Jefferson Awards - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Jefferson Awards nomination

The Jefferson Awards, sometimes called, "The Nobel Peace Prize for Volunteerism" was pioneered more than 30 years ago. WQOW is proud to bring the Jefferson Awards to the Chippewa Valley. If you or someone you know is making a difference in our community and deserves recognition, click here to nominate them by completing this online form. More>>

Jefferson AwardsMore>>
Jefferson Award Winner: Dale Weibel
Jefferson Award Winner: Dale Weibel
Eau Claire (WQOW)- Over the years Dale Weibel has handled hundreds upon hundreds of letters, but this mail carrier has delivered so much more to his community. Since 1995, Dale's tireless efforts haveMore >>
Over the years Dale Weibel has handled hundreds upon hundreds of letters, but this mail carrier has delivered so much more to his community.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Patti Stangel
Jefferson Award Winner: Patti Stangel
Colfax (WQOW)- Each month WQOW News 18 highlights a volunteer who is going above and beyond to make a difference in their community. Patti Stangel is helping in a unique way by caring for our furry andMore >>
Each month WQOW News 18 highlights a volunteer who is going above and beyond to make a difference in their community. Patti Stangel is helping in a unique way by caring for our furry and feathered friends.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Bill Arnsdorf
Eau Claire (WQOW)- Angels are hovering much closer than you may think. Bill Arnsdorf helps to head of a team of angels who've quietly been doing good in the community for 10 years. Along Graham AvenueMore >>
Angels are hovering much closer than you may think. Bill Arnsdorf helps to head a team that's quietly been doing good in the community for 10 years. He is our most recent recipient of the Jefferson Award for public service.
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Jefferson Award Winner: Ralph Coushman
Jefferson Award Winner: Ralph Coushman
Chippewa Falls (WQOW)- Many of us work to support a cause or a non-profit organization we believe in. Rarely though does that desire to help others span decades. Ralph Coushman has poured over 40 yearsMore >>
Ralph Coushman has poured over 40 years into making sure traffic flows smoothly and safely at schools in Chippewa Falls.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Janet Johnson
Jefferson Award Winner: Janet Johnson
Eau Claire (WQOW)- Over 30 years spent practicing a hobby has helped to keep thousands of Chippewa Valley newborns snug and warm. Knit one, purl two. Knit one, purl two. It's a mantra for Janet JohnsonMore >>
Janet Johnson has spent 30 years practicing a hobby that's helped to keep thousands of Chippewa Valley newborns snug and warm.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Larry Bradford
Jefferson Award Winner: Larry Bradford
Eau Claire (WQOW)- It may not be traditional but for over a decade, when the snow flies, Santa has swooped into the Chippewa Valley Airport on his motorbike. Larry Bradford joins other volunteers and militaryMore >>
Larry Bradford is a volunteer who shows us all that it doesn't have to be Christmas to spread a little love and cheer.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: John Finney
Jefferson Award Winner: John Finney
Eau Claire (WQOW)- John Finney is a man who took a dream and turned it into reality. What's special about this dream is that it was shared by many people. A group of volunteers and a young man diagnosedMore >>
John Finney is a man who took a dream and turned it into reality. What's special about this dream is that it was shared by many people. A group of volunteers and a young man diagnosed with cancer.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Larry Everson
Jefferson Award Winner: Larry Everson
Eau Claire (WQOW)- Larry Everson goes by many names. Some call him 'The Lean, Mean Biking Machine'. At an Eau Claire food bank he's known as 'The Great Ambassador'."I call him Feed My People's great ambassadorMore >>
Larry Everson goes by many names. Some call him 'The Lean, Mean Biking Machine'. At an Eau Claire food bank he's known as 'The Great Ambassador'.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Katie Rhoten
Jefferson Award Winner: Katie Rhoten
Eau Claire (WQOW)- At 13-years-old Katie Rhoten has faced more challenges than most people twice her age. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9, and then juvenile rheumatoid arthritis three yearsMore >>
At 13-years-old Katie Rhoten has faced more challenges than most people twice her age.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Carol Gienapp
Jefferson Award Winner: Carol Gienapp
Chippewa Falls (WQOW)- The impact an adult can have on the life of a child is a powerful thing. There may be no one who knows that better than Carol Gienapp."The Chippewa Area Mentor Program really startedMore >>
The impact an adult can have on the life of a child is a powerful thing. There may be no one who knows that better than Carol Gienapp.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Patty George
Jefferson Award Winner: Patty George
Mondovi (WQOW)- Patty George is a woman who is teaching the value of volunteerism to a new generation. She recently set out to revive the Hilltop Climbers, a Mondovi area 4-H group. "Kids are so involvedMore >>
Patty George is a woman who is teaching the value of volunteerism to a new generation. She recently set out to revive the Hilltop Climbers, a Mondovi area 4-H group.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Jerry Brost
Jefferson Award Winner: Jerry Brost
Chippewa Falls (WQOW)- Maybe you've head it said before: Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. Jerry Brost is a man who had some time on his hands after he retired he justMore >>
Maybe you've head it said before: Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. Jerry Brost is a man who had some time on his hands after he retired he just needed to find his passion project. Enter the Heyde Center for the Arts.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Mark Bischel
Jefferson Award Winner: Mark Bischel
Bloomer (WQOW)- You can imagine that the transition from living independently to a nursing home might be a difficult one. Mark Bischel frequents the halls of an area care center, his goal is to draw aMore >>
You can imagine that the transition from living independently to a nursing home might be a difficult one. Mark Bischel frequents the halls of an area care center, his goal is to draw a smile from the residents he calls family.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Verlyn Arneson
Jefferson Award Winner: Verlyn Arneson
Eau Claire (WQOW) - It's not often you find a volunteer as dedicated as the one you're about to meet. This man has devoted over a decade to helping others. We're introducing you to Verlyn Arneson, thisMore >>
It's not often you find a volunteer as dedicated as the one you're about to meet. This man has devoted over a decade to helping others. We're introducing you to Verlyn Arneson, this month's recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: LuAnn Hall
Jefferson Award Winner: LuAnn Hall
Generous to a fault, giving, the biggest hearted person you'll ever meet. Those are words used to describe LuAnn Hall.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Karen Supple
Jefferson Award Winner: Karen Supple
Ask any non-profit and you'll often find volunteers are at the heart of the organization. Volunteers like Karen Supple.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Sue Haigh
Jefferson Award Winner: Sue Haigh
After nearly six years of volunteering at Pedersen Elementary School in Altoona there isn't much Sue Haigh hasn't done.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Bill Tews
Jefferson Award Winner: Bill Tews
Being in the hospital, or under long-term care isn't easy for most people, or their families. It's a situation that comes with many emotions, including stress and sadness. One man is working to bring a different kind of emotion into the mix.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Kristin Faber
Jefferson Award Winner: Kristin Faber
Homework assignments, student teaching and hockey practice. For a college senior, and assistant hockey coach that's enough to make your head spin. But on top of that, this remarkable young woman sets aside hours out of her week to volunteer.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Inez Dascher
Jefferson Award Winner: Inez Dascher
There may be no need more basic than the clothes we wear. The shirts, pants and socks that we rely on, to keep us warm and dry. We're shining the spotlight on a woman with a big dream and an even bigger heart, working to keep the community around her warm.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Birney Dibble
Jefferson Award Winner: Birney Dibble
Tucked away in a corner of the local library you'll often find Birney Dibble and Paul Okooroji, in a room where these friends have met for the past 12 years.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Jim Mueller
Jefferson Award Winner: Jim Mueller
He's a volunteer who spends time in many different parts of the community, whether on the sidelines at a sporting event, volunteering at the local Boys & Girls Club or building sets for a local theatre production, Jim Mueller is there helping.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Tracy Nelson
Jefferson Award Winner: Tracy Nelson
A volunteer is someone willing and ready to help, many times at a moments notice. That description fits Tracy Nelson perfectly.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Fern Meisner
Jefferson Award Winner: Fern Meisner
This month WQOW News 18's Jefferson Award goes to Fern Meisner, and as you'll learn, to this volunteer age truly is nothing but a number.More >>
Jefferson Award Winner: Anthony DaBruzzi
Jefferson Award Winner: Anthony DaBruzzi
WQOW News 18, along with the Marshfield Clinic, is recognizing members of our community who make a difference in the lives of others with the Jefferson Awards for public service. The first recipient is Anthony DaBruzzi.More >>
Do you know someone working to make their community a better place?
Do you know someone working to make their community a better place?
The Jefferson Awards for public service began in 1972, based on the simple idea that one person can make a difference. Each month, we'll be choosing a recipient for the Jefferson Award, and we need your nominations.More >>

Inside News 18More>>
About the Jefferson Awards
About the Jefferson Awards
The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. They began in 1972 to create a Nobel Prize for public service. Today, their primary purpose is to serve as a "Call to Action for Volunteers" in local communities.More >>
History of the Jefferson Awards
History of the Jefferson Awards
Past Jefferson Awards national winners include: Alan Greenspan, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Day O'Connor, Joe Lieberman and Richard Daley.More >>
Past National Winners
Past National Winners
The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local. National winners represent a "Who's Who" of outstanding Americans. Local winners are "Unsung Heroes" — ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition. These winners come from our Media Partners, our Champions, and our Youth Service Initiative.More >>
Board of Selectors
Board of Selectors
The Jefferson Awards are run by the Board of Selectors. Members of the Board are leaders in every field of endeavor: government, the arts, education, entertainment, sports and business.More >>