2025 March Volunteer of the Month - Dawn Henseler

Seniors and others in Yankton benefit from Dawn Hensler’s contagious smile and positive attitude! Dawn Henseler is a key volunteer and a current member of The Center’s Board of Directors. Dawn has a wealth of knowledge and experience with Seniors and their needs. She volunteers at all The Center’s Pancake Feeds usually helping in the kitchen with making pancake or French toast batter. She is generally one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. She also helps during Rib meals as a cashier. Dawn is wonderful at recruiting family members and friends to come to help at events she volunteers for.

Besides volunteering 200+ hours a year at The Center, Dawn is also a member of the United Way’s Southeast South Dakota RSVP Advisory Council and serves on the Yankton Coalition on Aging.

Dawn always has such a positive outlook on everything she does. Her volunteerism is a selfless act. She puts in many hours at her full-time job, and she still always makes time for volunteering at The Center and in the community. In fact, one of her children came with her to volunteer one night and he said, "Do we have to volunteer tonight" and Dawn promptly said "Yes, we get to volunteer tonight".

Kriss Thury, Executive Director at The Center said, “Dawn's volunteering has strengthened her ties with the community, exposed her to fun and fulfilling activities, all of which align with her values. Dawn was made to make an impact on the lives of many and is so deserving of this award.”

Because of her commitment to making the lives of our seniors and others better and happier, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton was honored to present Dawn Henseler with the March 2025 Volunteer of the Month Award during The Center’s annual “Rock-a-thon” event.

We asked Dawn to share more about her volunteerism, in her own words:

I have lived in the Greater Yankton area since: I was thirteen years old (minus a few semesters when I left for college).

I began volunteering while earning my bachelor's degree in social work from the University of South Dakota in 2004. At that time, I joined Big Friend Little Friend, Inc. I continued that mentoring relationship during nursing school at Mount Marty College and have just continued to volunteer ever since!

I volunteer at The Center- as a member of the board of directors, am a participate of the annual Rock-A-Thon, and provide a helping hand for Wednesday evening meals (Pancake Night and Rib Night). RSVP- advisory council member. Coalition on Aging- group organizer/member. Yankton School District- volunteer at Beadle School in 1st grade. United Church of Christ member. Yankton Youth Soccer Association- assist where needed.

Approximate hours per year that I volunteer is 200+ hours per The Center, but I don’t like to keep track because then it would be considered work. 😊

Volunteer work is enjoyable because It is an opportunity for me to give of my time without having to worry about a financial commitment. When I volunteer, I get to put a smile on my face and complete tasks while having fun doing what I love, caring for people. I can be myself while spreading cheer to the people around me!

My best volunteer experience was Giving of my time to Big Friend Little Friend and building that long-lasting relationship with my "little friend", her family, and all the members of that organization. But honestly there is not just one moment, it is THE PEOPLE of all my volunteering that has given me the best experiences! I am thankful for all of the relationships I have made over the years.

The advice I would give to those thinking about getting out there and volunteering in their communities is: Just say YES!! I have never regretted any of my time volunteering. From young to old, humans to animals, food to fresh air, there are endless opportunities to volunteer your time.

Thank you, Dawn, for all you do!

To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email info@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766