8 Wednesday, August 14, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Kiwanis helps woman pursue her mission PHOTO BY GARY MILLER Sisters Habitat for Humanity operates on the work of volunteers. The organization honored them last week. Habitat volunteers honored While many new volun- teers have joined the Sisters Habitat for Humanity crew this year, one volunteer hung up his hat after more than 28 years serving the organiza- tion. Russell Williams, 96, was one of the first volunteers when Sisters Habitat was formed in 1991. He contin- ued to volunteer in the Thrift Store and then the ReStore until last month. Last week, he and the many other volunteers were honored at the 11th annual Sisters Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue. During the event 98 peo- ple, who have spent more than 100 hours of their time during the past year, were presented with cer- tificates from the President9s Volunteer Service award program. Two groups were also honored for their work with the housing organiza- tion; The Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280. A grand total of 252 people volunteered more than 27,000 hours at Habitat9s Thrift Store, ReStore, at the job Your Story MATTERS Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist The cost of exclusion A few weeks ago, along with millions of other Americans, I sat on a blan- ket, ate my pie, and watched the fireworks light up the sky. Patriotism is a loaded term 4 what it means is par- ticular to the individual. For site and serving on commit- tees. That9s the equivalent of one person working 14 years, Executive Director Sharlene Weed said. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e President9s awards, Connie Cross was presented with Sisters Habitat9s 1,000-hour club award. This club was formed in 2009, and since that time 102 Sisters Habitat vol- unteers have been inducted. The club was formed to honor volunteers who serve a cumulative 1,000 hours. Cross is a volunteer at the Thrift Store and spends her time pricing and organizing books. She also serves on the board of directors and a store committee.