Richard Jurvelin's life is Aktion-packed as a volunteer for Tesh, Inc. and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene.

Jurvelin's initial contact with TESH was more than 15 years ago. Annually, his Kiwanis Club helped and supported the TESH Celebration of Stars. It wasn't until 2003 that Jurvelin discovered that there was a Kiwanis Club strictly for adults with disabilities.

"Our club approached the TESH CEO and asked permission to establish an Aktion club at TESH," Jurvelin said. "The rest is history, as the club is now 10 years old.

Jurvelin is the liaison between the Aktion Club and his own Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene. Club members help them with their community service projects - food drives for the food bank, planting trees on Arbor Day, cleaning up a portion of the Prairie Trail, parking cars and helping during the annual TESH Hang-over-Handicap, just to name a few. Jurvelin also eagerly volunteers to help three of his fellow Kiwanians that are on staff at TESH. He helps during the Aktion club meetings or other times as necessary. Having served on the TESH board of directors from 2004 - 2010, and chairing in the 2009- 2010 year, he knows just how valuable volunteers are to the organization, especially during their special summer camp programs.

"Richard is just incredibly committed to further the mission of our organization," said J. Russ Doumas, Chief Executive Officer of TESH, Inc. "The interest he takes in our clients and wanting them to have the full range of opportunities and be active members of our community is amazing. He is a successful mentor because he has the gift of building strong relationships with our clients."

When asked how many years he has been volunteering, "I don't keep track," said Jurvelin. "I think I could be considered as a volunteer since the sixth grade as a crossing guard. When my wife and I returned to Coeur d'Alene in the early '90s we took the more 'traditional' volunteer efforts - Church, Children's Village (my wife in particular), Kiwanis, Windermere Community Service Day, support of Lutherhaven, Women's Gift Alliance, Family Promise, Fresh Start, TESH...." And the list goes on and on.

As a full-time real estate agent, Jurvelin's volunteer hours vary, but he believes giving back to others should be a part of one's life. "After I retired from the service, it seemed that it was now time to give back." Jurvelin proudly boasts, "I had good role models - my wife in particular, as well as my parents, and my wife's parents. My wife is the one who is the REAL volunteer who has a passion to help others."

Jurvelin appreciates the blessings that have been bestowed upon his family and volunteers. "God has provided me the desire and means (talents and treasures) to work with others to help and serve those who are in need - whatever that may be."

"At Tesh, I was involved in the process during the time they remodeled the facility - inside and out," Jurvelin says. "The thrill was obviously the new looks of the facility but more importantly, working with Tesh is a private, not-for-profit organization whose core purpose is to provide choices and opportunities to people with disabilities of all ages seeking greater opportunities, self-sufficiency, and participation in their community.

"Watching others apply their skills and talents to complete the project is a real rush - the excitement, enthusiasm, and comradeship displayed by the Aktion Club members can make your day!"

Richard Jurvelin was born and reared in Spokane. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene High where he met his wife and was also a graduate of the University of Idaho. He retired from the U.S. Army after 26 years. He is a father of two great daughters (oh, and two cool son-in-laws), and has seven grandchildren.

Volunteer Opportunity: Heritage Health seeks Homeless Healthcare Volunteers

Heritage Health, formerly Dirne Community Health Center, is seeking Homeless Healthcare Volunteers to provide assistance with the administrative tasks associated with managing and gathering data on local resources used by our case managers. These volunteers will have "in-person" contact with referral sources (sites) to ensure they exist and are safe. They will research access to benefits and provide assessment, manage advertising to clients, and organize donations. Some filing and data entry is required.

This position could utilize three volunteers per day for eight hours a day, and four volunteers on Wednesday. Times are flexible, but demanding. Volunteers must commit to winter months, a six-month period, at least four times per month.

Also available, Administration Volunteer. This volunteer will be helping with office duties: filing, data entry, processing mail, correspondence. Training provided. Flexible hours, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Position requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per month for a three-month period.

Please visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to view other volunteer opportunities in YOUR community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112, Ext. 101.

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The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center

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(208) 667-8112

Visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website: www.kootenaiunitedway.org

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