee plus served on the executive and program committees in addition to helping the agency develop its mission and strategic plan.

Business/Adult Group: Agard & Lipker—Every Wednesday for two years, employees from Agard & Lipker Dental have spent an hour with students from Jackson Elementary School as part of the Lunch Buddies program. In 2007, a Jackson School volunteer contacted Kelly Sanchez at the dental office and asked if she would like to volunteer for the Lunch Buddies program. She was interested and asked other employees to join her. Today, four employees and one of the employee's sons are role models for their Lunch Buddies.