Audio-Reader celebrates growth, service during annual dinner

LAWRENCE — Audio-Reader marked 44 years of growth during its annual volunteer appreciation dinner earlier this month. 

“Not only has Audio-Reader grown its coverage area, programming and technology, but volunteering gives volunteers the opportunity to grow personally,” said Jennifer Nigro, coordinator of volunteers.

The Oct. 13 event began with a keynote speech by William Hawkins, an Audio-Reader listener who recently joined the organization’s development committee.

“You have no idea the impact you have or the friends you make by doing this,” Hawkins said. “You are there for us.”

Following Hawkins’ speech, Audio-Reader honored 55 volunteers with a combined 690 years of service among them, including 16 who have been with the organization for 20 or more years.

Those honored for their years of service:

Five years

Lawrence: Jennifer Attocknie, Adam Desnoyers, Jennifer Forth, Goodwin Garfield, Paul Graves, Bob Hohn, Ruth Hughes, Sookyung Shin, Matt Suggs, Julie Trowbridge-Alford, Tom Van Fleet, Michelle Wickersheim, Jack Wilson and Deb Yager.

Eudora: Frank Male Sr.

Baldwin City: Barb Johnston.

Oskaloosa: Susan McGee.

Overland Park: Ron Bonesteel, Dan Compo and Lana Naegel.

Shawnee: Michael Hauber.

Prairie Village: Peter Knutson.

Pittsburg: Stephen Teller.

Kansas City, Missouri: Kelly Loeb.

10 years

Lawrence: Terry Betzen, Ann Dean, Pam Houston, David Kent, Harlanne Roberts and Haskell Springer.

Lecompton: Bonny Fugett.

Topeka: Deb Kirmer and Fred Miller.

Kansas City, Missouri: Betsy Parker.

15 years

Lawrence: Ann Chapman, Marilyn Daniels and Lisa Hallberg.

Pittsburg: Diana Kerle and Ed Koehler.

20 years

Lawrence: Rex Buchanan, Austin Turney, Eleanor Wenger and Marian Wilbur.

Topeka: Les Carlson.

Paola: Bettie Ore.

Georgetown, Texas: Peggy Sampson.

25 years

Lawrence: Lois Hanzlik, Kerry Magee, Max Mayse and Elaine Roberts.

Overland Park: Al Kaine.

30 years:

Lawrence: Gayle Matchett and Karen O’Keefe.

35 years

Lawrence: Bob Campbell and Darcy Schild.

Audio-Reader provides recordings of newspapers, books and magazines to people in Kansas and parts of Missouri who are blind or have other visual or physical impairments that prevent them from reading normal printed materials. For more information about the service call (785) 864-4600 or 1-800-772-8898. You can also visit the Audio-Reader website at http://reader.ku.edu.