Tecumseh, MI – In honor of National Volunteer Awareness month, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties announced their 2020 Volunteer of the Year recipient. Anne Walker, of Tecumseh, holds several volunteer leadership positions with the United Way and the Tecumseh community.
Anne is a valuable member of the United Way’s Lenawee Advisory Committee and has been the volunteer coordinator for their bi-annual Adrian Area Health Check events for the past 2 years. Anne was honored at the United Way’s 18th Annual Everyday Heroes Celebration held in Monroe County on March 11th. Each year the Volunteer of the Year is awarded at the beginning of this annual event.
Mrs. Walker’s husband, John, daughter Laura Wanke and granddaughter, Isabelle Wanke, were present for Anne’s surprise announcement. According to Anne, “My favorite part of serving on the United Way Advisory Board is connecting with the people United Way brings to the table to serve the people and needs of Lenawee County”.
United Way Executive Director, Connie Carroll states, “Anne is a wonderful person and a terrific volunteer. Everything she does, she does well and with great enthusiasm. That includes helping with and promoting United Way activities and events. The United Way and the Tecumseh community are blessed to have Anne Walker as a friend and supporter. Everyone who meets her, loves her.”
Anne is very active in many local community activities. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh, the hand bell and St. Andrew’s choirs, has held Deacon and Elder positions and currently co-manages the charitable “Mercy Fund” for the church. She is a board member of the new, local Fresh Food Initiative based out of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. She has chaired Tecumseh’s Appleumpkin Scarecrow contest for the past 7 years.
Known as a “Founding Mother” of the Tecumseh District Library, Anne helped form and co-chair the 2003 Tecumseh District Library’s Millage campaigns. She served two terms as a Library Trustee. In 2004 Anne and her husband John helped the City of Tecumseh Economic Development staff start community gardens in Tecumseh. For many years Anne delivered Meals on Wheels for the Department of Aging to her “peeps” on route 6 in Raisin Township. She has sung tenor in the Tecumseh Community Choir for many years, and has helped with the annual Habitat for Humanity Great Pasty Project Fundraiser since its beginning. She is also a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, helping to form the AKTION Club for developmentally delayed adults at the Adrian Hope Center, among other activities for the club. Anne commented, “You’re supposed to give back what you’ve been given. It’s not just for you. AND I can’t sit still!”
She lists Dr. Carleton Cook, who passed away at age 92 last year, as an inspiration to her. She sees him as a role model on how to live your life. She also adds that “Think global, act local is a lifelong motto, and your hardest critic may well be your best ally. Be open to others’ perspectives, and not quick to judge”.
Anne comes from a long line of first families in Ohio whose motto was “we build the community”. She has a long list of ancestors who did remarkable things in Ohio—ask her about them! She came to Michigan as a child, growing up in Ann Arbor where her father was a UM Law Professor. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University as an occupational therapist, eventually specializing in mental health occupational therapy. Her career took her from her first job working in an assisted living facility with seniors, to 12 years working with Children and Adolescents, to 13 years working with adults and forensic clients, stating “each setting and population taught me many important life lessons”.
Pictured (Left to Right): Granddaughter (Isabella Wanke), Daughter (Laura Wanke), Connie Carroll, Executive Director, and Anne Walker.
She also has a special place in her heart for seniors. Anne moved to Tecumseh in 1991, relocating from Ann Arbor. Anne lives in Tecumseh with her husband, John, a retired fiscal analyst. They have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She loves living in Tecumseh, where she says everyone is nice to you!
The United Way funds 12 local Lenawee County agency programs and serves as a donor designation vehicle for 30+ additional agencies. They also sponsor countywide 2-1-1 services, and coordinate Project Ramp, 2 annual Health Check events, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), and Day of Action programs and services. All funds raised in Lenawee County stay in Lenawee County. For more information about the GIVING AND LIVING UNITED, please call 517-264-6821, email lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org, or visit 136 E. Maumee St., Suite 15, Adrian, MI 49221 or go to www.unitedwayMLC.org.
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*Media courtesy of the United Way Monroe/Lenawee Counties*